Places Of Interest

Dhaka

More than 1500 years old city, Dhaka became capital of the country in 1608 under the Mughal rule. During ancient and medieval periods the city was known to the world for its unique product, the Muslin – the finest fabric ever produced in the world. As the capital of Bangladesh it has grown into a bustling city of trades and commerce, cultural and sport activities, vibrating with full of life. The city has two parts – the old part and the new part. The old part is known as the Old Dhaka, which developed during the Mughal period. With the happy blending of the old and new architectural trends, traditions and modernization, Dhaka has been expanding so fast since the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.

Now the city of Dhaka is filled with history, tradition and culture. It has endless numbers of activities, attractions accommodations and business opportunities.

National Assembly

This striking building, known as Sangsad Bhaban, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the new part of the Dhaka City is one of the best examples of modern architectures in the world. The central octagonal block of the building rises to a height of 155 feet. The building made of concrete and white marble stone and designed by the world renowned American architect Luis Kahn, being assisted by a famous Bangladesh architect, Mazharul Islam, was completed in 1982. It is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world.

Shaheed Minar - Central Monument for the Martyrs of Language Movement

The symbol of nationalism, the Shaheed Minar, is a national monument established to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives during the historic Language Movement demonstrations of 1952. All subsequent movements, including the Liberation War, in the country gathered inspiration from this monument. Today, the Shaheed Minar is the centre of cultural activities in Dhaka. The columns of the monument are constructed with pure marble stone upon a 4.3 m high stage. The stairs and railings are painted white to create a heavenly appearance.

National Museum

The museum, located at Shahbag, started its journey in 1913. It has very rich collections of a large number of sculptures, paintings, old coins, metal images, silver filigree, calligraphy, folk art and handicrafts etc. of ancient and medieval periods. The museum is well organized and displays have been housed in several departments like department of ethnography and decorative art, department of history and classical art, department of natural history, and department of contemporary and world civilization.

National Memorial

The striking 50m high memorial is located at Savar 35 km northwest of Dhaka. It has been built to commemorate the numerous martyrs of the War of Liberation. The Monument tower is composed of seven isosceles triangular planes, each varying in size in its height and base. The planes are folded at the middle and placed one after another. The Monument complex is spread over an area of 34 hectares wrapped around by a green belt of 10 hectares. Some of the beautifully kept grounds of the Monument contain the mass graves of some of those slaughtered in the War of Liberation.

Lalbagh Fort

It is an old Mughal fort in the southwestern part of Dhaka City. The construction of the fort was commenced in 1678 by a Mughal prince, Muhammad Azam. The fort, with its three gateways, is a combination of three buildings: the Diwan-i-Aam or Audience Hall with a Hamam Khana or Turkish bath downstairs, the Tomb of Pari Bibi and the mosque. The fort covers 18 acres of land. Of the three gateways of the fort, the southern one is the most imposing. Seen from the front, it is a three-storied structure with a front-on, bordered with slender minarets. The southern fortification wall of the fort running westward from the South Gateway stretches up to the huge bastion in the southwestern corner of the fort. On the southern part of the fort there are utility buildings, and its western part accommodates a beautiful roof-garden, with arrangements for fountains and a water reservoir. The double-storied Diwan-i-Aam is an imposing building. The Hammam complex includes an open platform, a small kitchen, an oven, water storage area, a masonry brick bath-tub, a toilet, a dressing room and an extra room. It has an underground room for boiling. The tomb of Bibi Pari, located in the center, is the most impressive of the surviving buildings of the fort. Eight rooms surround a central square room that contains the mortal remains of Bibi Pari. The central room is covered by a false octagonal-shaped dome, wrapped by a bronze plate.

Ahsan Manzil

Ahsan Manzil is one of the most significant architectural monuments of Bangladesh. It was built in 1872 in the style of Indo-Saracen Revival architecture on the bank of the river Buriganga. Also known as the Pink Palace for its color, the two-storied building stands on a raised platform of one meter. The lofty dome of the palace stands 27.13m above the ground. Once the residential palace of the Nabob of Dhaka, its now houses a splendid museum, which gives a good insight into the luxurious life-style of the past Nabobs of Dhaka.

