8 Must-Visit Tourist Places in Guwahati

Guwahati is a beautiful paradox, a cosmopolitan city in Assam that is connected to Mother Nature. The ponds, temples, palm trees, colonial-era mansions, and the one-storey conventional houses make for a never-ending panoramic sight as you traverse through the city.

You have a plethora of places to visit in Guwahati to learn and understand the true essence of this Northeastern city. From discovering its rich cultural background while touring the city to the sound of the river gushing, the birds chirping, or the rustling of leaves – all of this surrounds you with a serenity that refreshes your mind and soul. If you plan to explore the city, here is the list of 8 tourist places in Guwahati that will leave you enamored:

1. Peacock Island

Start your Guwahati travelogue with the spirit of adventure!

The Peacock Island can be reached from Umananda Ghat by riding in a ferry. Don’t worry as it is just a 15-minute affair. The island itself is one of the best places to visit in Guwahati, and it only gets better when you visit the Umananda Devaloi situated on it. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is thronged by devotees and tourists with great fervour. Your arrival at the temple is rewarded with a mesmerizing view of the Brahmaputra River. And once you enter, you’ll see remarkable sculptures and paintings all around you!

While the temple is already quite popular, it looks at its striking best when Shivratri beckons. Don’t miss out on visiting this place with your family and friends.

 2. Kamakhya Mandir

You need to tread a spiraling road to reach the Kamakhya Temple. Having its origins in the 6^th century, the temple is one of the best places for sightseeing in Guwahati. Legend has it that the yoni fell off Sati’s (Shiva’s wife) deceased body here on the Nilachal Hill that’s located 8 km from central Guwahati. This happened during the time when Lord Shiva was scattering the pieces of the deceased body of Sati.

After you visit the temple, you can also walk up for 10 minutes to the underrated Bhubaneswari Mandir. It is believed that the head from the deceased body of Sati landed at that very spot.

3. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Home to about 2000 wild water buffaloes, 130 one-horned rhinoceroses, and around 2000 migratory and resident bird species, the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to visit in Guwahati. The place demands a complete day to fully explore it. You can take up the one hour-jeep safari to tour the sanctuary. When visiting this place, make sure you avoid the monsoon season as the sanctuary is closed at that time. The proper date of the opening and closing of the sanctuary varies from year to year.

4. Assam State Museum

The Assam State Museum appeals to history buffs with its huge colonial-era building. It houses a massive medieval sculpture collection and the tribal-cultural displays (on the upper floor). For a sneak-peek into the rural life of Assam, you can head to the Village Life of Assam section where you get to see reconstructed tribal homes. The museum is sure to find its place in your list of tourist places in Guwahati to delve deeper into the Assamese culture.

5. Christ Church

Being one of the oldest churches of Northeastern India, the Christ Church was found in the year 1844. This highly attractive church was rebuilt two times, 1856 and 1897 when earthquakes shook Guwahati. Having a beautiful view of Nehru Park in the surroundings, the church is easily one of the best tourist places in Guwahati.

6. Dighalipukhuri Park

The understated beauty of the Dighalipukhuri Park will leave you enamoured. Being one of the most important sightseeing places in Guwahati, the park offers boating facilities in the lake of the park. The lake once served as a naval harbour and was a part of a channel to the Brahmaputra. If you head towards the north end of the park, you will see an open-air War Memorial, showcasing a fighter jet, rockets, and a tank.

7. Ugratara Mandir

The Ugratara Mandir is the spot where Sati’s navel is said to have fallen. Vibrant red in colour, the temple is situated at the northwest end of the scenic Jorpulkuri Ponds. A great tourist attraction, this temple is prime among the must-visit tourist places in Guwahati.

8. Guwahati Planetarium

Situated on MG Road and one of the most interesting places to visit in Guwahati, the Guwahati Planetarium is a go-to destination for those who wish to know about the vast universe that we are a part of. If you wish to attend some sky watching sessions conducted by experts, you can head to the planetarium. You can also catch a show on the dome-shaped projector screen at the planetarium.

Tourist places near Guwahati

If you still have time on hand after exploring these places, head out to these splendid tourist places near Guwahati:

Kaziranga National Park

Two-thirds of the world’s population of one-horned rhinoceros is present in the Kaziranga National Park. One of the most popular tourist places to visit near Guwahati, the park also houses elephants, swamp deers, Chinese pangolins, wild buffalos, flying squirrels, Bengal foxes, and Chinese pangolins, etc. The park can be best explored in either SUVs or jeeps to take you on a full-blown safari.

Mawsynram

Located at a distance of 138 kilometers from the city of Guwahati is a village called Mawsynram. It is one of the most compelling tourist places to visit near Guwahati. Interestingly, Mawsynram happens to be one of the wettest places on Earth, thus making it a haven for rain lovers. It does take a bit of time to get to, but the brilliance of the destination makes it worth the effort.

When you chart out on the places to visit in Guwahati, you get to witness this northeastern wonderland at its indigenous best. Be it the immaculate views of the Brahmaputra River or the scenic temples, this city makes for the perfect setting for creating myriad experiences. Find out about Guwahati travel packages that will let you explore, and get started on your Guwahati vacay.