Sylhet, Bangladesh is a region endowed with mesmerizing natural beauty. Lush green hills, expansive tea gardens, and meandering rivers create an irresistible canvas of diversity. This Jaflong travel guide is going to highlight the spellbinding charm of this traveler’s paradise. Origin of the Name Jaflong The name Jaflong is steeped in the history of the Khasi people. The term "Jaflong," with its connotation of a “haat (market) of pleasure”, finds its roots in the Khasi culture. Geographical Location of Jaflong Jaflong is nestled at the foothills of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills, approximately 62 km to the northeast of Sylhet. These majestic mountains serve as a natural border, separating Bangladesh from India along the Meghalaya border. The surrounding region falls within the Piyain River basin in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet district. It's through Jaflong that the Dawki River enters Bangladesh from the hills located in India. Read more: Tinap Saitar Waterfall Travel Guide: Visit a pristine natural fountain in Bandarban Best Time to Visit Jaflong Jaflong's charm undergoes a captivating transformation with each season. However, it is during the rainy season that the destination is in its full glory. Those who desire to experience the beauty of this water kingdom must visit during the rainy season. The period from June to October is the recommended period for the visit. During this time, the greenery of the mountains flourishes and becomes even more captivating, extending into November. What to See on the Jaflong Trip Standing knee-deep in the Piyain River and gazing upward at the verdant hills cloaked in clouds is a truly unparalleled experience. The suspension bridge is a relic from the British colonial era. Additionally, the winding course of Dawki River, a Piyain River tributary, beckons tourists with its majestic allure.  Read more: 8 Best Winter Travel destinations in Bangladesh The Khasia village, located just beyond the Piyain River, features unique hillside dwellings that pique the interest of thousands of tourists.  Jaflong hosts a Baishakhi fair on the first day of the Bangla New Year. Even if the occasion is the same, the banks of the river with rapid currents, surrounded by mountains, look very different compared to the crowded atmosphere of Dhaka.

Gowainghat upazila administration of Sylhet has earned Tk 40 lakh in seven months just from the entry fee at the popular and natural beautiful tourist spot of Jaflong.  There was no entry fee at Jaflong before September 2021. District administration then fixed it at Tk 10 for each tourist to enter the popular hangout.   However, people of various sections had been criticizing the ticketing system at the tourist spot. This issue came into discussion on Thursday after an attack on some tourists by the volunteers who worked for the authority.  The local administration recruited some workers on temporary basis to collect entry fees from the tourists.  Also Read: Volunteers assault tourists in Sylhet, 5 held While commenting on the entry fee at Jaflong, Gowainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Tahmilur Rahman said, “The decision of entry fee has been made by the district administration at a meeting of district tourism committee last year. Upazila administration is only implementing the decision. We don’t lease it to anyone. Upazila administration collects entry fees from tourists through some contracted workers.”   Around 15 workers work here on average daily for Tk 50 per hour as remuneration, he added.  About the ones who attacked the tourists, Tahmilur Rahman said they are not volunteers. They are workers. Upazila administration has provided aprons to identify them from others.  He also claimed that the district administration has imposed the entry fee to increase tourists at Jaflong and Tk 40 lakh has been deposited so far in the administration’s bank account.    On Thursday, volunteers appointed by the Gowainghat administration allegedly assaulted a group of tourists, including women and children, at the Jaflong tourist spot.   The volunteers attacked tourists with sticks following an altercation over buying tickets from the toll counter at Jaflong around 2pm.  The video of the incident has gone viral on social media. It shows some men wearing blue volunteer uniforms assaulting a group of tourists with sticks. Some women, from the same group of tourists, also came under attack as they tried to stop the violence. Five people, including two volunteers, have been detained in this regard.  The detainees are Laxman Chandra Das, Selim Ahmed, Sohel Rana, Nazim Uddin, and Joynal Abedin. They have been sent to the court on Friday.   Meanwhile, Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Mozibor Rahman, said tourists will not have to pay any fee for the next seven days to visit Jaflong.    

Tourists will not have to pay any fee for the next seven days to visit Sylhet's popular hangout Jaflong. Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Mozibor Rahman said this Thursday evening after some volunteers working for the administration assaulted tourists who visited the spot in Gowainghat at 2pm. The incident occurred in front of the ticket counter at the tourist spot. "As the group of tourists wanted to enter Jaflong without tickets, they got into an argument with the volunteers at the counter. At one point, some volunteers attacked the tourists with sticks," said Gowainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Tahlimur Rahman. "This incident will hurt our tourism and as the assaulters were employed by us, I take responsibility for this. Three of them have already been sacked and I asked the police to take legal action against them." The video of the incident has gone viral on social media. It shows some men wearing blue volunteer uniforms assaulting a group of tourists with sticks. Some women, from the same group of tourists, also came under attack as they had tried to stop the violence. "We have detained five people, including two volunteers, who were involved in the incident. Legal action will be taken against them. Additional police forces have been deployed at the tourist spot," said Sylhet Superintendent of Police Mohammad Farid Uddin. Also read: Volunteers assault tourists in Sylhet, 5 held

Volunteers appointed by the Gowainghat administration allegedly assaulted a group of tourists, including women and children, at the Jaflong tourist spot in Sylhet on Thursday. The volunteers attacked tourists with sticks following an altercation over buying tickets from the toll counter at Jaflong at 2pm, said Gowainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Tahmilur Rahman. "We have already dismissed three volunteers," he said. Sylhet Superintendent of Police Mohammad Farid Uddin said, "We have detained five people, including two volunteers, in this regard. Legal actions will be taken against them." The detainees are Laxman Chandra Das, Selim Ahmed, Sohel Rana, Nazim Uddin, and Joynal Abedin. Also read: No fee required for next 7 days to enter Jaflong

Three minor boys, who went missing from Sylhet's Dakshin Surma two days ago, were rescued from the district's Gowainghat Saturday. Some locals handed them over to police after finding them at Jaflong Zero Point, said Dakshin Surma Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Monirul Islam. The children are 13-year-old twin brothers Hassan and Hossain, and Apu, 10, from Dakshin Surma's village Ahmedpur. Also read: Remains of missing boy found in Chattogram shrine pond All three are madrasa students. Hassan and Hossain's cousin Salah Uddin said the trio left the house around 6am Thursday and did not return. After failing to trace them, he filed a general diary with Dakshin Surma police station the same day. Also read: Missing man’s body fished out of Meghna

The Bangladesh Bureau Of Mineral Development (BMD) plans to set up the country's first 'geological museum' at Jaflong in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet to stop stone extraction in the Ecologically Critical Area (ECA).

The indefinite strike enforced by the District Truck, Pick-up and Covered Van Workers union was called off on Tuesday.

The bumper production of winter vegetables brought back smiles on farmers’ faces in the bordering Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet.