*sylhet
Sylhet Tourist AttractionsThe travelers coming to the valley of Sylhet always make it a point to go in for seeing the tourist attractions in Sylhet. Nestled amidst the picturesque tea-plantations in the Surma valley, Sylhet is fast becoming a favorite tourist haunt. The lush and thick tropical rain forests surrounding the valley where Sylhet is placed make the place all the more attractive.
The idyllic location of Sylhet, between the Jaintia Hills and Khasia Hills on the north and the Tripura Hills on the southern part is a welcome relief from the monotonous plains which you get to see most of the time. The tourist attractions in Sylhet that the travelers love to go exploring are situated nearby.
Some of the most frequently visited Sylhet tourist attractions include The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, Temple of Sri Chaitanya Dev, Gour Gobindo Fort and Srimongol. The travelers coming to the valley of Sylhet also prefer to go for excursions from Sylhet to the nearby places such as Jaintiapur, Madhabkunda, Lawacherra Rain Forest.
Jaintiapur is all the more famous for its palace of the royal dynasty which though in ruins still bear races of the rich cultural heritage of the country. The Gour Gobinda Fort is also one of the most frequently visited tourist destinations in Sylhet as well as near it.
The Shrine of the great Hazrat Shah Jalal also forms a part of the sightseeing itineraries of Sylhet. The robe of the great saint, the holy Quran is a still reserved in the shrine which has a legend attached to it.
The Temple of Sri Chaitanya Dev which is not exactly in the heart of the town but about 45 kilometers away from it is a 500 year old ancestral home of this great Vaishnava saint. Try to visit the temple during the full moon day in the month of March as a very colorful and lively fair is held during this time.
If you are interested to see something different then visit Srimongol which is called the tea capital of Bangladesh. As far as you can see, there is a lush green carpet covering the mountains owing to the tea-plantations. The Lawacherra rain Forest is also a very favorite tourist spot as it is the home of the 2 most important tribes of the surrounding region- Manipuri and Khasia. The place is famous for the exclusive chloroform tree which is not found anywhere else apart from a wide variety of nature and wildlife.
Madhabkunda
Bangladesh natural beauty has many features. On of the main attraction of these features are the mesmerizing water falls. And the main water fall of Bangladesh is the water fall of Madhabkunda. The height of the water fall here in Madhabkunda is 61m or 200 ft. It’s the highest waterfall among all the other waterfalls of Bangladesh. What makes it the most desirable waterfall destination is the surrounding environment of the road to the waterfall.
Madhabkunda is located about 5 km from Kakhinbage railway station in Barlekha Upazilla, district of Moulavibazar, Sylhet division. The journey to the Madhabkunda is an enthirilling experience and it’s so exotic that one may go to Madhabkunda only for the journey. It’s the whole road is surrounded by the worlds biggest tea garden, picturesque hills and maze like roads through the hills.
You can travel to Madhabkunda by road and rail. As described before one should travel by road to enjoy its natural beauty. You can go to Madhabkunda from Dhaka via Sylhet or via Moulavibazar. It will take 8 hours to reach to the destination. There are both AC and Non-AC buses available for Sylhet or Moulavibazar from Dhaka. From Sylhet and Moulavibazar public buses go regularly to Madhabkunda all day long. If you travel by train it will take 1-2 hours less to reach destination but will miss the exciting experience of the natural scenic beauty of environment beside the road. Train will get you as far as Kulaura and than you will have to take public bus for visiting the waterfall.
Normally tourists go to Madhabkunda don’t stay for the night but if you want to gain the experience of spending a night in jungle like environment you can do that too. For staying at night there is a motel of Bangladesh Porjoton Corporation and also a Bunglow of district council. To stay at the Bunglow you need to book before you go to Madhabkunda from Mulavibazar zilla parishad office.
All the mobile phone operators have their network there except that other modern communication system is pretty scarce in Madhabkunda.
The nature is so beautiful and pleasant here that Madhabkunda is one of the best natural resorts of Bangladesh for relaxation of one’s mind and physic. So every one who wants to travel in Bangladesh must visit Madhabkunda; without visiting here Bangladesh travel will not be fulfilled.
Jaflong, Sylhet .