Star Mosque

Star Mosque, locally known as Tara Masjid, is located in old part of Dhaka. The early 18th century picturesque mosque has ornate designs and is decorated with motifs of blue stars, thus it has got the name. Originally three domes crowned the mosque, the central one being the larger; now it has got five domes. Towers accented the corners of this typical Mughal style mosque and the façades display plastered panel decoration. The mosque is one of the few remaining architectural example of the Chinitikri (Chinese pieces) method of mosaic decoration. Curiously, a very interesting decorative element, the Japanese Fujiyama motif, is found on the surface between the doors.

Dhakeshwari National Temple

Dhakeshwari National Temple is a famous Hindu temple in Dhaka first built in 12th century, and later rebuilt and renovated numerous times. This state-owned temple is the ‘National Temple’. The name ‘Dhakeshwari’ means ‘Goddess of Dhaka’. Dhakeshwari Temple is the most important Hindu place of worship in Bangladesh. The four Siva temples in a line inside the temple complex are covered by tall pyramidal roofs of curvilinear Bangla style – an indigenous style of Bangladesh.

Sadarghat River Front

Sadarghat River Front, located in the southern part of Dhaka, on the river Burignaga, is one of the most dynamic places in Dhaka. Here, the Sadarghat Lunch Terminal is one of the largest river ports in the world. About 200 large and small passenger launches (motorized boats) depart and arrive at the terminal every day. According to the officials at the terminal, 30,000 people, in average, use the terminal for departure and arrival every day. At this place the scene of hundreds of country boats laden with passengers and merchandise crossing the river is fascinating.

Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery

Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery Located near the central railway station at Kamalapur, this monastery was established in 1962. The complex houses the main Shrine, the international prayer dormitory, an academy for fine arts and Nikko Niwano Clinic. The main monastery enshrines a marble stone statue of Buddha, made in the 12th century AD. There is also a bronze statue of immense religious value, which came as a gift from the Thai Government. The thousand year old black stone Buddha, many other statues from many parts of the world, the holy ash relic of great Buddhist scholar Atish Dipankar (1Oth century AD) are among the historical treasures preserved in this monastery for worship by devotees.

Sonargaon

On the Dhaka-Chittagong highway about 29 km south of Dhaka, Sonargaon is one of the oldest capitals of Bangladesh. Sonargaon is the eastern terminus of the Grand Trunk Road which was built by Emperor Chandra Gupta Maurya (ruled c. 320 BC – 298 BC) and later renovated by Emperor Sher Shah (1486 – 1545 AD). The highway extended approximately 2500 kilometers from Bangladesh across northern India to Peshwar in Pakistan. At present, Panam Nagar (the City of Panam), now a dead city, more than five hundred years old Goaldi Mosque, the Folklore Museum that houses artifacts from every cultural trait of the country are the main attractions of Sonargaon.

Comilla

About 96 km from Dhaka City, Comilla was the seat of a Buddhist civilization that flourished from 7th to 12th Century AD. At about 8 km west of Comilla Town as many as fifty spots have been marked of some of which have been dug out from under the soil of a range of low hills known as Mainamati-Lalmai Ridge. The most important of them are Shalban Vihara, Voj Vihara, Ananda Vihara, Kotila Mura, Charpatra Mura, Itakhola Mura and Rupban Mura, which have immense archeological and cultural importance. There is also a museum at Salban Vihara with a collection of historical artifacts found at the excavation sites. A visit to the World War II Cemetery at Mainamati where the bodies of 753 soldiers of the allied forces along with the bodies of some Japanese soldiers are lying is unforgettable. The Saptadasha Ratna Temple (17-towered temple built in the 17th century by Maharaja of Tripura) located at outskirt of Comilla Town, is also worth seeing.

Salban Vihara (monastery)

This ruin of a 170 sq meter 7th century Buddhist monastery has 115 monastic cells, facing a temple in the center of the inner courtyard. The temple was cruciform in structure. The entire basement wall of the monastery was heavily embellished with terracotta plaques and ornamental bricks. The site museum of the Vihara houses the finds excavated at Moinamati area, most of which belong to the 6th to 13th century AD period.

Kotila Mura

Five km north of Salban Vihara on a hill top stands the impressive Kotila Mura. It comprises three large stupas representing three jewels of Buddhism – Buddha, Damma and Sanga. The ground plan of the central stupa is in the shape of the ‘wheel of the law’ that is the Darma Chakra.

