Jaflong is located 62 kilometers northeast of Sylhet city, nestled at the foothills of the Khasi-Jaintia hills along the border with India, in the Gowainghat sub-district by the Mari River. Jaflong is famous for its mountains, rivers, and especially for its stones. For many years, local laborers have earned their livelihood by working with stones. Due to its location at the border, the hills and the Dawki River from India’s Dawki region flow into Bangladesh through Jaflong. Situated in the Piyain River basin, Jaflong is characterized by the clear waters of the Piyain River flowing over stones, the iconic hanging Dawki Bridge, small indigenous settlements tucked between towering hills, and the play of white clouds, which all make Jaflong unique. It is often referred to as the “Daughter of Nature.” Among the plant species in the Jaflong area, short palm trees are common. Additionally, many bats inhabit the area around coconut and areca nut trees. From Jaflong, one can see Dawki, the gateway to India’s famous hill towns of Shillong and Cherrapunji.
The history behind the naming of Jaflong
During the time of the Khasi Malniang Kingdom, one of its capitals was Ballapunji. In this Malniang Kingdom, there was a “Market of Joy,” which was called “Jaflong” in their local language. Ballapunji was a part of this very Jaflong area.
The history of Jaflong
According to historians, Jaflong was a secluded forest for thousands of years, ruled by the Khasi and Jaintia kings. In 1954, the abolition of the zamindari system marked the end of their kingdom. The area remained desolate for several years afterward. Later, stone traders began arriving in Jaflong by river, gradually leading to the establishment of new settlements. In the 1980s, with the construction of a 55-kilometer road connecting Jaflong to Sylhet, tourism started to flourish in the area.
| The Mystery of Bhuter Pathor Cave |
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Looking from Jaflong towards the Dawki Bridge, one can clearly see Bhuter Pathor, a rock that, at first glance, resembles the skeletal remains of a monster and appears to be weeping endlessly. Various legends and myths surround this Bhuter Pathor. One popular tale goes like this, “A Sufi saint used to meditate here. One day, villagers from the surrounding area came to him, seeking refuge and sharing their troubles. They told him of a demon that terrorized the village, capturing and devouring people. Hearing their plight, the saint advised them to take shelter in the cave where he meditated. Meanwhile, the demon searched the entire village but found no one, so he approached the cave, drawn by the scent and sounds of humans. As the demon approached, the saint blocked his way. Enraged, the demon threatened to eat all the villagers right before the saint and even intended to start with him. Despite the saint’s warning, the demon laughed it off and moved to attack the saint. At that moment, the saint, using his mystical powers, struck the demon, turning him into stone with a single blow.” This story might not be mere folklore, as right beside Bhuter Pathor lies the tomb of that very saint. Since Bhuter Pathor and its cave are located in Dawki, Meghalaya, India, a passport and permission from authorities are required to visit this site. |
| When will you go? |
| Jaflong showcases different scenic charms in each season, attracting tourists year-round. During winter, the river water is low enough to cross on foot. In contrast, the river is full of swift currents in the monsoon, revealing scattered stones, lush green hills, and enchanting waterfalls. Therefore, the monsoon and post-monsoon periods, from June to November, are considered the best times to visit Jaflong. |
| Special advice |
| Avoid littering and do not engage in any activities harmful to nature and the environment. Keep your belongings, mobile, and camera under your own responsibility. Seek assistance from the tourist police if needed. Avoid arguments with locals. To reduce trip expenses, travel in a group. If you want to shop, negotiate prices and check the quality carefully. Ensure products are not fake or adulterated, as many items are counterfeit. Prices tend to rise on holidays. |
| Special caution |
| Since this is a border area, please adhere to all border guidelines. The Bangladesh Border Guard holds no responsibility if one crosses the boundary marked by stones that define the international border between India and Bangladesh. A passport and permission are essential for entering India; never wander inside India without a passport. Due to stone extraction, some parts of the river have become quite deep, and these areas are sometimes hard to spot because of the currents. Therefore, exercise caution when entering the water, and wear a life jacket, even if you are a good swimmer. |
| Distance of Jaflong from various divisional cities of the country |
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| Dhaka | 295 km. (By Sylhet Highway Root) |
| Rajshahi | 508 km. (By Dhaka – Sylhet Highway Root) |
| Rangpur | 557 km. (By Dhaka – Sylhet Highway Root) |
| Sylhet | 62 km. |
| Mymensingh | 217 km. (By Sunamganj Highway Root) |
| Khulna | 433 km. (By Dhaka – Sylhet Highway Root) |
| Barishal | 406 km. (By Dhaka – Sylhet Highway Root) |
Chittagong/
Caṭṭagrāma
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444 km. (By Dhaka – Sylhet Highway Root) |
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Since there is no direct transportation to Jaflong from other parts of the country except Sylhet, you must first travel to Sylhet. |
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Ways to go from Dhaka |
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Buses:-
(Before traveling, always make sure to confirm where you are going and whether the transportation options will get you to your destination on time. Because along with changes in time, information can also be subject to change.) |
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| Train |
Trains:-