Jaflong: is a natural tourist spot in the Division of Sylhet, Bangladesh. It is located in Gowainghat Upazila of Sylhet District and situated at the border between Bangladesh and the Indian state of Meghalaya. It is just below the mountain range. Jafflong, famous for its beauty, boulders, betel nuts and is home of the Khasi tribe. It’s about 60 km to the northeast of Sylhet town and takes two hours drive to reach there. Jaflong is also a scenic spot nearby amidst tea gardens and rate beauty of rolling stones from hills.Nestled at the foot of the Khasia-Jainta hills, it is a place of pristine loveliness. The Piayin river slices through Jafflong and the river is woven tightly into the lives of the local people. A riverboat trip is one of the main attractions. Although the boatmen are used to fleecing tourists, and will charge exorbitant sums, a bit of haggling will get you an engine boat for Tk. 250. The whole family will fit in, and the clear waters of the Piyain will soon be rushing past as the boat heads towards the Zero Point -- the border between India and Bangladesh.
The Indian town of Dauki Bazar can be seen on the mountain. Duing the rainy season torrents of water can be seen gushing down the mountain forming small waterfalls. Visitor also see a enormous beautiful waterfall on the way of Sylhet to Jaflong. But that are all in Indian side.The spot where most tourists gather is called Bollar (boulder) Ghat. Boulders have become Jafflong's bane. With stone mining companies using heavy machinery to extract stones from the river and that treated Jafflong's natural beauty. Efforts are underway to preserve the area as an ecopark.
Visitors who venture to the far side of the river can see the little Khasia villages or “Punjees”. The Khasia, the indigenous people of the hills, live in total harmony with Jafflong's idyllic beauty. The punjees consist of cute houses on bamboo stilts. A walk through the Khasia Punjees will take you through large plantations of Paan (betel leaf) and Supari (betel nut). The Khasia once practiced a pagan religion, and old records portray them as a fierce and warlike tribe. But nowadays the Khasia lead a simple and quiet life growing paan-supari and fishing. Many of them have converted to Christianty.
The forest walk will take you to the palace of the Khasia king. It's a modest wooden affair but in the grounds you can catch sight of one of Sylhet's vanishing attractions -- an orange grove.
Tamabil is the border area with India and is 05 km before Jaflong. If you intend to visit Shilong of India then you will have to cross this border by completing your customs formalities. To go to India you require valid Visa.
Sripur is another beautiful tourist spot where you can see the waterfall with great tide falling form the hills. Besides the enchanting views of the area, one can also have a glimpse of the waterfalls across the border of India. Very Big stones sometimes are coming in this waterfall in Sripur. After completion of visiting Jaflong and Tamabil you must visit Sripur on the way to go back to Sylhet. It's only 7-8km from Jaflong on the same road to Sylhet a sub road entered into Sripur waterfall. Here you can see the stone collection and orange garden if you go inside Sripur crossing the hills.
On the way back from Jafflong, don't forget to stop at Jaintapur. Jaintapur is famous for its megalithic archaeological ruins. Jaintiapur is only 5 km. from Jaflong, a scenic spot amidst tea gardens. Jaintapur was the capital of Jainta Kingdome at 18th century. Jainta Rajbari was the palace of Kings of Jainta, it's just adjacent of Jainta Bazar. Though the condition of this king's palace is already damaged enormously but a huge number of tourists visit here due to the historical background of Jainta Kingdom. At about 35 km. northwest of Sylhet town, linked by rail, road and river is Chhatak, the seat of Assam Bengal Cement Factory, Chhatak is famous for orange garden.
At Bollar Ghat there are local cottage industries that cater to tourists. Local artisans carve souvenirs out of stone, and shopkeepers sell everything from mementos to sarees. Despite the large number of people who flock to Jafflong every day there are no good places to stay and no restaurant worth its tablecloth. Visitors are well advised to carry their own food from Sylhet.
How to go: Sylhet city is roughly 230 km from the capital and it is a smooth 4-5 hour drive. First-rate highway restaurants along the way mean you can stop for a breather as often as you like. Train journeys take slightly longer, but can be fun as the line passes through the Lawachara national forest range Sylhet International Airport is half an hour's flying time from Dhaka, and most of the private airlines as well as Biman offer several daily flights. Transports are available form Syhlet town to Jaflong. Don’t forget to take food.
