India’s Mawlynnong, famed as Asia’s cleanest village, now shuts out Sunday tourists to reclaim local life

Mawlynnong in Meghalaya, known as “Asia’s cleanest village,” has begun banning tourists every Sunday despite relying heavily on visitor income. Residents say the weekly closure is meant to restore real village life after years of crowds arriving to photograph its spotless streets and landscaped lanes.

The move reflects a wider pushback against overtourism, where communities seek limits that protect daily life rather than maximizing visitor numbers. Mawlynnong’s model suggests destinations can preserve their appeal by setting boundaries before tourism erodes the culture that made them popular.