Sylhet City is a vibrant urban center located in the northeastern part of Bangladesh. It serves as the capital of the Sylhet Division and is renowned for its lush landscapes, tea gardens, and diverse cultural heritage. The city is surrounded by picturesque hills, valleys, and tea estates, making it a popular destination for both nature enthusiasts and cultural explorers.
What to do in Sylhet
Take a city tour using rickshaw or CNG. Enjoy fuska & chotpoti (street foods) at the evening by the Bank of Surma river. There is a big pond at the heart of the city center where you can pass some peaceful time with friends. Hire a CNG and visit nearby tea estates. Actually there are lots of beautiful places in the Sylhet region, you can visit them one after another. List of nearby popular spots are given below.
Nearby tourist spots
- Sylhet Shahi Eidgah: A historical mosque with intricate architecture, offering a glimpse into the city’s cultural heritage.
- Hazrat Shah Jalal Mazar Sharif is a significant shrine honoring Hazrat Shah Jalal, a revered Sufi saint, attracting pilgrims and tourists alike.
- Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) is a very beautiful place for any tourist visiting the Sylhet area. The place is quiet and calm, environment is clean and tourist friendly.
- Jaflong is the most popular tourist destination in the Sylhet region. It’s mostly surrounded by the attractive view of Meghalaya mountains, river with crystal clear water and colorful stones. This is one of the most popular place in Bangladesh. If you’re looking for a peaceful and scenic getaway, Jaflong is a great choice.
- Lalakhal is small shallow river with it’s unique beauty. It’s mysterious green color water would definitely amazed you. You may enjoy a boat ride over the river’s green water at the evening.
- Sada Pathor (White Stones) at Bholaganj upazila. It has a river with crystal clear water flowing over the colorful stones bed. You can enjoy the natural Jacuzzi in the shallow river’s water.
- Bichanakandi is similar to the Sada Pathor. You can enjoy the beauty of Meghalaya mountains and a river with crystal clear water and clorfull stones. Boat ride over the river would be fantastic experience.
- Ratargul Swamp Forest is a small swamp forest with it’s own unique ecosystem. This place is very quite and calm. You can feel the nature by a boat ride inside the forest.
- Khasia Polli is located near Jaflong. It is the home for some indigenous Khasia people. They have their own culture and ethnic belief. You can see large flat tea fields in the Khasia Polli.
- Khadimnagar National Park is a serene and bio-diverse protected area located near Sylhet city. Spanning over 68 acres, the park is a haven for nature lovers.
How to go
Sylhet can be reached by air, road, and train.
To reach Sylhet City from Dhaka:
- By Air: Available domestic flights are NOVOAIR, US-Bangla Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd.
- By Bus: You can reach Sylhet by bus using Ena Transport (Pvt) Ltd and Hanif Enterprise. There other other bus services but they are not that renowned. You can buy bus ticket here at shohoz.com.
- By Train: There are few Intercity Train services available named Kalni Express, Paharika, Jayantika, Parabat, Udayan and Upaban Express. These trains are serving their passengers to travel to different locations like Dhaka, Chittagong, and stops between those tracks. You can have a look at railway’s website for more details. You can buy ticket online at Bangladesh Railway.
Where to Stay
Sylhet offers a range of accommodations to suit various budgets, from luxury hotels to guesthouses and resorts. Some popular options include:
- Rose View Hotel: A luxury hotel offering modern amenities and scenic views.
- Hotel Star Pacific: A comfortable option with convenient access to the city’s attractions.
- Britannia Hotel: A mid-range choice with comfortable rooms and friendly service.
While exploring the area, don’t miss out on visiting following areas:
Location
Sylhet City is located in the northeastern part of Bangladesh, situated in the Sylhet Division. Its approximate coordinates are 24.8978° N latitude and 91.8723° E longitude.