For accommodation at Sylhet town, some reasonably good hotels are available.
Attractive tourist place at Sylhet division: The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal and Shah Paran, Lawachara National Park, Madhabkunda Waterfall, Srimongol,
bangladesh travel guide: Hakaluki haor- welcome to water kingdom
Hakaluki haor- welcome to water kingdom
The numerous permanent and seasonal freshwater lakes and marshes of the flood plains are known as haors, baors and beels. A haor is a bowl-shaped depression between the natural levees of a river, or a succession of such depressions. Most are found ineastern Mymensingh and Sylhet, in a region known as the Haor Basin.
Hakaluki Haor is a marsh wetland ecological system of Eastern Bangladesh in an area bordering Assam, India. It is one of Bangladesh's largest and one of Asia’s larger Haor. Some 190,000 people live in the surrounding Hakaluki haor area. The surface area of Hakaluki Haor is 181.15km2, of which 72.46km2 (40.01%) is within the territory of Barlekha Upazila. It contains about 47 major haors and more than 6,000 beels, or freshwater lakes, nearly half of which are seasonal. Hakaluki Haor itself is a complex of more than 80 inter-connecting beels located in the Maulvi Bazar district. During the dry season, the beels cover an area of approximately 4,400 ha. However, during the rainy season, the entire area gets flooded, and the beels are united as one large lake, or haor, with an area of approximately 18,000 ha. This makes it the largest haor in Bangladesh. Hakaluki haor is a highly significant site for a wide variety of waterfowl. The haor is partly under the jurisdiction of Barlekha Upazila. Barlekha is an Upazila of Maulvibazar District in the Division of Sylhet.
Hakaluki Haor was designated an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) by the Director General of the Department of Environment, as the ecosystem is considered to have reached a critical state. It also is a protected Ramsar site of international importance for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.
Its overall significance is perhaps best expressed with reference to the various criteria for inclusion as a Ramsar site. "It is a particularly good representative example of a wetland which plays a substantial hydrological, biological or ecological role in the natural functioning of a major river basin85" (Ramsar Criterion 1.c); "It supports an appreciable assemblage of rare, vulnerable or endangered species of plant or animal, or an appreciable number of individuals of any one or more of these species." (Criterion 2.a); "It is of special value for maintaining the genetic and ecological diversity of a region because of the peculiarities of its flora and fauna." (Criterion 2.b); "It regularly supports about 20,000 waterfowl." (Criterion 3.a); "It regularly supports substantial numbers of individuals from particular groups of waterfowl, indicative of wetland values, productivity or diversity" (Criterion 3.b).
It is important for wintering migratory birds. Every winter, tens of thousands of guest birds of about 150 species from Siberian and other cold regions flock to the haors. They include Bright and Rose King-duck, Pati-duck, Bali Hash, Lenja, Chity, Sorali, Boikal, Nilshir Piyan, Pantamukhi, Pankouri, Buti-duck, China, Rangamuri, Black-duck, Peributhi, Chokachoki, Giria, Khonjona, Patari, Dolpipi, Water-hen, North-Giria, Dahuk, Patibatan, Common-chill, Cotton-Chill, Gergini, Cottontail, Pintail, Toughed Duck.
Winter is good for traveling. But its versatile beauty figured out individually in every season. There are very different experiences. Especially, in rainy season it takes youthful and significance looks. Haors are flooded every year by the monsoon floods, and most retain some water throughout the dry season. In rainy its look like infinite water kingdom. Traveler enjoys a good time fully artificial free life with nature. It refreshes mind and body together.
If you're traveling from Dhaka, daily bus services (AC- Tk 400, non-AC TK 200) from Sayedabad Bus Terminal to Srimongal are available every couple of hours and take about 4 hours and even has a good direct train . Trains are available everyday from Kamalapur Railway station. Traveler easily gets information from CWBMP office at kulaura. Or they can travel follow the road of kanongo bazzar via Barlekha.
In reasonable price deferent categories of hotel are available in Maulvibazar town and srimongal. Traveler also contract to stay at DFID Tea resort, Bangladesh tea board, Bhanugach Road, Srimangal, Maulvi Bazar, Bangladesh.
