Explore Shillong
Shopping in Shillong
Malls, markets, and retail spots in Shillong
Bara Bazar (Iewduh)
Bara Bazar, known in Khasi as Iewduh meaning 'the biggest market,' is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in Northeast India. Situated west of the city centre and administered by the Syiem of Mylliem, this labyrinthine bazaar is predominantly run by Khasi women, reflecting Meghalaya's matrilineal heritage. Shop for handwoven shawls, Sohmirit pepper, Ryndiah silk, tribal knives, fresh produce, and local spices. Annual monolith-erection ceremonies add rare cultural depth to every visit.
Laitumkhrah Market
Laitumkhrah Market, known locally as Laimu, is Shillong's most stylish neighbourhood shopping stretch. Unlike the bustle of central bazaars, this uphill main road is lined with curated boutiques, local designer stores, independent bookshops, and cafes that draw students and young professionals. Pick up tribal jewellery, trendy streetwear, and handcrafted accessories while people-watching from one of the area's many beloved cafes. It captures everyday Khasi life at its most relaxed and contemporary.
Mawlai Market
Mawlai Market sits in the dense residential township of Mawlai, one of Shillong's largest and most populated urban areas. A thoroughly local affair, it bustles with vendors selling fresh fish, pork, seasonal vegetables, forest herbs, and Khasi spices. Visitors who wander here hear Khasi spoken at every stall, see baskets piled high with foraged produce, and get a candid glimpse of daily neighbourhood life that no tourist-facing market can replicate. Best visited in the early morning hours.
Nongthymmai Market
Nongthymmai Market is a residential neighbourhood market serving one of Shillong's growing suburban census towns. Primarily catering to daily local needs, it offers fresh vegetables, local fish, poultry, seasonal fruits, and household staples sourced from nearby Meghalayan farms. For travellers keen to experience Shillong beyond the tourist trail, this market provides an authentic, unhurried look at how families in the city's eastern neighbourhoods shop and live day to day.
Police Bazar
Police Bazar is Shillong's commercial nerve centre, known locally as Khyndailad or PB. Located at the heart of the city near the iconic obelisk roundabout, this pedestrian-friendly market blends traditional Khasi culture with modern retail. Browse bamboo handicrafts, handwoven shawls, woollen winter wear, and regional spices alongside branded stores and a lively flea market. Street food stalls serving momos and jadoh make it equally unmissable for food lovers.
Shillong Municipal Board Market
Shillong Municipal Board Market is a civic-run marketplace operating under the Shillong Municipal Board in the core city area. Spread across regulated stalls, it serves as a reliable daily-needs market for residents in central Shillong, offering fresh produce, vegetables, fish, and essential household goods at standardised pricing. While less photographed than Iewduh or Police Bazar, it represents the functional backbone of urban commerce in the city, and rewards curious visitors with an honest slice of ordinary Shillong.