Malki Point in Shillong is a residential road junction in the Malki locality, one of the city's oldest inhabited areas, sitting a short 2-3 km from Police Bazar, the main city centre. On its own, it's an ordinary crossing of streets. What makes it worth knowing is what sits directly behind it: Malki Forest, a stretch of tall, colonial-era pine trees reachable on foot within minutes of the junction itself.
Locals call the forest Khlaw Malki, and it's one of the few pockets of Shillong that still feels genuinely wild, unmarked trails, small streams, birdsong replacing traffic almost as soon as you walk in. For those wanting more than a short walk, the trails eventually connect onward toward Shillong Peak, turning a casual stroll into a proper trek if you have the time for it.
If you've got a free morning in Shillong on your Meghalaya trip, it's worth the detour, few visitors know it's there, and even fewer walk in. This guide covers Malki Point and the forest it leads into: what to expect, how to reach it, what to do once you're there, and everything else worth knowing before you go.
Quick Facts About Malki Point, Shillong
- Malki Point, Shillong location: Malki, Shillong, Meghalaya 793001
- Type: Residential locality in Shillong, and the trailhead into Malki Forest
- Entry fee: Free
- Ideal time needed: 1–2 hours for a forest walk, longer if trekking further
- Best for: Quiet walks, colonial-era pine forest, photography, escaping the main tourist crowd
What is the History of Malki Point?
Malki has been one of the Khasi people's residential areas in Shillong for generations, long before the city became Meghalaya's capital. When the British established Shillong as a hill station and administrative centre in the late 1800s, Malki sat on its southern edge, alongside the government forest and Laban, and it grew into a genuine crossroads linking different parts of the growing town.
A few history and facts about Malki Point worth knowing before you go:
- The pine trees that now define Malki Forest were largely planted during colonial rule, part of the same forestry efforts that shaped much of Shillong's green cover
- Malki Point itself functions as a locality and junction rather than a single landmark, so "visiting" it usually means walking into the forest behind it
- The area has stayed largely residential, giving it a quieter, more local feel than Shillong's postcard attractions
Locals still describe Malki Point in Shillong as a place that connects Shillong's past and present, colonial-era trees standing over a neighbourhood that's been lived in for well over a century, the kind of layered detail that rarely makes it into standard Meghalaya tourism coverage.
What's Behind Malki Point: A Walk Into Malki Forest
Malki Forest is the reason most travellers come to Malki Point, Shillong in the first place. It's a stretch of tall, colonial-era pine trees with no fixed entry point and ticket counter. The Malki forest trails are unmarked so you simply walk in and find your own way through.
It’s a genuinely quiet spot that's popular with locals for walks, photography, and even the odd film shoot. Further in, these trails eventually connect onward toward Shillong's viewpoints for those wanting a longer trek.
- Malki forest location: Directly behind Malki Point, in the Malki locality, Shillong
- Malki forest timings: No fixed hours, open daylight access only, best avoided after dark
- Malki forest entry fee: None
Activities To Do at Malki Point, Shillong
1. Street photography: Malki Point sits at a busy junction where several streets meet. Capturing everyday Khasi life, local shops, and the area's older colonial-era buildings is one of the best things to do in Shillong for photographers.
2. A walk through the neighbourhood: Malki is one of Shillong's oldest residential localities. Taking a slow walk around it is one of the best activities to do at Malki Point to see how daily life here contrasts with the city's busier tourist stretches.
3. A pause for the view: Sitting on slightly elevated ground, the point itself offers a pleasant, informal view over parts of the surrounding hills, no formal viewpoint or facilities, just a good place to stop.
Things to do Beyond Malki Point
1. Birdwatching in Malki Forest (Khlaw Malki): Pine cover and small streams draw a good variety of local birds, best spotted early morning.
2. Picnicking among the pines: A popular, informal picnic spot for locals; no benches or facilities, so carry your own supplies.
3. Spotting wildflowers and streams: Seasonal wildflowers, mushrooms, and small streams dot the forest floor beyond the main pine cover.
4. Trekking onward to Shillong Peak: Trails from Malki Forest connect toward Shillong Peak, a 2-3 hour trek for those wanting more than a casual walk.
A practical note: if heading into the forest, go with at least one other person. It's generally peaceful, but the trail is unmarked, and a few visitors have mentioned feeling uneasy walking in completely alone, especially later in the day.
Malki Point, Shillong Timings for Visitors
There's no official opening or closing time, since Malki Point and the forest behind it are open, unticketed public space. That said:
- Best visiting window: Early morning to late afternoon, daylight hours only
- Avoid after dark, there's no lighting through the forest trail
- No entry fee, unlike Shillong Peak or other formal viewpoints nearby
How to Reach Malki Point in Shillong
Malki Point sits close to central Shillong, making it an easy add-on rather than a separate trip.
- From Shillong city centre (Police Bazar): Roughly 2–3 km, a short taxi or auto ride
- Police Bazar to Malki Forest distance: Around 3 km from the main Police Bazar market area, about 10–15 minutes by road
- By taxi/auto: Widely available and inexpensive from anywhere in central Shillong
- On foot: Feasible if you're staying nearby in Laitumkhrah or Rilbong, both within walking distance
Top 6 Attractions Nearby Malki Point For A Full-Day Trip
Malki Point is close enough to several tourist places in Shillong that it fits naturally into a half-day loop.
1. Ward's Lake (~1 km, 12 min walk)
Ward’s Lake is a horseshoe-shaped colonial-era lake with a Japanese-style bridge and boating, the easiest walkable stop after a Malki Forest trail, especially if you want to sit down after the uneven forest ground.
2. All Saints' Cathedral (~2 km)
A Gothic-style Anglican church built in 1902, rebuilt after an 1897 earthquake, known for its wooden interiors and stained glass, worth timing around the Sunday 9 AM service if you want to see it in active use rather than just as a building.
3. Lady Hydari Park (~1.5 km)
Lady Hydari Park is a landscaped colonial-era park with a small mini-zoo and deer enclosure, a gentler, more manicured green space compared to Malki Forest's unmarked trail.
4. Don Bosco Museum (~2.5–3 km)
Don Bosco Museum is a seven-storey museum spread across 17 galleries covering tribal history from across Northeast India, the best indoor stop if you want context on Khasi culture before or after walking through Malki.
5. Wankhar Entomology Museum (~3 km)
A small, privately-run butterfly and moth museum inside a family home in Riatsamthiah, running since the 1930s, a quick, offbeat 20-30 minute stop most tourists skip entirely.
6. Shillong Peak (~10 km)
For those extending the walk into a full trek, trails from the Malki area eventually connect toward this higher viewpoint over the city, though most visitors reach it by road rather than on foot.
Between these, attractions near Malki Point cover almost every type of Shillong sightseeing, colonial history, nature, and culture, within a short radius.
Best Time to Visit Malki Point, Shillong
- October to May for the clearest weather and driest trail conditions. This window lines up closely with the best time to visit Shillong overall, so it's easy to plan around the rest of your trip too.
- Plan for early morning for the best light through the pines and a quieter forest
- Avoid peak monsoon (June–September) if trekking, the forest floor gets slippery and visibility drops.
Expert Tips for Visiting Malki Point, Shillong
- Wear proper walking shoes, the forest floor is uneven and unmarked in places
- Carry water, there are no shops or stalls inside the forest itself
- Combine it with Ward's Lake or Don Bosco Museum for a fuller half-day in this part of Shillong
- Respect the space, it's a residential and forested area, not a commercial tourist site
- Go with a friend or join our Meghalaya group trip if trekking further into the trail system, it's easy to lose your bearings without a fixed path.
