Guwahati is the largest city in Assam, Northeast India. It used to be the capital before it moved to the planned city of Dispur.
About
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.
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.
How to Reach
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (IATA: GAU) is also known as (GuwÄhÄti International Airport) and was formerly known as (Borjhar Airport).
Guwahati airport is a major hub for flights to North-East India and limited international destinations.
The hill resort cities of Shillong and Tura are connected by regular scheduled helicopter services run by Pawan Hans. Shillong (30 min), Tura (50 min), Naharlagun (Itanagar), Tawang (75 min).
Guwahati is connected by train with major cities like Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram,Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Mumbai.
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.
It is connected to all major cities of North East India by bus. There are overnight bus services for Dibrugarh, Kohima, Imphal, Itanagar, Siliguri.
Luxurious vessels with A/C upper deck connect Guwahati to Dibrugarh, passing through Kaziranga & Tezpur.
Get around
Bus is the cheapest way of travelling around the city. Guwahati is well connected to most of its city area with local service buses, with air conditioned bus service having recently begun between the airport and the city.
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.
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 10, 1 way. It is a simple way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Brahmaputra river.
See
Do
Buy
Eat
If you have just exited the airport or have to wait sometime before boarding your flight, then you can head to the Airport Restaurant right opposite to the domestic terminal for some reasonably priced food.
There are many good dhabas on the main roads, highways and at the outskirts of the city.
Drink
Guwahati is said to have the highest number of wine shops.
Sleep
Connect
Reproduced from Wikipedia
