Tropical monsoon with a predominantly hot and humid summer and a relatively cool winter is the characteristics of the climate of Sylhet. The region is within the monsoon climatic zone. It has annual average highest temperatures of 23°C (Aug-Oct) and average lowest temperature of 7°C (Jan). Almost 80% of the annual average rainfall of 3,334 mm occurs between May and September.

The Sylhet Division is one of the most distinctive regions in Bangladesh with its hills and basins constitute. Located to the north-east of the country the Sylhet Division lies between 23º59’ & 25º13’ north latitude and 90º54’ & 90 º 30’ east longitudes. The physiographic of Sylhet comprises mainly of hill soils, surrounding a few large depressions known locally as "beels" which can be mainly classified as oxbow lakes, caused by tectonic subsidence mainly during the earthquake of 1762. It is bordered by the Indian states of the Meghalaya in the north, Assam in the east, Tripura in the south and the Bangladesh districts of Netrokona, Kishoregonj and Brahmanbaria in the west. Sylhet Division has an area of 12,569 km², which is about 8 percent of the total land area of Bangladesh.

Weather averages for Sylhet, Bangladesh
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °F (°C)	77 (25)	80 (27)	86 (30)	87 (31)	86 (30)	86 (30)	86 (30)	87 (31)	86 (30)	86 (30)	82 (28)	78 (26)	84 (29)
Average low °F (°C)	53 (12)	55 (13)	64 (18)	69 (21)	71 (22)	75 (24)	77 (25)	77 (25)	75 (24)	71 (22)	62 (17)	55 (13)	66 (19)
Precipitation inches (mm)	0.4 (10.2)	1 (25.4)	4.1 (104.1)	13.7 (348)	21.9 (556.3)	32 (812.8)	31.5 (800.1)	24.5 (622.3)	20.2 (513.1)	9.5 (241.3)	1 (25.4)	0.3 (7.6)	160.1 (4,066.5)

The Past

Sylhet was an expanded commercial center from the ancient period, which explains its original namesake. At that period, Sylhet was probably inhabited by Indo-Aryan Brahmins, however ethnically the population would also have traces of Assamese. It has also been suggested that Ancient Kingdom of Harikela was situated in modern Sylhet.

During the ancient and early medieval period, Sylhet was governed mainly by local chieftains as viceroy of the kings of Pragjyotishpur. The Maharaja Sri Chandra, of northern Bengal, conquered Bengal in the 10th century is suggested by some evidence, although this is a much disputed topic amongst Bangladeshi historians and archaeologists. This was a period of relative riches and there is little evidence to suggest this was marred by wars or disputes. Sylhet was definitely known by the rest of India, and is even referred to in the ancient Hindu sacred Tantric text, the Shakti Sangama Tantra, as 'Silhatta'. The last chieftain to reign in Sylhet was Govinda of Gaur.

Islamic influence in Sylhet begins in the 14th century. A messianic Muslim saint, Hazrat Shah Jalal, arrived in Sylhet in 1303 from Mecca via Delhi and Dhaka. The patron saint, Hazrat Shah Jalal who is said to have come from Konya, Turkey to spread Sufism. He came with the instructions for aiding Sikhander Khan Ghazi in defeating Govinda of Gaur. Sikhander Khan Ghazi was the direct nephew of sultan Firoz Shah of Delhi. Under the spiritual leadership of Hazrat Shah Jalal and his 360 companions the local pagans were brought under control and they began to spread Islam. He died in Sylhet in or around the year 1350. His shrine is located inside the parameter of the mosque complex known as Dargah-e-Shah Jalal. Even today Shah Jalal remains revered; visitors arrive from all over Bangladesh and beyond to pay homage. Saints such as Shah Jalal or even, Shah Paran were responsible for the conversion of most of the populace from native religion of Hinduism or Buddhism to Islam. Shortly thereafter, Sylhet became a centre of Islam in Bengal. In the official documents and historical papers, Sylhet was often referred to as Jalalbad during the era of the Muslim rule.

The British East India Company became interested in Sylhet in the late 18th century and saw it as an area of strategic importance in the war against Burma. Sylhet steadily was absorbed into British control and administration and was ruled as a part of Bengal. After the British administrative reorganization of India, Sylhet was eventually included into Assam. It remained a part of Assam for the rest of the era of British rule. In 1947, following a referendum as it has Muslim Majority most voted to be a part of East Pakistan. Almost all of erstwhile Sylhet became a part of East Pakistan, barring the Karimganj subdivision which was incorporated into the new Indian state of Assam. In 1971, Sylhet became part of the newly formed independent country of Bangladesh.

A "friendship link" with the city of St Albans, in the United Kingdom was established in 1988 when the District council supported a housing project in Sylhet as part of the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless. Sylhet was chosen because it is the area of origin for the largest ethnic minority group in St Albans.

