Srimangal in Moulvibazar district is famous for its tea gardens and can be called the tea capital of Bangladesh. There are about 92 tea gardens in Moulvibazar district. Tons of tourists come every day to see the eye-catching beauty of Srimangal’s tea plantations with an area of 450 square kilometers. Tea gardens for miles seem like a green carpet on the hill slopes. The best quality tea in Bangladesh is produced in Srimangal. The tea maiden sculpture at the entrance to Srimangal will catch the eye. This sculpture made by Moulvibazar district administration was built with the help of Satgaon tea garden. Satgaon tea garden has started in a wide area right in front of the tea maiden sculpture. The tea estates of Sylhet, which bear the memory of the British rule, live in white wooden buildings similar to those times. And so many impressions of the English period can be seen in the life journey of the tea garden.
When will you go
Tea leaf collection usually starts in May and continues till October. During this time, the tea gardens are full of greenery. If you want to see the work of tea workers, you can visit from May to October from different tea gardens of Srimangal. You can visit the tea gardens at any time of the year.
What will you see?
You can visit any place of Kholvibazar district to visit the tea garden. But the beauty of tea gardens in the high and low hills of Srimangal Upazila will refresh your mind as much as drinking tea. Heading south through the Tea Research Institute (BTRI) near Srimangal, you’ll find Finall’s Tea Gardens, BTRI’s own garden. If you go a few kilometers along the Bhanugach road, you will see Jerin T-Estate. Besides, a little before Laughahura, the jungle path on the right side will lead to Noorjahan T-Estate. On this way, you will see some more beautiful tea gardens. On the way to Kamalganj, which is about 12 km from Srimangal, you can visit Lauachhara National Park. Just 5 km from Kamalganj is the vast Madhavpur Lake surrounded by tea plantations. Dhalai border can be reached by taking the road on the right side of the main road from Madhavpur Lake. There are only tea gardens on both sides of this road up to the border. Birshrestha Hamidur Rahman memorial near the Border Guard Bangladesh outpost on the border. On the way back to Srimangal after completing the journey, you can drink satranga tea at Nilakantha cabin. Neelkantha has a branch next to the BGB headquarters in the city. So it is best not only to visit the tea gardens but also to visit the surrounding attractions. Only then will your tea garden be seen. Jeep is the best vehicle for visiting gardens. Renting a jeep for a day trip from Srimangal town to Tea Gardens will cost between Tk 3000 to Tk 4500. Besides, 3-5 people can explore everything comfortably with a CNG autorickshaw. Talk about what you want to see in advance. CNG rent for the whole day will be Tk 1200-1800.
How to go
Srimangal can be easily reached by train or bus from Dhaka. Inter-city train Parabat Express departs from Kamalapur, Dhaka at 6:30 a.m. six days a week except Tuesday. Jayantika Express departs at 11:15 am except Tuesday, Kalni Express train departs at 2:55 pm except Friday, Upaban Express departs for Sylhet at 10 pm six days of the week except Wednesday. You can easily come to Srimangal by any train at any time of your choice. The train ticket fare ranges from Tk 240 to Tk 828 depending on the class.
Non-AC and AC buses from Fakirapool, Syedabad and Mohakhali of Dhaka to Hanif, Shyamoli, BRTC, Ena etc. leave for Srimangal daily. These buses cost 570 to 800 taka per seat. Srimangal can also be visited from Dhaka with your own private car.
Besides, Paharika Express departs from Chittagong to Sylhet at 7:50 am six days a week except Monday. And Udayan Express leaves for Sylhet at 9:45 PM except Wednesday. Depending on the category, the fare per person ranges from Tk 375 to Tk 1288.