Another attractive place at Maulvi Bazar: Archaeological heritage Khoaza Mosque at Laghati village of Dasergram union (16th century), Madhav Mandir at Madhabkunda Waterfall. Manufactories 18 tea gardens in Barlekha, tribal life, Sujanagar is famous for producing incense and attar (essence of flowers).
Road to Lawachara rain forest and National Park, Moulavibazar, Sylhet
Forest cover in Bangladesh has been fast
disappearing over the last thirty years. Today the forests in sanctuaries and national parks, collectively known as Protected Areas are the best place to see green Bangladesh. Lawachara rain forest is one of the major national park/sanctuary/reserve in Bangladesh. In 1997 Bangladesh government declared it A National Park. This forest is built by the British, the time of their rule in Indian Subcontinent.
Eight km east from Srimongal town under Kamalganj upazila of Moulavibazar zilla, the 1,250 hectares national park Lawachara is the most beautiful tropical forest. The park is named after a small narrow tributary, named 'Lawachara'. Its previous name was 'West Bhanugan'.
Biological diversity in the Lawachara National Park consists of 460 species, of which 167 species are plants, 4 amphibian species, 6 reptile species, 246 bird species and 20 mammal species.
Hoolock gibbons [only 49 individual’s gibbons are alive here] is one seriously endangered higher primate in Bangladesh. And also Slow Loris, Pig-tailed Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Assamese Macaque, Capped Langur, Phayre’s Leaf-monkey, Jackal, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear or Himalayan Black Bear, Yellow-throated Marten, Tiger, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Wild Pig, Sambar, Barking Deer, Indian Giant, wile bore and even King Cobra settle their presence. Local elders speak of leopards roaming the jungle, but those have long been extinct. Birds of different species are found here.
Khasia, Monipuri, tripura are the main inhabitants of this forest. they have rich cultural and religious heritage. It’s also tourist attraction. They make their villages high on hilltop in deep forest and so far from town. It is like "A Piece of Paradise". Certainly it will please you.Pineapple cultivation - Sweetest and best quality pineapples grown here in Bangladesh. Pineapple is really a greatest offer of summer but now it is cultivated round the year. So, you can enjoy the juicy summer fruit in any time coming to its real field.
Trailing is considered as an important tool for nature watch that helps awareness building and other conservation efforts. There are three forest trails as- Short Trail (half an hour walk), Medium Trail (one hour walk) and Long Trail (Three hour walk). You will quickly find yourself deep in an idyllic world where the trials and tribulations of everyday life seem to melt away. Travelers spend many exotic moments with plant, species and bird. It’s placed him to a dreamy land. The macaque monkeys and the hoolock gibbons can be seen swinging from tree to tree in the early morning. The animals take cover during the heat of the day, but their haunting calls can be heard echoing through the forest range. Adventure begins in the territory of wild chicken, squirrel, and python.
Caution: There is concern regarding environmental degradation. Empty coke bottles and abandoned poly bags in the forest are an ugly reminder of the polluting footprint of man.
Best Time to Visit: 01-Nov to 31-March.
How to go: Lawachara is a two hour drive from Sylhet. Getting Lawachara NP from Dhaka, daily bus services [AC-400, non AC-200] are available from Dhaka to Srimongal every hour from sayedabad and take about 3.5 hour. Car drive takes 3.5 hours from Dhaka on highway N2, turn right at Mirpur junction towards Srimongal. From Srimongal anybody hire transport to go to the park, which is only km from city center. Daily Train services are available from kamalapur railway station. You stopped train at Srimongal / Mirpur junction.
Accommodation: Accommodation facilities are abundant in Srimongal. Facilities include entry-level Tea Town Guest House, mid level Sandya Hotel and high-end Tea Resort. Lodging is also available at BTRI Rest House. Here you will find suitable accommodation. The mini bungalows of the Tea Research Institute are available for around Tk 3000 per day, but you may have to book in advance. Srimongal is surrounded by terraced tea estates set among rolling hills. The aroma of raw tea fills the air near the large tea processing plants. If you are interested in the process of blending tea, take a walk around the factories.