Places to See

• The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal: Among the several places of historical interest in Sylhet town the shrine of Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal is the most popular one. More than six hundred years after the death of Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal, the shrine is visited by countless devotees of every caste and creed, who make the journey from distant places. Legend says, the great saint who came from Delhi to preach Islam, defeated the then Hindu Raja (king) Gour Govinda. He transformed the witchcraft followers of the Raja into catfishes which are still alive in the tank adjacent to the shrine Swords. The holy Quran and the robes of the holy saint are still preserved in the shrine.
• Shahi Eidgah: Shahi Eidgah is located three kilometers to the north-east of the circuit house. The Shahi Eidgah was built on a hill by the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb in the 17th century. It looks like a majestic fortress but is actually meant for Eid congregation for the two biggest Muslim festivals.
• Gour Gobinda Fort: Gour Gobinda's Fort is situated in a beautiful surrounding on a hilltop. To the north-west of the Murarichand Government College lie the remains of King Gour Gobinda's Fort.
• Jaintiapur: Positioned at 43 km. to the north of Sylhet town, on the Sylhet - Shillong road, Jaintiapur was the capital of an ancient realm which incorporated the Khasi and Jaintia Hills and plains of Jaintia. Attractive ruins of this forgotten period lie scattered throughout Jaintiapur. A drive to Jaintiapur is a facinating and worthwhile experience.
• Tamabil-Jaflong: Located amidst fabulous landscape, Tamabil is a border outpost on Sylhet-Shilong Road about 55 km. away from Sylhet town. In addition to captivating sight of the area one can also have a glimpse of the waterfalls across the border from Tamabil. Jaflong is also a picturesque spot nearby among tea gardens and rate beauty of rolling stones from hills.
• Sri Mangal: Sri Mangal is renowned for the largest tea gardens of the world enclosed by lush green carpet. You can have a look into the amazing tea processing which will give you insight of the tea you drink at Tea Research Institute. Bangladesh manufactures exports a large amount of high quality tea every year. Most of the tea estates are in Sri Mangal. It is known as "The land of two leaves and a bud". It is also called camellia, green carpet or Tea Mountain. There are a lot of tea estates as well as the largest one in the world. With the terraced tea garden, there are pineapple, rubber and lemon plantations from a beautiful landscape. It is recognized as the tea capital in Bangladesh. Just offer inward bound into the tea estates the nice smells and green beauty will lead you many kilometers away.
• Lawacherra Rain Forest: In Bangladesh Lawacherra Rain Forest is one of the important & well-reserved forests. In this tropical forest, visitor may see gibbons swimming through the trees and birds like bee-eater owls parrot. It is a good habitant of Deer, leopard, wild chicken, squirrel, and python. Don't miss it particularly if you are bird watcher. The scenery is hilly and vegetation is fairly thick. Only one rare Chloroform tree of Asia is here and a prime attraction for the travelers.
• Madhabkunda: Madhabkunda enclosed by flourishing tea estates and full of Water Lilies is a unique one. Magurchara ruined gas & Oil reserved field, which was accidentally blown up while digging 3 years ago and was burning a 500-feet height for more than 3 months. A lot of burnt trees now carrying the symbol of that disastrous incident happened 3 years back. Ever where a lot of rubber & lemon plantation form a beautiful site. And you can have a visit to Madhobkundo waterfall too. It is one of the most beautiful picturesque waterfalls of the country.

Things to Do

Except from site-seeing there isn’t much to do. But there are many different places that you should see that time passing aren’t a problem for the tourists visiting Sylhet. Although if you get tired of site-seeing you can go for shopping, as Sylhet is also famous for its tribal handicrafts.

Buy: By Bangladeshi standard, city of Sylhet is perhaps the most expensive place. But it has diversity of shopping malls, shops and boutiques, offering a range of designers and locally made ladies, gents and children wear and tribal handicrafts. For shopping you can go to these places:

• 1. Al Hamra
• 2. Blue Water
• 3. Millennium
• 4. Aarong
• 5. Monorom
• 6. Artisti
• 7. Westecs
• 8. Signature, kumarpara.

Eat: the price of food here is very much reasonable and some great places to eat are given below:

• 1. Silver Palace, noya sorok.
• 2. Chiangmai Chinese Restaurant.
• 3. Chicken Hut.
• 4. Pizza Shop.
• 5. Alpine Restaurant (traditional).
• 6. Prithiraj (traditional).

Communication and Network

Sylhet has a highly developed communication and network system. It has both land line and mobile phone network. As it is one of the divisional headquarter its internet infrastructure is well build and has a very high speed internet connection.

So, no doubt that Sylhet is a wonderful place of nature to visit and if you haven’t been there then you will miss enjoying a unique natural feature the world's largest tea garden. That’s why without visiting Sylhet a trip to Bangladesh can’t be satisfied.

Places to stay

FThe price of the hotels differs on the basis of tourist season and off season. For more information, go to the hotel page or click here. You will find all the information you need to choose a suitable place to stay at Sylhet.