Chittagong

About 268 km from Dhaka by road and 30 minutes by air is Chittagong, the second largest city of Bangladesh. Built on the banks of Karnaphuli River, the city is home to the country’s busiest seaport. According to a report released by International Institute for Environment and Development, Chittagong is among the ten fastest growing cities in the world. The green hill forests and the sea beaches have made Chittagong a good spot for the holiday-makers. Chittagong was described by the famous Chinese traveler Yuan Chuang (7th century AD) as a sleeping beauty emerging from the mist and water and has been given the nickname "PORTO GRANDE" by the 16th century Portuguese seafarers. Chittagong has some very interesting places to visit.

Tomb of Bayezid Bostami

Situated on a hillock about 6 km away from the heart of Chittagong town, this shrine, considered to be a holy place, attracts a large number of visitors and pilgrims. The shrine is a complex consists of a tomb surrounded by brick made structure along with an old three-dome Mughal mosque and a large pond. At the foot of the tomb hill, lies a large tank with several hundred black soft shell turtles known as Bostami Kachim (turtle) – a critically endangered species. Legend says that these animals are the descendants of the evil spirits (genii) who were cast in this shape because they incurred the wrath of the great saint who visited this place about 1,100 years ago.

World War II Cemetery

In a well preserved cemetery at a quiet and picturesque place within the city, a place of historic interest, buried in eternal peace are over 755 soldiers who laid down their lives on the Indo-Burma Front during the World War II. Most of the soldiers buried there were from Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, Burma, East & West Africa, Netherlands and Japan. The total area of the cemetery is eight acres and it is protected and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Foy's Lake

In the picturesque settings of Pahartali, near the heart of Chittagong City, lies a beautiful lake amidst some beautiful hills much above the sea level. With a small zoo and a park in the neighboring area, this lake is actually a fjord, which attracts hundreds of visitors every day. A boat ride in the fjord is really unforgettable. Walking through the scenic walking trail along the lake is pleasant.

Ethnological Museum

Chittagong Ethnological Museum, situated at Agrabad Commercial Area, offers the visitors the chance to acquaint with the lifestyles and heritage of various ethnic groups of the country. It was established in 1965. The museum authorities had collected rare elements used in everyday lives of different ethnic groups, of which some had already become extinct while some were on the verge of extinction. One of the four galleries of the museum contains displays of the lifestyles of some racial groups in India, Pakistan, and Australia. The sculptures of the people of different ethnic communities draw the interest of the visitors especially the children.

Court Building

Situated on the Porir Pahar (Fairy Hill), this building commands a magnificent bird's eye view of Chittagong City. The gigantic Chittagong Court Building was built in 1773. The building is huge, over 250 thousand square feet, and has hundreds of rooms.

Chandanpura Mosque

Situated in the old city, the colorful multi domed mosque is an architectural sight to behold. Its onion shaped domes resemble the domes of Kremlin Palace in Moscow.

Chittagong Hill Tracts

The Chittagong Hill Tracts comprise an area of 13,180 sq km in south-eastern part of the country bordering with India and Myanmar. It is divided into three separate districts: Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban. Topographically, this is the only hill intensive area of Bangladesh. The region is inhabited by a number of distinctive tribes such as Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Bhomong, Kuki, the Chak, Mru, Tanchangya, Pankho etc. each tribe has its distinctive rites, rituals and dresses. They are friendly and hospitable to visitors and are well known for their love of colorful dresses, dance and music.

Rangamati

Rangamati, the focal point of Chittagong Hill Tracts, is connected with Chittagong by a 77-km metalled road. The township is located on the west bank of the Kaptai Lake, spreading over 680 sq km, having crystal-clear water and flanked by hills and ever green forests. Rangamati is a favorite holiday resort because of its beautiful landscape, tribal life, flora and fauna, angling, speedboat cruising in the lake, water-skiing, hiking or merely enjoying the natur; and also for souvenirs like homespun textiles, bamboo handbags, flower vases, silver jewelry etc.

Chitmorong

It’s a Buddhist village of the Marma tribe in Rangamati District, five km from Kaptai Town. The serene village contains some richly adorned Buddhist sculptures, a monastery and a huge stupa with a temple on the hilltop.

