Guwahati

Guwahati is the largest city in Assam, Northeast India. It used to be the capital before it moved to the planned city of Dispur.

Excavations trace the origins of the city to around the 6th century and it was the capital of Assam until the 10th century. Currently, the city has a population of around one million, making it the largest city in the state and its main center for shopping and business, attracting people from all over the north east as well as from Eastern Bhutan. The slow, meandering Brahmaputra River is a focal point of the downtown while the lush hills of the Shillong Plateau provide a verdant backdrop for the suburbs. The pleasant environment, however, is somewhat tempered by the lack of investment in the region, which is apparent from the low quality of roads. Still, despite the weak infrastructure, private investors have been drawn to the city in recent years and there has been something of a boom in the construction of shopping malls and high quality condominiums, which has helped raise the economic profile of the city.
Guwahati's climate is subtropical. Summers last here from April to May, monsoons from June to September and winters from October to March. Temperatures here approximately range between 19°C and 26°C. 161.3 cm is the average yearly precipitation level here. Humidity is more than 80/90% often.

How to go to Visit Guwahati?

By plane

Guahati has daily flights from Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, and twice weekly flights connecting to Mumbai and Bangkok. There are connections to most North East Indian cities from Guwahati. Alliance Air, Jet Airways and Kingfisher fly to Silchar, Dimapur, Dibrugarh, Aizawl, Imphal and Agartala while the hill resort cities of Shillong and Tura are connected by regular scheduled helicopter services run by Pawan Hans.

By train

Guwahati is connected by train with major cities like Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram,Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Mumbai.

By car

By road - NH-31, NH-37 and NH-40 pass through Guwahati. It is a three hour drive to the Bhutanese border town of Samdrup Jongkhar.

By bus

It is connected to all major cities of North East India by bus. There are overnight bus services for Kohima, Imphal, Itanagar, Siliguri.

By boat

Luxurious vessels with A/C upper deck connecting Guwahati to Dibrugarh passing through Kaziranga & Tezpur.

Sightseeing in Guwahati.

By Bus

Bus is the cheapest way of travelling around the city. Guwahati is well connected to most of its city area with local service buses, with air conditioned bus service having recently begun between the airport and the city.

By auto

Compared to other cities in India, autos charge a hefty price for the ride. There is no meter system used by the autos, the auto driver will simply refuse to drive you if you insist on the meter - the best you can do is negotiate in advance ( check with a local on what it should cost you). Small distance charges are high.

By Motorbike

Hire Moterbike for Sightseeing aroung Guwahati.

River crossing

If you can not go on the river cruise, at least cross the river on the ferry. Ferries provide transport to the local people - they leave the jetty at Fancy bazar every half an hour and the round trip will take around 45 minutes. Tickets are rs.3/- one way. It's a simple way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the river Brahmaputra.

Hotels and place to stay in Guwahati.

Brahmputra, Panjbari, Sixmile (Near Kalakshetra). Small family hotel. Clean rooms, simple food, nothing fancy but economical.

Hotel Suradevi, M.L.N Road (Pan Bazaar),+91 361 254 5050. Slightly out of the action, but a decent budget choice with a restaurant. Rs 100, Rs 150 w/private bath, Rs 230 w/TV.

Hotel Brindavan, Paltan Bazar, M E Road (3 min walking distance from Rly Station),+91 361 291 2222. checkout: 12 noon. Rs 400/- to 1,400/-.

Hotel Nova, S.S. Road (Fancy Bazaar), +91 361 251 9465. A decent mid-range choice, it is centrally located, reasonably clean and friendly, and has a good restaurant on site. Hot running water, TV with satellite connection, same-day laundry available. Rs 750-1,500, A/C rooms Rs 1,350-1,850.

Brahmaputra Ashok Landmark Hotel Nandan Hotel President Hotel Brindavan -500/- to 1400/- Belle View Hotel Vishwaratna Hotel Maruti Hotel Rituraj Hotel Rialto Near Pan Bazer Rs 1,000-1,800

Hotel Dynasty, S.S. Road (Lakhotia), +91 361 251 6021. Centrally located, warm and comfortable, and the staff are friendly. Tandoor is one of the two in-house restaurants, and a good place to splurge on food in the city, with live music in the evenings. Rooms Rs 3400-5000, Suites Rs 8000-15,000.