Jaflong is a popular destination in Bangladesh among the local tourists. It is located in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh on the India-Bangladesh border. People come here mainly on a day tour from Sylhet, which is the nearest big city.
The main attractions to the local tourists are the beautiful hills of the Meghalaya state of India. People look toward the stunning view of the hills of Meghalaya while standing on the land of Bangladesh. But for the foreign tourists, the attraction of Jaflong is somewhere else.
Dozens of waterfalls on the hills of Meghalaya create a beautiful river called Piain, which flows directly to Bangladesh. This river brings lots of stones from the hills to Bangladesh. Hundreds of people in Bangladesh collect these stones from the river Piain every day and make it full of activities, which is highly photogenic. The scale of the activities is mind-blowing, which brings all the foreign tourists here.
These stones are taken to the crushers and later supplied all over Bangladesh as construction materials.
India-Bangladesh border in Jaflong, a popular tourist place for both countries.
Popular tourist attractions of Jaflong
Zero Point
This place is the no-mans-land in the India-Bangladesh border from where you can have the best view of the Meghalaya hills standing on the land of Bangladesh. The direction from where the river Piain arrives in Bangladesh is the most stunning. Few yards ahead in the Indian side is a bridge between two hills, which is the most iconic photo of Jaflong which is seen everywhere.
When water is low, you can access this place on foot. But during monsoon when the water level is high, you need to take a boat from Bolla Ghat to access this place. Dozens of tourist boats will be there during the monsoon at your service.
Jaflong Zero Point. The bridge between two hills on far is located in India
River Piain in Jaflong
Piain River
This river is created in the hills of Meghalaya from its numerous waterfalls, and flows straight to Bangladesh, bringing lots of stones along with the flows. You can have an amazing view of the hills of Meghalaya from this river.
Sengram Punji Waterfalls. There will be more water on the falls during monsoon.
Sengram Punji Waterfalls
This is a waterfall on the hills of Meghalaya, about 700 meters west of Zero Point. During the dry season, you can cross the river on a boat and walk to the waterfall. When the water is high, you need to take a boat to reach this place. Although this place is located in India, Bangladeshi tourists can climb this waterfall. This fall will be full of water and very beautiful only during the monsoon.
Sengram Punji Khasia village.
Sengram Punji Khasia Village
This is a beautiful village home of only the Khasia tribal people. Their main profession is growing betel leaves and betel nuts. The houses they live in are also of a unique design. It is located on the opposite side of the waterfall, accessible on foot during the dry season and by boat during the monsoon.
Jaflong Bridge
Jaflong Bridge
The newly constructed bridge on river Piain is the most solid infrastructure in Jaflong. From this bridge, you can get a stunning view of the river Piain and the hills of Meghalaya surrounding the whole Jaflong. A good place to spend the evening in Jaflong.
Stone collection activities in Piain river
Stone collection activities
Stone collection is a massive business in Jaflong. The majority of the people in Jaflong are somehow related to the stone collection activities.
Some people collect stones from the river, some people buy from them and sell to the crushing companies, and these crushing companies crush these stones on small pieces suitable for use for construction works. They send these stones all over Bangladesh by trucks. Lots of trucks are involved in carrying these stones. All these stages create lots of jobs and employ many people.
Stone crushing yards
While entering Jaflong, you’ll see these stone-crushing yards spread through several miles. People carrying stones on their heads and taking them into the crushing machines. Piles of stones are stocked outside every yard. Crushing machines are continuously making these stones into pieces. Trucks loading and unloading. All the yards are full of activities.
Go further toward the river. You’ll find the stone collecting activities.
Man collecting stone from river and storing on boat
Collecting stone from the shallow river
People collecting sand from the riverbed in Jaflong. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.
Hotels & Resorts in Jaflong
Most of the people normally visit Jaflong as a day tour from Sylhet. But if you want to stay overnight, you can choose from one of these hotels and resorts:
- Parjatan Motel
Located outside the town, has only 7 rooms priced 1,800 BDT & 2,000 BDT.
Contact no: +880-2-9893710 - Jainta Hill Resort
Located 5km away from town. Room price starts from 2,300 BDT.
Contact no: +88-01755-045051 - Hotel Jaflong Inn
Located on Mamar Bazar (town center). Room price starts from 1,200 BDT.
Contact no: +88-01765-686363 - Shah Amin Hotel
The closest location from the river. Room price starts from 1,000 BDT.
Contact no: +88-01795-935679 - Other Hotels
Other than these, there are some cheap hotels in Mamar Bazar (town center), the price of which should start from 300 BDT.
Where to eat in Jaflong
The best restaurant in Jaflong is “Sengram Punji Cafe” run by Nazimgarh Resorts, located on Sengram Punji (Khasia village). Also, you can find many restaurants on Ballaghat, which serves OK quality food on a local standard. Be prepared to pay tourist prices on all of them.
How to go Jaflong
To reach Jaflong, first, you need to come to Sylhet from anywhere in the country. You’ll get a direct bus to Jaflong from Sobhani Ghat bus station leaving every hour. Be prepared to meet one of the worst roads of the country on the last leg of the journey, which will be similar to a roller-coaster ride!
Best time to visit Jaflong
If you are interested in the natural beauty of Jaflong, the best time to visit will be during the monsoon (July-September). If you are interested in photographing the stone collecting activities, you need to visit during winter (October to May). There will be no stone collecting activities here during the monsoon.
Have you ever visited Jaflong? How photogenic have you found it? Have I missed something here? Share your thoughts and experience with us in the comments.
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