Bandarban

92 km from Chittagong by road, Bandarban is in South-Eastern Bangladesh and a part of the Chittagong Hill District, which has turned into one of the most exotic tourist attractions. Bandarban town is the home town of the Bohmong Chief – a tribal king. Bandarban is also the home of the Murangs and Chaks tribes, who are famous for their simple and primitive culture and life style. The three highest peak of Bangladesh – Tahjindong,, Mowdok Mual, and Keokradong as well as Raikhiang Lake, the highest lake in Bangladesh, are located in this district. Chimbuk peak and Boga Lake are two more highly noted features of the district.

Buddha Dhatu Jadi

The Buddha Dhatu Jadi, also known as the Bandarban Golden Temple, is the largest Buddhist temple in Bangladesh. Located in Balaghata on a hilltop, 4 km from the Bandarban town, the temple is an excellent place to visit. This Thervada Buddhist temple is made in the style of South-East Asia, and houses the second largest statue of Buddha in Bangladesh. A strict dress code of 'no shorts and no shoes' in temple precincts is followed here.

Cox's Bazar

About 152 km away from Chittagong by road and twenty minutes by air is Cox's Bazar, beach lovers' paradise with the longest (120 km) stretch of sea-beach in the world, sloping gently into the blue water of the Bay of Bengal. The wide beach is endowed with silvery-golden sand. The sea is good for bathing and swimming as it is free from sharks. Cox's Bazar and nearby Ramu have many pagodas and Buddhist temples containing images of the Lord Buddha in gold, bronze and other metals inlaid with precious stones. A visit to the nearby islands of Sonadia, Moheshkhali and the coral island St. Martin is also rewarding. Himchhari, only 18 km from Cox's Bazar, a chain of green hills covered by deep reserve forests, serve as picturesque background to the beach. A jeep drive towards Himchhary on the beach between the hills and the sea is extremely enjoyable.

The beach is the main attraction of the town. Larger hotels provide exclusive beachside area with accessories for the hotel guests.

Laboni Beach the main beach of Cox's Bazar as it is closest to the town. Close to the beach, there are hundreds of small shops selling souvenirs and beach accessories to the tourists.

Himchari is located about 18 km south of Cox’s Bazar along the sea beach and is famous for its waterfalls. The road to Himchari runs by the open sea on one side and hills on the other which makes the journey to Himchari very attractive.

Enani Beach is located 35 km south of Cox’s Bazar. The beach is famous for its golden sand and clean shark free water, which is ideal for sea bathing.

Other attractions of Cox’s Bazar:

Aggmeda Khyang is a large Buddhist monastery in Cos’s Bazar Town. The main sanctuary is posted on a series of round timber columns. It has a prayer chamber and an assembly hall along with a repository of large and small bronze Buddha images and a number of old manuscripts.

Ramu is about 10 km from Cox’s Bazar. There are monasteries, khyangs and pagodas containing images of Buddha in gold, bronze. One of the most interesting of these temples is on the bank of the Baghkhali river. It houses a large bronze statue of Buddha measuring thirteen feet high and rests on a six feet high pedestal. The wood carving of this khyang is very delicate and refined. The village has a charm of its own. Weavers ply their trade in open workshops and craftsmen make handmade cigars in their pagoda like houses.

Dulhazara Safari Park is an extension of an animal sanctuary located along the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar road about 50 km from Cox's Bazar town. The sanctuary itself protects a large number of wild elephants which are native to the area. Other animal attractions include lions, Bengal tigers, Crocodiles, Bears and lots of different types of birds and monkeys.

Moheshkhali is a small island off the Cox’s Bazar coast. The island offers panoramic scenic beauty and is covered by a range of low hills. Adinath Siva Temple, and a Buddhist pagoda are also located on this island.

Sonadia Island is a small crescent shaped island with an area of 9 sq km, and 7-km north-west of Cox's Bazar. During winter, fishermen set up temporary camps on the island and dry their catches. Another attraction of this island is the sight of migrating birds in great numbers during the winter seasons.

St. Martin Island is a coral island in the northeast part of the Bay of Bengal, about 9 km south of the tip of the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula, and about 8 km west of the coast of Myanmar, at the mouth of the Naf River. Some shipping liners run daily trips to the island. The island is home to several endangered species of turtles, as well as the corals, some of which are found only on this island.

Barisal

The best attraction of the Barisal Division is Kuakata Sea Beach.

