A living root bridge is a type of simple suspension bridge formed of living plant roots by tree shaping. They are common in the southern part of the Northeast Indian state of *Meghalaya.

There are many living root bridges scattered across the dense valleys of Meghalaya’s Khasi Hills region, but the most spectacular and arguably the most famous is the Umshiang double-decker bridge, which is more than 180 years old. It is found just outside Nongriat, a small village that’s reachable only by foot, about 10km south of the town of *Cherrapunji (map).

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: India’s Meghalaya ‘living root bridges’ get stronger as the trees grow (cnn.com)

Any Meghalaya excursion should start from Shillong (map) or Guwahati (map) for convenience. Local non-AC buses, share sumos connect several parts of Meghalaya and other destinations of the North-East. Though cheap, these buses are infrequent and inconvenient for both domestic and foreign travelers. Best is to hire a taxi for a day and cover your destinations.

As tourism initiatives are mostly limited to Shillong and *East Khasi Hills, travellers to *Garo Hills (Tura, Williamsnagar), *Jaitia Hills (Jowai) and *West Khasi Hills (Nongstoin) should plan their route/itinerary considering the lack of proper tourism infrastructure (food/lodging/transport/roads).

+ India’s North East: Update from Tim Allen

Living Root Bridges (humanplanet.com)

Photographer Explores Tree Bridges in the Wettest Place on Earth | Amos Chapple

• Click here to listen to a piece I did for BBC Radio 4 about matriliny in the East Khasi Hills
• Click here to see a blog written by a guy I met in Nagaland who went to Mawlynnong

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Meghalaya is well known for its living root bridges. Formed by a unique and centuries-old tradition, passed down through generations, the bridges exemplify the symbiotic relationship shared between the people of Meghalaya and their natural surroundings.

⇒ video source: Meghalaya Tourism Official / youtube.com /

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