It’s time for Shillong’s cherry blossom festival

If you missed the cherry blossom season in Japan, Paris or DC, you won't have to wait till next year. You won't have to burn a hole in your pocket on your travels either, or deal with, ugh, visas. Shillong is all set to host the fourth edition of its India International Cherry Blossom festival from 13 November to 16 November 2019.

Cherry blossoms in Shillong, Meghalaya

And the experience is no less authentic than cherry blossom festivals elsewhere. Pretty-in-pink blooms awash cherry blossom trees and the whiff of barbeque fills the air.

That's not it. There's more to keep you entertained—music gigs, a beauty pageant and stalls showcasing the cuisine, wine, arts and crafts of the region. Did we mention some sumptuous Korean barbeque and K-pop music? You can also take a walk under the beautifully lit up cherry blossom trees in the night sky and enjoy a fine dining experience at Ward's Lake, from 4pm to 8pm. Other entertainment will include rock concerts, traditional folk music, unplugged western music, and dance performances by natives of North East India. What's more, there will be bicycle rallies, taekwondo demonstrations and storytelling sessions. If you own a golf kit, bring it along to participate in an amateur tournament. This year, you can also participate in a cherry blossom photography competition. Photos, both old and new, will be accepted.

Shillong's pink bounty is a gift from the Himalayas. The cherry blossoms—or Prunus cerasoides, as they are called—span across the east and west Khasi Hills. The bloom marks the beginning of autumn in northeast India.

The cherry blossoms have already started to appear in the upper altitudes of Shillong, and will be in full bloom in time for the festival, according to Albert Chiang, scientist, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, a co-organiser of the event. Who's going?

Getting there: You can fly to Shillong from some major cities through Kolkata, though it's more convenient to fly through Guwahati and drive 3 hrs to Shillong. If you're planning to hire a self-drive from Guwahati to Shillong, consider that the bylanes in the town are narrow and steep, and traffic can be maddening—a 2km stretch can take up to an hour at peak times, and there are barely any parking spots in the main area.