'''Guwahati''' is the largest city in Assam, Northeast India. It used to be the capital before it moved to the planned city of Dispur.
Understand
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.
Climate
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.
Get in
By plane
Guahati has daily flights from Kolkata,Bangalore,Hyderabad,Mumbai and New Delhi, and twice weekly flights connecting to Mumbai and Bangkok [http://www.airindia.com/article.asp?articleid=172]. 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 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 AC upper deck connecting Guwahati to Dibrugarh passing through Kaziranga & Tezpur.
Get around
By Bus
It is the cheapest way of travelling around the city.Guwahati is well connected to most of it's city area with city bus(local service bus).recently air conditioned bus service started between 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
[http://www.kickstartadventures.com/ Kickstart Adventures]- an adventure tourism firm, has pioneered motorcycle tours in North East India. This adventure motorbike tour covers the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, giving a traveller to visit to not only popular places but also rural parts of the region to experience first-hand of tribal cultures and traditions. The firm conducts tours all round the year.
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.
See
'''Uma Nanda Temple''', A 17th century temple dedicated to Shiva. Umananda temple is on an island in the middle of the Brahmaputra river-Peacock island. You need to take a boat to reach the island. You can get a shared boat or reserve the entire boat for yourself. You will get boats from fancy bazaar Ghat near the Sukreshwar temple. From the island you will get a good view of the riverside. Those who love nature can spend sometime here just watching the Brahmaputra flow around the island.
'''Janardana Temple'''
'''Ugro Tara Temple''', Lotaxil. A temple dedicated to the deity Tara.
'''Assam State Museum''', southern end of Dighalipukhuri tank. The museum is closed on Mondays.
'''Guwahati Planetarium'''
'''Assam Rajyik Museum'''
'''Regional Science Center'''
'''Navagraha Temple''', Chitrasal Hill. An 18th century temple dedicated to nine Celestial bodies.
'''Kamakhya Temple'''
'''Bhubaneswari Temple'''
'''Pandu'''
'''Vashistha Ashram''' It is a place of pilgrimage in the Sandhychal hills. This is near the Balaji temple which is near the ISBT-inter state bus terminus. Vashistha Ashram was established by the great sage Vashistha. Three rivulets Sandhya, Kanta and Lalita meet here, bestowing the Ashram a natural stream. Water from the rivulets comes gushing down the rocks creating a unforgettable setting and ambience.
'''Assam State Zoo'''
'''Botanical Gardens'''
'''Shankardev Kalashetra''',Panjabari Road
Do
Buy
'''Ethnic handicrafts''' of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city.
'''Malls'''. The city boasts several shopping malls. These are the major ones: The Hub Mall, Bhangagarh; Dona Planet, G.S.Road; Vishal MegaMart; The Cube Mall and Sohum Shoppe; Kolkata Bazaar;Salasar etc.Upcoming shopping Malls are Big Bazzar, Pantaloons and others in FFORT MALL at Kachari Basti,G.S.Road
'''Handlooms & Handicrafts'''The Assam Silk & Golden SIlk "Muga" is world famous. You will be fascinated to see the designs and colours of the etnic dress called "Mekhela - Chadar".
Eat
If you've arrived in Guwahati after traveling through more remote areas for a while you'll find the city a good place to quench your thirst for decent and hearty Indian food again. For a real treat head to '''Tandoor'''
Budget
there are many good dhabas on the highways on the outskirts of guwahati.in the city.
'''City Dhaba'''
'''JBs at M G Road(Riverside)'''
'''JBs at Christian Basti(G S Rd)'''
'''Dispur Dhaba'''
'''U turn'''
'''Momo ghar'''
'''Paradise''',famous for assamese cuisine
'''Khorika''',Opposite of Bora Service , another great place for Assamese cuisine
'''Luit View''', Fancy Bazar, next to Jail road, for authentic Rajasthani cuisine
Mid-range
Nashraj Restaurant. .S. Road, Fancy Bazaar. nside Hotel Nova. 91 361-251-9465. This restaurant is popular with locals and foreigners, and serves tasty Indian, Chinese and selected Continental cuisine.
