The commercial centre of Shillong: a busy roundabout with the city's modern hotels, restaurants, banks, and outdoor gear shops radiating off it. The British called it Police Bazar because the early colonial police station stood here; the name has stuck even though the area is now wall-to-wall commerce.
This is the obvious base for short visits — most accommodation and the night-bus stand for Guwahati are within a few minutes' walk. The pavements outside the State Bank are where shared taxis for Cherrapunji and Mawlynnong gather in the early morning.