Sualkuchi

Sualkuchi, on the north bank of the Brahmaputra about 35 km from Guwahati, is one of India's best-known handloom villages and the centre of Assamese silk weaving. Almost every household is linked to the trade, and the rhythmic clack of looms fills its lanes. The village has been nicknamed the 'Manchester of the East' for the scale of its weaving.

Weavers here work with the three silks of Assam: muga, the naturally golden silk produced only in Assam and protected by a Geographical Indication tag; pat, a lustrous white silk; and eri, a warm, matte 'peace silk'. The signature product is the mekhela chador, the two-piece traditional dress of Assamese women, often decorated with intricate motifs woven in coloured thread.

Visitors can watch the full process, from reeling and dyeing to weaving, and buy directly from weavers or cooperatives. Prices for genuine muga are high because the silk is rare and labour-intensive; ask for certification if buying expensive pieces. Sualkuchi pairs well with Hajo for a half-day trip.