Others tourist place at Sylhet division: The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal and Shah Paran, Khoaza Mosque , Jaflong, Madhabkunda Waterfall, Srimongol, Hakaluki Haor.
Srimongol
Srimongol, Sylhet, the tea capital in Bangladesh is one of the places in and around the valley of Sylhet which the travelers coming from different parts of the world like to visit. The long stretch of green that is going to greet to you as far as you look gives a soothing feeling that is hard to forget. The lush green mountains covered with rich tea-plantation are a relief from the concrete jungle that we get to see in the cities. Srimongol, Sylhet famous for its tea-gardens is visited by travelers form all over the world as you rarely get to see such a beautiful sight.
The velvet carpet of the tea-plants enhances the beauty of Srimongol in Sylhet. The travelers can also take a look at how tea is processed at the Tea Research Institute. A huge quantity of tea is produced by Bangladesh and also exported to different parts of the world. Srimongol is all the more well-known as most of the tea-estates that you get to hear about in Bangladesh lies here as a result of which it has earned the epithet of 'The Land of 2 Leaves and a Bud'.
Srimongol also famous as the 'camelia' houses the largest tea-estate in the world. The terraced tea-gardens along with rich vegetation of rubber, pineapple and lemon plantations form a stunning landscape which is hard to find. As you enter the tea-gardens the sweet smells of he tea-plants will greet you along with spectacular beauty.
Those of you who wish to get a better view of the tea-gardens can prefer to stay at the garden itself as there are hotels placed conveniently here. The experience of staying amidst tea-gardens is so deep that it will keep lingering in your minds long after you have left the place.
travel.mapsofworld.com provides information on the Srimongol, Sylhet.
Jaintiapur
The ancient capital of Jaintiapur, Sylhet is one of the major tourist attractions in Sylhet. A trip to Jaintiapur, Sylhet is worthwhile experience as you get to learn so much about the rich history of he country of Bangladesh and its rulers. The precise location of Jaintiapur is about 43 kilometers away from the norther part of the town of Sylhet on the road connecting Sylhet and the hill-station of Shillong. Previously Jaintiapur was the capital of the ancient kingdom which comprises the Jaintia and the Khasi hills along with the plains of Jaintia.
If you visit Jaintiapur in Sylhet, you are going to be amazed to see the ruins of the long forgotten period lying scattered throughput the area. The ruins usually pertain to the 18th century kingdom which has disappeared into oblivion with the passage of time. The travelers prefer to drive down to this place themselves to catch a glimpse of the lifestyle of the people while driving. There are people who come to Jaintiapur via Jaflong as the distance is only 5 kilometers. One of the favorite tourist destinations in Jaintiapur is the Jaintia Rajbari (the dwelling place of the royal dynasties).
The kings of the kingdom of Jaintia lived here. Though the palace which is situated just adjacent to the Jaintia market or bazaar is in a dilapidated condition but it still attracts lots of tourist every year. Jaintiapur also acts as an important picnic spot as the surrounding landscape makes for a perfect backdrop especially in the winter months.
travel.mapsofworld.com provides information on the Jaintiapur, Sylhet.
The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal
The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, Sylhet is one the mos frequently visited tourist attractions in Sylhet. The travelers from all over the world come to Bangladesh and take back home a comprehensive idea about the rich cultural traditions of the country. The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, Sylhet is not only a favorite tourist destination for the followers of Islam but for everyone as it throws much light on the life of this great saint. The historical relic of The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, Sylhet built in the memory of the saint who has passed away for than 600 years ago is a favorite haunt for people of various caste and creed.
The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal in Sylhet is the chief historical interest in and around Sylhet. The shrine is visited by tourists from different places who make their journey from far away regions. The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal has a legend attached to it. The legend goes on to say that the great saint had come down from Delhi to preach the teachings of Islam in the region.
He defeated the contemporary Hindu king, Raja Gour Gobindo and transformed all of his witchcraft followers into catfishes. The common belief is that, those catfishes can still be seen swimming away in the tank which is placed just adjacent to the Shrine Swords. The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, Sylhet still preserves the robes worn by the holy saint as well as the Quran, the holy book of Islam.
travel.mapsofworld.com provides information on The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, Sylhet.
