- Where
- Riwai village, about 2 km from Mawlynnong
- Distance
- About 2 km from Mawlynnong; about 80–90 km from Shillong
- Timings
- Roughly 7 am to 5 pm
- Entry fee
- Small fee, reported as about ₹20–50 per person
- Permit
- None
- Best time
- October–May; the stream is fuller in the monsoon
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
Living root bridges are grown, not built: Khasi villagers train the aerial roots of rubber fig trees across streams until they form a walkway strong enough to cross. The bridge at Riwai is a single-decker bridge over a rocky stream, reached by a short descent of a few hundred steps through forest.
Riwai or Nongriat?
Riwai is the easy option: about 15–20 minutes down and a little longer back up, fine for most families. The famous Double Decker bridge at Nongriat near Cherrapunji is far more impressive but needs a steep trek of about 3,500 steps each way.
How to reach
Riwai is next to Mawlynnong, about 80–90 km from Shillong. It fits on the same day as Mawlynnong and Dawki, all on the road towards the Bangladesh border.
Riwai Living Root Bridge: questions travellers ask
How hard is the walk to the Riwai root bridge?
Easy to moderate: a few hundred steps down through forest, about 15–20 minutes each way.
What is the entry fee?
A small fee, reported as about ₹20–50 per person.
Can I combine Riwai with Mawlynnong and Dawki?
Yes. All three are close together and usually done as one day trip from Shillong.
Is Riwai the same as the Double Decker root bridge?
No. The Double Decker bridge is at Nongriat near Cherrapunji. Riwai has a single-level bridge and is much easier to reach.
Sources
Timings and fees change. Check on the day, or ask us when you book.
