Sylhet

Sylhet is a city unlike any other, with a close-knit community spirit and the bustle of a city that’s on the rise. With such close ties to many British Bangladeshi, Sylhet’s lean towards western culture makes it an approachable base for those visiting Bangladesh for the first time. There are several border crossings in Sylhet, and many visitors enjoy having their photo taken with one foot in Bangladesh and the other in India.

It’s impossible to talk about Sylhet without mentioning tea, the city’s biggest export, and part of an unmissable experience for tourists. Make sure you visit one of the local tea plantations like Lala Khal. This can be reached via boat trip across the Surma River which runs throughout the city. It’s one of the most picturesque tea gardens around, with friendly local villages nearby also worth exploring. British tourists will feel the benefit from Sylhet’s favourable exchange rate and low prices. Even Sylhet’s best hotels offer rooms within the budget of most tourists. Shopping in Sylhet is also relatively inexpensive, and the city has plenty to offer - almost anything can be found in the malls and bazaars. Don’t miss the local market which is held in Sylhet on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Typical Bangladeshi cuisine includes delicious curries, paratha flatbread and kacchi biryani. However, visitors will also find plenty of fast food here like kebabs, chips, and burgers. To achieve that authentic taste, your hotel might even be able to hook you up with a cooking lesson in the home of a local family.

Bangladeshi culture includes various annual festivals, which are celebrated with spiritual music performances and colourful parades. If you have the chance to visit the city during one of these momentous events, make the most of it!