natural wonder
Dawki (Umngot River)
A crystal-clear river on the India-Bangladesh border where boats appear to float in mid-air above the visible riverbed, surrounded by lush green hills.
35 km · about 40 min drive
AsiaBangladeshSylhet Division
Sylhet
Sylhet Division, Bangladesh · Asia
About Sylhet
Sylhet sits on the route: 25 minutes from Jahedpur, 35km from Dawki (Umngot River).
Sylhet is in Sylhet Division, Bangladesh, with about 240,000 people. The nearest town is Jahedpur, about 24 km away.
Sylhet is a metropolitan city in the northeastern region of Bangladesh. It serves as the administrative centre for both the Sylhet District and the Sylhet Division. The city is situated on the banks of the Surma River and, as of 2025, the metro area population of Sylhet is estimated to be 1,033,000, reflecting a 3.4%Read more
increase from 2024.
Sylhet is known for its tea plantations and natural scenery. Sylhet is famous for the Ratargul Swamp Forest, one of the few freshwater swamp forests in Bangladesh. The region has been inhabited since ancient times, and since the city's establishment in the 14th century has been ruled by various dynasties including the Mughals, the British, and the Nawabs of Bengal. The city is also home to several important landmarks, such as one of the Islamic sites in Bangladesh, the Shah Jalal Dargah, which attracts thousands of pilgrims annually.
Sylhet is one of the most economically important cities in Bangladesh after Dhaka and Chittagong. A major commercial and financial centre, Sylhet is home to several multinational companies and industries, including the tea industry, which generates a significant amount of revenue for the city. Sylhet has diverse transport infrastructure, with a modern airport, railway station, and bus terminals that connect it to other parts of the country. The city also has several educational institutions, including Sylhet Agricultural University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, MAG Osmani Medical College and Sylhet Cadet College.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Sylhet?
Within an hour or so of Sylhet: Dawki (Umngot River) (35 km), Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya (38 km), Cherrapunji (Sohra) (44 km), Nohkalikai Falls (46 km).
Where is Sylhet?
Sylhet is in Sylhet Division, Bangladesh, about 24 km from Jahedpur.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 237,000
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Bangladesh
- Region
- Sylhet Division
- Timezone
- Asia/Dhaka
- Coordinates
- 24.8990, 91.8720
Tags
Worth the detour from Sylhet
5 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya
Bioengineered bridges grown from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees by the Khasi and Jaintia people over centuries, including the famous double-decker bridge.
38 km · about 45 min drive
natural wonder
Cherrapunji (Sohra)
One of the wettest places on Earth with dramatic canyon views, stunning waterfalls, and the famous living root bridges of the Khasi people.
44 km · about 50 min drive
waterfall
Nohkalikai Falls
India's tallest plunge waterfall at 340 meters in Meghalaya, plummeting into a deep green pool during monsoon season.
46 km · about 55 min drive
natural wonder
Mawsynram
The wettest inhabited place on Earth receiving an average annual rainfall of nearly 12,000 millimeters, surrounded by dramatic Khasi Hills scenery.
53 km · about 60 min drive
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