Many of us can’t imagine the morning without a cup of smoking tea. If you want to enjoy the mind-blowing view of tea gardens across the horizon, visit the Sylhet division. Because, out of the total 167 tea gardens in Bangladesh, 135 are located in greater Sylhet. Besides Sylhet, there are tea gardens in some other districts like Panchuagar and Chittagong. The collection of the tea leaves starts in May and lasts till October. That’s why this is the best time to see a tea garden full of greenery. Let’s get to know about some of the most fascinating tea gardens in Bangladesh.
Top 5 most breathtaking tea gardens in Bangladesh
Srimangal tea gardens
Srimangal in the Moulvibazar district can be called the tea capital of Bangladesh. The tea gardens of Srimangal cover about 450 sq-km area. It looks like a green carpet on the slope of the hill. Shatgaon tea garden has started in front of the ‘Cha Konya (Tea Daughter)’ sculpture at the entrance of Srimangal tea garden.
The intercity train Parabat Express leaves Dhaka’s Kamalapur at 6:40 am six days a week except for Tuesday. The Jayantika Express leaves at 12 pm every day, the Kalni Express leaves at 3 pm, the Upobon Express leaves for Sylhet at 10 pm six days a week except Wednesdays. Train ticket fares range from 340-1,200 Tk depending on the category.
Non-AC and AC buses of Hanif, Shyamoli, ENA, etc. from Fakirapul, Saidabad, and Mohakhali in Dhaka leave for Srimangal every day. Non-AC and AC coaches will cost 470 and 1200 Tk respectively.
Several resorts including, Grand Sultan Golf Resort, Novem Eco Resort, Nisarg Eco Cottage, Nisarg Lichibari Cottage, Lemon Garden Resort, and Shanti Bari Resort are located near the tea gardens.
Malnichhora tea gardens
This tea garden stands near the International Airport of Sylhet. It is the first and largest tea garden in the subcontinent. Lord Hudson founded it on 1500 acres in 1849. Although the tea garden is currently under private supervision, you can enter this tea garden with the permission of the authority.
Apart from any bus or train going from Dhaka to Sylhet, you can reach Sylhet by air. Air flights like Biman Bangladesh, NovoAir, and US Bengal will take you Sylhet within less than an hour if you spend 2,700-7,000 Tk for plane fare.
After reaching Sylhet city, you can go to Malnichhara tea garden by renting a rickshaw, or CNG. It takes about 10 minutes by CNG and 25 minutes by rickshaw from Amberkhana Point to reach Malnichhra.
For the overnight stay, you can stay in the shrine area of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA), where you will get rooms of different categories for 500 to 3,000 Tk. Other notable residential hotels in Sylhet include Hotel Roseview International, Hotel Fortune Garden, Hotel Dallas, Hotel Supreme, Hotel Hilltown.
Tetulia tea gardens
If you don’t visit Tetulia, you may not believe that there can be tea gardens even on the plane lands. At present Panchagarh has more than two hundred vibrant tea gardens.
If you want to reach directly to Tetulia, you have to take a non-AC coach of Hanif Paribahan from Dhaka’s Shyamoli, College-gate, or Gabtali with a fare of 750 to 800 Tk. Besides, you can come to Panchagarh and from there you can reach Tetulia by taking a local bus bound for Banglabandha for 45 Tk.
There is a post bungalow under the supervision of the district council or Tentulia picnic corner for tourists to stay. If you want to spend the night in the bungalow, you have to make a booking by applying to the secretary of Panchagarh district council or the Tetulia Upazila executive officer during office hours. Besides, you can stay in a residential hotel in Panchagarh ranging from 200 to 1,000 Tk.
Lovachhora tea gardens
Lovachhara is a river of clear water at the foot of Khasia-Jainta hills bordering the north-eastern border of Kanaighat Upazila of Sylhet. Along with fascinating tea gardens, this place is blessed with a hanging bridge, a natural lake, and fountains. You can also watch the colorful houses of Khasias on the slopes of the hills. In Lovachhora, a heavenly ambiance has been created by the glamour of mountains, rivers, and blue sky. In the morning, rabbits, deer, and forest roosters are seen in the Lovachhara tea garden.
Kanaighat can only be reached by road. You can commute here by transports like bus or CNG. The maximum bus fare is around Tk 80 and the CNG fare is around 100 Tk. Reserve CNG will be 500 to 600 Tk. More than half of the road from Kanaighat Upazila Sadar to Lobachhara is unpaved and it is very difficult to reach there. So it will be better if you go there by the river.
Since it is possible to visit Lovachhora on one day trip, you can stay in the hotels of Sylhet.
Rangunia Kodala tea garden
Kodala Tea Garden is located in Kodala Union in the southern part of Rangunia Upazila. The Karnafuli river flows along the side of the tea garden.
From Dhaka’s Kolabagan or Fokirapul or Saidabad bus terminal, AC, non-AC buses of various transports like Saudia, Green Line, Hanif, Shyamoli, etc are available to reach Chittagong. Depending on the class, the fare for each seat on the bus is from 500 to 1,200 Tk.
If you want to choose the train route, you can get on Mahanagar Prabhati/Godhuli, Sonar Bangla, Turna-Nishitha, Subarna Express, from Airport or Kamalapur Railway Station. Depending on the class, the rent is up to 285 to 1,179 Tk.
Besides, if you want to reach Chittagong in less time, you can travel by plane. In this case, the fair will be 2,500 to 9,200 Tk depending on the time and category.
You can get a few residential hotels in the Chandraghona Lichubagan area of Rangunia Upazila. Apart from this, you can stay at Hotel Vacation, Paramount, Hotel Lord’s Inn, Hotel Hotel Landmark, and Asian SR in Chittagong city for 800 to 2,000 Tk.
Over to you
In Bangladesh, tea gardens are spread across hilly areas and beyond. The cherubic green pasture of tea gardens can temporarily disconnect you from the humdrum of the hectic urban life. These captivating tea gardens contribute to the national economy of Bangladesh. It is recommended to take necessary permissions to enter a tea garden. While visiting a tea garden, avoid doing anything that pollutes the environment, harms the tea plantations, or annoys the tea workers. All in all, remember, it is our responsibility to preserve the beauty of nature.
Source: United News of Bangladesh