- Where
- Dawki town, West Jaintia Hills, on the Bangladesh border
- Distance
- About 80 km from Shillong, 2–2.5 hours
- Timings
- Daylight; the border crossing keeps official hours
- Entry fee
- Free to view the bridge and border area
- Permit
- None to visit; crossing into Bangladesh needs a passport and visa
- Best time
- November–April, when the Umngot is clearest
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
The Dawki suspension bridge was built in the 1930s and carries the road over the Umngot river, whose water is so clear in winter that boats seem to float on air. A short drive on, the Dawki–Tamabil land border is one of the main crossings between Meghalaya and Bangladesh.
At the border
Visitors can walk up to the zero-line area on the Indian side and look across to the Bangladesh plains. Follow the instructions of the Border Security Force (BSF), don't photograph security posts, and don't cross the markers. Crossing into Bangladesh requires a passport and a valid visa.
How to reach
Dawki is about 80 km from Shillong. Most visitors combine the bridge, a boat ride on the Umngot, Shnongpdeng and Mawlynnong in one day.
Dawki Bridge and the India–Bangladesh Border: questions travellers ask
Can I see Bangladesh from Dawki?
Yes. From the border area at Dawki you can look across to the plains of Bangladesh.
Can I cross into Bangladesh at Dawki?
Only with a passport and a valid Bangladesh visa, through the official immigration checkpoint.
When is the Umngot river clearest?
From about November to April, in the dry season.
How far is Dawki from Shillong?
About 80 km, 2 to 2.5 hours by road.
Sources
Timings and fees change. Check on the day, or ask us when you book.
