Parks are excellent picnic locations for spending time with family and friends. It’s also a fantastic place for kids to play and explore. It is a sense of freedom that one can experience while enjoying hours in the park.
Location of Ialong Park
The ialong park must be visited while exploring the Jaintia Hill district of Meghalaya. It is unquestionably a must-see on your travel itinerary. Ialong Park is an eco-park located in Ialong village, near Jowai in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills district. The Jowai Bus Stand is only 7 kilometers away from the eco-park. It can be found on the Jowai-Silchar highway.
Ialong Park is regarded as one of the most beautiful places to visit while in Jowai. It is also very popular with tourists. The fact that it is an eco-park enhances the exploration experience.
Ialong Park has a total area of 12.80 hectares. It is known for its sacred grooves, which distinguish it from other parks. Aside from the scenic beauty that this park offers its visitors, the ialong park provides a spectacular view of the Pynthorwah Valley. Aside from the breathtaking view of the Pynthorwah valley, the ialong park also provides a picturesque view of the paddy fields on the banks of the River Myntdu.
Ialong Park plays a significant role in the development of the Jaintia Hills district and the increase in tourism, which results in revenue generation for the state. This eco-park contributes to the beauty of Meghalaya by enhancing the greenery and beautification of not only the respective district but also the entire state. The Ialong Park is constantly renovated and adorned by the District Administration under the Special DRDA Tourism Project in order to maintain and improve its development.
The eco-park is well-equipped with water dams, toilets, canals, changing rooms, and other amenities that are a standard requirement in any park. The overall experience of the venue is designed to maximize the satisfaction of tourists visiting this park by providing all necessary amenities. These necessities not only enhance the experience but also ensure the tourists’ sanitation and hygiene. It increases the state’s goodwill.
Aside from the basic requirements, Ialong Park has been embraced by a diverse range of flora. Even some of the most common native flowers have been used to decorate the eco-park. Tourists can sit on the grassy slopes and gaze out at the park’s mesmerizing sunset. It is an ideal location for getting away from the stresses of everyday life.
The park also made travelers’ nest possible. The Tourism Cooperative Society Limited manages and operates it. It offers a cozy yet comfortable stay in nature. One has an excellent opportunity to stay in nature’s home and enjoy the beauty that surrounds them.
Isn't that wonderful?
Ialong Park also has camping and trekking choices along the meandering Myntdu Rive. Except during the monsoon season, it is set up all year. Aside from that, the park hosts monthly archery competitions for both locals and tourists. It is a fun experience that both tourists and locals enjoy to the fullest.
Tourists who are lucky enough will be able to witness the ‘noh sakyriet’ dance, which is performed here. The performers in his dance hold opposing ends of a wooden pole (a smoothed tree trunk) suspended diagonally on another pole driven to the ground. The visuals of the ‘noh sakyriet’ dance are unparalleled, resembling the rotating rotors of a helicopter or a merry-go-round. Another intriguing fact about the dance is that it is only performed in Ialong.
Isn't that a rare experience to get acquainted with?
This incredible eco-park is regarded as one of the best-rated parks in Meghalaya. The months of November and June are ideal for visiting this location.
Aside from visiting the ialong park, one can also take a detour to the Ialong Village. The highway leading to this village is filled with scenic stops and traditional culinary experiences that tourists should not miss. While on a detour, one must definitely stop and try the local Jaintia snacks and red tea. It’s not something a tourist gets to endure every day.
Ialong village is a typical East Jaintia Hills village. Out of the 400 or so households, the Mulieh clan accounts for a sizable proportion of the population. Perhaps it is because of this that the village cultivates an unbreakable feeling of community and unity.
If tourists want to attend cultural festivals and learn about authentic Meghayala culture and tradition, they should visit Ialong between April and August. Attending cultural festivals is an excellent way to become acquainted with the ethnic cultures of the Jaintia tribe.
The ialong also provides a trek that takes you all the way to Tuberkmai. Tuber Kmai is a village in the Khliehriat Tehsil of the Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya, India. It is located 15 kilometers from the sub-district headquarters in Khliehriat and 16 kilometers from the district headquarters in Jowai. It’s also a pleasurable activity for trekkers looking for a bit of adventure.
So, apart from the trek, as previously mentioned, tourists can also enjoy the camp on the banks of the Myntdu River. Camping is a new trend among the youth that they crave. The Jaintia Hills have created an opportunity for campers by attracting them to the wonderful atmosphere that they can enjoy here. The tourist can also enjoy the local theater, which is a pleasant way to spend time.
Even though Meghalaya is filled with natural beauty, and Ialong Park may be considered mainstream at times, visitors cannot help but appreciate its beauty. This location also provides a welcome break from your travels and explorations throughout the state of Meghalaya. It's a breath of fresh air to be able to walk around this magnificent eco-park and relax.
You can also stay in one of the nearby cottages or in residence provided by the locals. This allows you to interact with them and learn more about their traditions, cultures, and way of life. It taught you about the simplicity of life and how the simplest things are the happiest and most peaceful materials that one requires.
If given the chance, tourists should take a detour to Ialong Park and enjoy the peace and environment that it provides.