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Ward's lake located in Shillong, Meghalaya is named after Sir William Ward, the then Chief Commissioner of Assam. He started the plan for the establishment of this lake and late was constructed in the year 1894 by Colone

Ward's Lake

In its own language: Nan Polok

A man-made lake and garden in the heart of Shillong, Meghalaya

Photo: ANKAN, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ward's Lake is an artificial lake in central Shillong, Meghalaya, India. Visitors find a horseshoe-shaped lake with a wooden bridge, a botanical garden featuring orchids and other flowers, and places to walk, relax, or take a boat ride.

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  • Horseshoe-shaped artificial lake in central Shillong
  • Features a wooden bridge and a single island
  • Botanical garden with many orchids and other flowers
  • Boating and a café are available for visitors

What is Ward's Lake?

Ward's Lake is shaped like a horseshoe and sits in the middle of Shillong. A wooden bridge crosses the water, giving views of the lake and its single island. Around the lake, a garden grows with many orchids and other flowering plants. Visitors can walk along paved paths, rest by the fountain, or enjoy the greenery. Boating is offered on the lake, and a small café is nearby.

The history of Ward's Lake

The lake was created in 1894, planned by Sir William Ward, who was then the chief commissioner of Assam. Fitzwilliam Thomas Pollok designed it, and Colonel Hopkins oversaw its construction. A Khasi prisoner is said to have helped develop the area around the lake to break the routine of his daily life. Over time, the site became a well-known spot for both locals and visitors.

What there is to see

Ward's Lake is a man-made body of water, designed to be a place for leisure and nature in the city. The garden around it is planted with orchids and other flowers, and paved paths make it easy to explore. The wooden bridge in the center is a main feature, and boats are available for hire. The grounds include a fountain and a café for visitors.

Sunset at a lake in Shillong India. Bridge at the end of the lake is highlighted by the last sun-rays for the day.
Sunset at a lake in Shillong India. Bridge at the end of the lake is highlighted by the last sun-rays for the day.. Photo: Udayan Singh, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

When to go

People come to Ward's Lake throughout the year to walk, relax, and enjoy the gardens. Boating on the lake is a popular activity, and the site is a frequent stop for tourists in Shillong. The gardens attract those interested in orchids and other flowers, and the café offers a place to rest. The lake is a common destination for both locals and visitors.

Why Ward's Lake matters

Ward's Lake is one of Shillong's main attractions and is known locally by names such as Pollock Lake and Nan Polok. The garden's orchids are a highlight for flower lovers. Its central location and peaceful setting make it a favorite spot for city residents and tourists alike.

The flowers of Ward's Lake

OrchidA vast family of colourful, often fragrant flowers found almost everywhere on earth

Questions people ask about Ward's Lake

Where is Ward's Lake located?

Ward's Lake is in the center of Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, India.

What can visitors do at Ward's Lake?

Visitors can walk along garden paths, enjoy the orchids and other flowers, cross the wooden bridge, go boating on the lake, and relax at the café.

What is special about the gardens at Ward's Lake?

The gardens are known for their collection of orchids and other floral species, making them a point of interest for plant lovers.

Who designed and built Ward's Lake?

The lake was designed by Fitzwilliam Thomas Pollok and built under Colonel Hopkins in 1894, planned by Sir William Ward.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Ward's Lake (Shillong)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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