Kuakata

Kuakata, locally known as Sagor Kannya or ‘Daughter of the Sea’ is a unique combination of pristine sandy beaches bordered by the Bay of Bengal, patches of mangrove trees withstanding the perpetual forces of the tides. Kuakata is located about 71 km south of the sea-queen district of Patuokholi; and about 320 km south of capital, Dhaka. The beach is about 30 km long and 3 km width, elongated east-westward, gently sloping into the Bay. The place offers a full view of the sunrise and sunset from the same white sandy beach in the water of the Bay of Bengal; and it is also a sanctuary for migratory winter birds. Kuakata is a place of pilgrimage for both Hindu and Buddhist communities. Innumerable devotees arrive here at the festival of 'Rush Purnima' and 'Maghi Purnima'. On these two occasions the pilgrims take holy bath at the bay and participate in the traditional fairs. Fisherman village is another attraction of this place where one can visit and watch the lifestyle of the fisherman.

Other destinations in Kuakata

Latachopli and Tangragiri reserved forests in the Kolapara Thana, Gangamoti and Khajura reserve forests on the east and western part of the beach respectively are bestowed with natural mangrove species like keora, gewa, boen, kankra, goran, betal, golpata and numbers of wild animals like wild boar, deer, monkey and different types of birds.

Khulna

Located on the bank of Rupsha River at about 320 km southwest of Dhaka by road, Khulna is the country's third biggest city and a thriving inland port. The city is a major industrial and commercial center. It serves as the gateway to the sea port of Mongla and the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest. A paddle-steamer journey between Dhaka and Khulna on the rivers running through the green countryside is an unforgettable experience.

The Sundarbans Mangrove Forest

Spread over an area of about 10,000 sq km of deltaic swamps along the coastal belt of Bangladesh and Indian state of West Bengal, the Sundarbans is the home of Royal Bengal Tigers, spotted deer, crocodile. The dense, evergreen forests of the Sundarbans are criss-crossed by a network of rivers, canals and creeks. Often swimming tigers in rivers and crocodiles basking in the sun on riverside can be seen. The Sundarbans is also the natural habitat of jungle fowls, wild boars, lizards, rhesus monkeys and innumerable varieties of beautiful birds. The Sundarbans is the largest Mangrove forest in the world and a Natural World Heritage designated by the UNESCO.

Shat Gambuj Mosque

About 30 km away from Khulna City Stands the Shat Gombuj Mashjid or Sixty-dome Mosque at a place called Bagerhat. The saint, Khan Jahan Ali (14421459) adorned Bagerhat with numerous mosques, tanks, roads and other public buildings. Among the mosques the most imposing one is the Shat Gombuj Mosque, which is the largest multi-domed mosque in Bangladesh. The stately fabric of the monument stands on the eastern bank of a vast sweet-water tank, clustered around by the foliage of countryside. About 3 km from the mosque stands the shrine of the saint flanked by a vast tank, dug by him. A few crocodiles can be seen in this tank, which are believed to be cursed by the saint and have been living for several hundred years. The Shat Gombuj Mosque is a World Cultural Heritage designated by the UNESCO. .

Kodla Math

Kodla Math at Bagerhat, an old Hindu religious structure, is also known as the Ayudha Math. This 20m high impressive brick tower looks rather like a giant beehive. Some delicate terracotta artworks can be seen on the walls of this 17th century structure. Three arched doorways on three sides of the math leads through the three meters thick walls to the square sanctum.

Rajshahi

268 km from Dhaka by road and 30 minutes by air, the divisional city of Rajshahi is situated on the north bank of the river Padma. Rajshahi is famous for its silk industries. Fine and cheap silk products of Rajshahi have earned it the nickname Silk City. As it is home to renowned educational institutions covering almost all of professional and cultural fields available within, so it is also referred to as Education City in Bangladesh. Rajshahi District is well known for its fruits, especially for mango and litchi.

Varendra Research Museum

The Varendra Research Museum, one of the oldest museums in the South Asian subcontinent, is situated in the heart of Rajshahi city. Started in 1912, it is one of the first non government initiatives for building a museum. The museum has a large collection of ancient and medieval black basalt statues of Buddhist and Hindu origins.

