Best Photo Spots in Mawlynnong
Mawlynnong is a village of close-up detail rather than grand views: swept lanes, bamboo bins, flowers and old roots. Shoot early, before the day cars arrive from Shillong, and let the green of the forest do the work.
Low crowdEntry Nominal
Balancing Rock
- Best timeLate morning, when light reaches under the trees and shows the gap beneath the boulder; afternoon is fine too, as the spot is rarely busy.
- ColorsRustCreamForest green
Low crowdEntry Free
Church of Epiphany
- Best timeEarly morning, when the garden is quiet and soft light falls on the front of the church; late afternoon for warmer colour on the walls.
- ColorsCreamMaroonForest green
Medium crowdEntry Nominal (village fee)
Mawlynnong Village
- Best timeEarly morning, before the day cars arrive, when the lanes are empty and soft light falls through the trees onto the flowers.
- ColorsRoseCreamForest green
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Riwai Living Root Bridge
- Best timeEarly morning, when the stream is in soft shade and the bridge is empty; late afternoon for a quieter second chance.
- ColorsForest greenRustCream
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Sky View Tower
- Best timeMorning on a clear day, when the haze over the Bangladesh plains is at its lightest and the canopy is lit from the side.
- ColorsCreamForest greenTeal
How the light works here
The village sits under tall trees on a slope facing south. Morning light comes in low through the leaves and picks out the flower beds and the stone paths. By late morning the tour cars from Shillong and Dawki arrive, and the lanes fill. Midday is flat and bright, better spent under the canopy at the root bridge, where the light is soft all day. After the monsoon, from October, the air is often clear enough to see the Bangladesh plains from the tower. In late winter a haze can settle over the plains.
The five spots
- The village lanes: flower beds, bamboo dustbins and stilted houses. Work in the first two hours of the day.
- Riwai living root bridge: a single-span bridge of rubber-fig roots over a stream. Shoot from the stream bank below, not from the bridge.
- Sky View tower: a tall bamboo platform with a view over the canopy. Needs a clear day.
- Balancing Rock: a boulder on a small stone. Get low to show the gap.
- Church of the Epiphany: a small church from the early 1900s with a garden in front.
People and homes
Every house you photograph is a home, and many families sit out on their verandas. Ask before you photograph a person, and never walk into a garden for a better angle. Children are used to cameras, but a parent's nod is still the right thing to get.
Planning the day
Riwai is a few kilometres from the village, so do the root bridge first thing, then the lanes, the church and the rock on foot, and the tower last. On Sundays the village is closed to day visitors, and the tower shuts too. In the monsoon, a lens cloth and a rain cover matter more than any lens.
Questions
Mawlynnong — FAQ
When can you see Bangladesh from the Sky View tower?
On clear days, most often after the rains from October to December and on fresh mornings after a shower. In late winter a haze can hide the plains, and in the monsoon cloud often covers the view completely.
Can I photograph the houses and people in Mawlynnong?
The lanes are public and you can photograph them. Ask before you photograph a person, and stay out of gardens and verandas unless you are invited in.
Can I see all five photo spots in one visit?
Yes, in three to four hours. The lanes, church, rock and tower are close together on foot; the Riwai root bridge is a short drive away, followed by a walk down to the stream.
Is the root bridge worth photographing in the monsoon?
The stream is fuller and the moss is greener, so the pictures can be better. The steps and roots are slippery, though, and the rain rarely stops for long. Wear shoes with grip and keep your camera covered.