Sylhet is the most modern city of Bangladesh. It is called the London of Bangladesh because many of the Sylhetis live in London or other cities of the U.K. At least one member of almost each family lives in London or other cities of the U.K. They come frequently to their native country. It is in their interest to make Sylhet a modern city. For them, Sylhet airport has been upgraded to an international airport recently.
Sylhet is world famous for its tea gardens. Srimangal in Sylhet is known as the tea capital of Bangladesh. It is the main tea center of this area. For miles and miles around, the visitors can see the teagardens spread like green carpet over the plain land or on the slopping hills. A visit to the tea plantation of Sylhet is a memorable experience. Sylhet is the tea granary of Bangladesh. It not only has over 150 tea gardens, but also proudly possesses the three largest teagardens in the world, both in area and production.
Next to the hill tracts of greater Sylhet is the widely hilly district in the country. Nestled in the picturesque Surma valley amidst scenic tea plantations and lush green tropical forests, it is a prime attraction for all tourists. Its terraced tea gardens, eye-soothing orange groves, and pineapple plantations and hills covered with tropical forests form a beautiful landscape.
The Sylhet valley has a good number of haors, which are big, natural wetlands. During winter, these haors are vast stretches of green land, but in rainy season, they turn into a turbulent sea. The haors provide sanctuary to the millions of migratory birds who fly from Siberia across the Himalayas to avoid the severe cold.
Sylhet is also known as the land of the famous Muslim saint, Hazrat Shah Jalal, the great torchbearer of Islam to this region. The shrine of this great saint is located in Sylhet town.
Colorful Monipuri, Khasia, and Garo tribes live in Sylhet. Sylhet is also well-known for its wide variety of exquisite handicrafts of cane and bamboo.
Tourist attractions of Sylhet town and the adjacent area are: Surma bridge/Kin bridge, Murarichand College, Ali Amjad’s clock, the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal and Shah Paran, Badshahi Eidgah, and the Lakkatura tea garden, among others.
Tourist attractions of Sylhet region are: the Madhabkundu waterfall, Jaintapur palace, Haripur gas field, haors, the panorama beauty of Tamabil and Jaflong, and the teagardens of Srimangal.
Quick Tips:
The average rainfall of Sylhet is more than the rest of Bangladesh, so take necessary protective against rain.
Best Way To Get Around:
Sylhet is linked with Dhaka by rail, road, and air. Taxi, rickshaws, and other public transportation are available here. For inland journey in Sylhet, hire a rickshaw. To go far in this region, hire a taxi, go by public bus/coach, or by rail.