The world knows Dhaka for its traffic and energy. But ask any British-Bangladeshi where their heart lies, and the answer is almost always the same: Sylhet.
Often jokingly called “Second London” due to the massive diaspora living in the UK, Sylhet offers something that neither London nor Dhaka can provide: absolute, green silence.
If you are a German tourist looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, or a Bangladeshi expat planning your next “Desh-visit,” here is why Sylhet needs to be at the top of your list.
1. The “London” Connection Walking through the streets of Sylhet city, don’t be surprised to see double-decker London buses or shopping malls named “Millennium.” The connection runs deep. Over 95% of British-Bangladeshis originate from this region. But leave the city center, and the concrete quickly disappears. The real magic of Sylhet isn’t in its shopping malls—it is in its fifty shades of green.
2. The Amazon of Bengal: Ratargul Swamp Forest Imagine a forest that floats. Ratargul is one of the few freshwater swamp forests in the world.
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The Experience: You hire a small, silent wooden boat (dinghy). As you glide through the narrow canals, trees rise directly out of the water, their roots twisting like snakes.
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The Vibe: It is eerie, calm, and incredibly photogenic. It looks like the Amazon, but safe and accessible.
3. The Endless Tea Gardens You cannot speak of Sylhet without tea. The region produces the tea that the world drinks. Just driving through the roads of Sreemangal is therapy. The rolling hills are covered in a manicured green carpet of tea leaves as far as the eye can see.
Verdict: Germany has the Black Forest. London has Hyde Park. But Sylhet has a raw, tropical beauty that is unmatched. Next time you fly to Bangladesh, skip the chaos of the capital for a few days and breathe in the fresh air of the East.