Interesting places in Rajshahi Division

Puthia Temple Complex

The complex consists of a cluster of notable old Hindu temples at Puthia, located 23 km to the east of Rajshahi city. This place has the largest number of historic temples in Bangladesh. The temples have been built in terracotta in a variety of styles combining the typical Jor Bangla Architecture with other influences. The Rajbari or Palace of the Raja of Puthia is a part of the complex. The famous temples of the complex are:

Pancharatna Gobinda Temple

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the Govinda Temple was erected in mid-nineteenth century by the queen of Puthia. The temple has exquisite terracotta ornamentation depicting the divine romance between Lord Krishna and one of his consorts, Radha.

Jagannath Temple

The Jagannath Temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Jagannath, a form of Vishnu. It is a fine example of Bangladeshi architecture, having intricate embellishments and terracotta reliefs.

Siva Temple

This temple, built in 1815 by the queen of Puthia and dedicated to the Hindu God, Siva, is the largest Siva temple in Bangladesh. In the sanctum of the temple lies a very large black basalt Siva Linga, one of the largest in the country.

Paharpur Mahavihara

In the serene and picturesque surroundings of Naogaon district there stands at the village of Paharpur the relics of the Paharpur Mahavihara – the single largest Buddhist monastery in the world. Built during the 8th century AD, this great monastery is now a World Cultural Heritage designated by the UNESCO. In the center of the inner courtyard of the monastery stands 72 feet high gigantic stupa. The quadrangular monastery has 177 monastic cells. Numerous votive stupas dot its inner courtyard. The 63 large stone images and about 3,000 beautiful terra-cotta plaques of the monastery depict many Buddhist religious and other stories.

Mahasthangarh

Mahasthangarh is the earliest urban archaeological site so far discovered in Bangladesh. The site is about 12 km north of Bogra Town contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara. The fortified area or the citadel of the ancient city was in use till the 18th century AD. The urban civilization started here most probably in 3rd century BC or earlier. The citadel, the fortified heart of the ancient city, is rectangular in plan, measuring roughly 1.523 km long from north to south, and 1.371 km from east to west, with high and wide ramparts in all its wings. The Koratoya River flows on its east. At present there are several mounds and structural vestiges inside the fortifications. Of these a few of note are: Jiat Kunda (well possessing life giving power), Mankalir Dhap (place consecrated to Mankali), Parasuramer Basgriha (palace of a king named Parasuram), Bairagir Bhita (palace of a female anchorite), Khodar Pathar Bhita (place of stone bestowed by God) etc. A little beyond the citadel is Govinda Bhita (a temple dedicated to Govinda). In front of it is the site museum, displaying some of the representative findings.

Rangpur Division

The two most interesting places to visit in Rangpur Division are the Kantaji Temple and Tajhat Rajbari.

Kantajew Temple

Kantaji Temple is a late medieval Hindu temple in Dinajpur. It boasts one of the finest examples on terracotta architecture in the country. The temple has been built in a nava-ratna (nine-spire) style. The 52 feet square temple reaches a height of about 50 ft (15 m). The curved cornice from the ground floor, which sharply drops at the corners, rises in the middle to a height of 25 ft (7.62 m) from the plinth. The temple contains four rectangular alleys on the ground floor circling the prayer hall. On the ground floor three multi-cusped arched entrances on each side are present, which are separated by two ornate brick pillars. The terracotta plaques on the walls of the temple narrate mythological stories from Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Tajhat Palace

This palace, located in the outskirt of Rangpur Town, is one of the finest rajbaris (manor house) ever built in Bangladesh. This huge building, built during the mid-19th century, is impressive with a frontage of about 80m. The balcony roof of the building is supported by Corinthian columns. Tajhat Palace now houses a museum.

Sylhet

About 272 km from Dhaka by road and 30 minutes by air is Sylhet known as "The land of two leaves and a bud" for its numerous tea gardens. It is a major city in north-eastern part of the country. Sylhet is located on the banks of the Surma River and is surrounded by the Jaintia, Khasi and Tripura hills. The city is also described as a City of Saints, with the mausoleum of the great saint Hazrat Shah Jalal of 14th century. The major tourist destinations surrounding the city are Jaflong and Madhabkunda.

Madhabkunda is a famous remote waterfall situated in Borolekha, about three hours drive from Sylhet. The waterfall attracts large numbers of tourists every day, especially during winter. Working elephants can be seen near the waterfall hauling huge logs.

Jaflong 3 hours drive to the north from Sylhet near the Indian border, Jaflong has the largest number of tea estates in this region. This is one of the most scenic areas of the country and also a major tribal area where many Khasi people are found.