'''Green Valley Resort'''
'''Makhonbhog'''
'''JB's at MG Rd(riverside) & at Christian basti(G S Rd)'''
'''Gopal Maharaj''','''Kamrup Chamber Road, Fancy Bazar'''
'''Delicacy''','''Ganeshguri''' Famous for ethnic Assamese cuisine
Splurge
'''Hotel Dynasty'''
Drink
Guwahati is said to have the highest number of wine shops.
Pub/Disco/Bar
'''Silver Streak''',Hotel Bramhaputra Ashok
'''Blues'''- Disco
'''Kamakazi'''- Disco
'''Delight'''
'''Crystal'''- Disco
'''Q'Ba ''' - Ulubari- Disco
'''The Lounge Bar''', Christian Basti
'''U-Turn''', Chandmari Fly-over- Bar
'''Ivory''', Below Hotel Amrit Regency, Ulubari Flyover- Bar/Pub
Sleep
brahmputra. anjbari, sixmile. this is a small family hotel. good clean rooms, simple food. nothing fancy but economical. not in the centre of city but near kalakshetra.
Budget
Hotel Suradevi. .L.N Road. an Bazaar. 91 361-254-5050. s 100, Rs 150 w/private bath, Rs 230 w/TV. Slightly out of the action, this is a decent budget choice. There's a good little restaurant here too.
Mid-range
Hotel Nova. .S. Road. ancy Bazaar. 91 361-251-9465. s 750-1500, A/C rooms Rs 1350-1850. 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.
'''Brahmaputra Ashok'''
'''Landmark'''
'''Hotel Nandan'''
'''Hotel President'''
'''Hotel RajMahal'''
'''Belle View'''
'''Hotel Vishwaratna'''
'''Hotel Maruti'''
'''Hotel Rituraj'''
Splurge
Hotel Dynasty. .S. Road. akhotia. 91 361-251-6021. ttp://www.hoteldynastyindia.com. ooms Rs 3400-5000, Suites Rs 8000-15,000. Guwahati's nicest hotel, it's centrally located, warm and comfortable, and the staff are friendly. Tandoor is one of the two in-house restaurants, and probably the best place to splurge on food in the city, with live music in the evenings.
Contact
Most of the Indian cell phone service providers get service in the city, but prepaid roaming is not available. There are several PCOs and internet cafes scattered around town.
Get out
'''[http://www.accoland.com] Accoland''' ,airport road,amusement park
'''Resorts on sonapur road''' - The Sonapur Road ( Guwahati - Nagaon road, NH 37) has many dhabas that are within 10-15 kms of the city outskirts ( Khanapara). These resorts provide a good weekend break. Brahmaputra resort in Tepesia is one such resort.
'''Balaji Temple''' - Balaji temple is on the National Highway By-pass - it is easily reached by taking the National Highway ( from the city head towards Maligaon/ Adabari and beyond till you reach the Jalukbari junction). It takes about 20 minutes from the junction to the temple. It is supposed to be a replica of the temple in Tirupati - the temple provides a nice place for solitary meditation, being in a peaceful setting.
'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepor_Beel Deepor Beel]''' , a wetland and a very picturesque picnic spot, not yet discovered by tourists. A bird-watchers paradise, especially in winter when the migratory birds come down. Access is from the National Highway, Gorchuk Ali.
'''Hajo''' - Hajo is an interesting place to visit near Guwahati. The place has religious significance for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. It takes about an hour and half from the city center to reach Hajo by own transport ( buses are there from Adabari bus stand). Interesting places to visit are the Hayagrib Madhab temple and Pua Mecca. While at the temple, make sure to go down to the temple pond to see the resident turtle.
Kanchuki Sarma Jan 2, 2009