(Taking the Ubudan Express is the most convenient option for traveling by train. The train schedule may change, so it’s best to check ahead before making a decision.) |
| Air Plane |
Airplanes:-
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Ways to go from Rajshahi |
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| Bus |
Bus Stands:-
Buses:-
(Before traveling, always make sure to confirm where you are going and whether the transportation options will get you to your destination on time. Because along with changes in time, information can also be subject to change.) |
| Train |
[There is no direct train from Rajshahi to Sylhet. You will need to first go to Dhaka and then take a train from there.] Popular trains to Dhaka:
[Since you have to catch the Dhaka mail train. So first it is better to go to Dhaka by fast express from Natore] |
| Air Plane |
Air Planes:
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Ways to go from Rangpur |
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| Bus |
Bus Stands:-
Buses:-
(Before traveling, always make sure to confirm where you are going and whether the transportation options will get you to your destination on time. Because along with changes in time, information can also be subject to change.) |
| Train |
[There is no direct train from Rangpur to Sylhet. You have to go to Dhaka first and then take the train.] Popular trains to Dhaka:
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| Air Plane |
[Since there is no airport in Rangpur, you will need to travel to Sylhet from Syadpur.] Air Planes:
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Ways to go from Chittagong |
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| Bus |
Bus Stands:-
Buses:-
(Before traveling, always make sure to confirm where you are going and whether the transportation options will get you to your destination on time. Because along with changes in time, information can also be subject to change.) |
| Train |
Popular trains:
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| Air Plane |
Air Planes:
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Ways to go from Mymensingh |
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| Bus |
Bus Stands:-
Buses:-
(Before traveling, always make sure to confirm where you are going and whether the transportation options will get you to your destination on time. Because along with changes in time, information can also be subject to change.) |
| Train |
[There is no direct train from Mymensingh to Sylhet. You have to go to Dhaka first and then take the train.] Popular trains to Dhaka:
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Ways to go from Khulna |
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| Bus |
[There is no direct bus service available from Khulna to Sylhet. You have to go to Dhaka first and then take train or bus or airplane.] Bus Stands:-
Buses to Dhaka:-
(Before traveling, always make sure to confirm where you are going and whether the transportation options will get you to your destination on time. Because along with changes in time, information can also be subject to change.) |
| Train |
[There is no direct train from Khulna to Sylhet. You have to go to Dhaka first and then take the train] Popular trains to Dhaka:
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| Air Plane |
[There is no direct flight from Khulna to Sylhet. You have to go to Dhaka first and then go by bus or train or airplane.] Air Planes to Dhaka:
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Ways to go from Barishal |
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| Bus |
Bus Stands:-
Buses:-
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Sylhet to Jaflong From Kadamtali in Sylhet, you can find local and gate-locked non-stop buses heading to Jaflong. Additionally, buses are available from Sobhanighat in the city. Besides buses, there is a direct Laguna (local transport) service. From in front of Bandarbazar Children’s Park, you can take a microbus or a CNG auto-rickshaw on a contract or reserved basis. |
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Accommodation and food |
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[Typically, tourists visiting Jaflong return to Sylhet city for the night. However, if you wish to stay in the Jaflong area, there are options near Jaflong Zero Point, such as Green Resort, or in the Mamar Bazar area, including Jaflong Inn Hotel, Hotel Paris, and other guesthouses. For accommodation in government rest houses, prior permission is required.] |
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| Residential Hotels |
Residential Hotels in Sylhet:
(If you search the internet with the name of the residential hotels, you will get all the information related to booking.) |
| Restaurants |
Restaurants at Jinda Bazar:
Restaurants at Jaflong Road, Mirabazar:
Other Restaurants:
(You will find many restaurants anywhere in the city or around residential hotels.) |
Note- Beware of all kinds of brokers/scammers. Be very careful on the way so as not to get into any kind of danger. In case of any problem, take the help of local administration or call the National Emergency Service of Bangladesh – 999.
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Other Tourist Attractions in Sylhet
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| 1. Hazrat Shahjalal Rah. Shrine |
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The Malnicherra Tea Garden, the oldest and largest established tea plantation in the Indian subcontinent, is located on the outskirts… Read More
শাহ জালাল (রাহ.) বাংলার একজন প্রখ্যাত সুফি দরবেশ। শুধু বাংলার নয়, সম্পূর্ণ পাক-ভারতীয় উপমহাদেশে তিনি বিখ্যাত। পুরো নাম শাহ জালাল… Read More
মেঘলা পর্যটন কমপ্লেক্স বান্দরবান জেলার প্রবেশ পথে (বান্দরবান-কেরাণীহাট) সড়কের পাশে পার্বত্য জেলা পরিষদ সংলগ্ন এলাকায় অবস্থিত। এটি বান্দরবান শহর থেকে… Read More
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বাকলাই জলপ্রপাত বাংলাদেশের বান্দরবন জেলার থানচি উপজেলার নাইটিং মৌজার বাকলাই গ্রামে অবস্থিত। স্থানীয়দের নিকট “বাক্তলাই ঝর্ণা” নামেও পরিচিত। মুলত কেওক্রাডং… Read More
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