Nature's Most Extraordinary Engineering
Deep in the rainforests of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, the roots of ancient rubber trees (Ficus elastica) have been trained over centuries to grow across rivers and gorges — forming living bridges that are stronger, more durable, and more sustainable than anything built from timber or stone.
The living root bridges of Meghalaya are not just a tourist attraction — they are a testament to indigenous ecological wisdom that modern engineering is only beginning to appreciate.
How Are They Made?
The Khasi people discovered that the rubber fig tree (Ficus elastica) produces aerial roots from its trunk and branches that can extend for dozens of metres. These roots are incredibly pliable when young.
The traditional technique:
Some bridges have been growing for over 500 years and can support 50 people at a time. Unlike wooden bridges that rot in Meghalaya's extreme humidity, living root bridges become stronger with age.
The Double Decker Root Bridge (Nongriat)
The most famous living root bridge in Meghalaya is the Double Decker bridge at Nongriat village — unique in that it has two bridges stacked on top of each other, created by two separate rubber trees whose roots intertwined.
How to Visit
The Nongriat Double Decker bridge involves:
At the bottom, the Double Decker bridge is surrounded by a pristine swimming pool fed by a cool mountain stream. On hot days, a swim here is absolutely magical.
Rainbow Falls
Adding a further 1-hour walk beyond the Double Decker Bridge leads to Rainbow Falls — a spectacular waterfall in a remote gorge, named for the rainbow that forms in its mist on sunny mornings. Very few tourists venture this far.
Other Notable Bridges
The Challenge of Preservation
Living root bridges face an unexpected threat: modern concrete footbridges. As remote villages get better road access, communities sometimes opt for quick concrete bridges over the 15-year investment required to grow a root bridge.
However, the tourism value of the root bridges has created a powerful economic incentive for their preservation. Village communities now earn significant income from the many visitors who trek to see them.
Best Time to Visit
October to May is ideal. During monsoon (June-September), the trek to Nongriat becomes extremely slippery and dangerous. October-November sees the streams running full after monsoon, making the bridges look spectacular.
Our 3-day Meghalaya package includes the Mawlynnong root bridge (accessible without the long Nongriat trek). Our 5-7 day packages include the full Nongriat trek to the Double Decker bridge.
