Sunamganj, a district rich in natural splendor, transforms its landscape uniquely across seasons.
During the monsoon, vast expanses of water in the haors merge seamlessly with the blue canopy of the sky, creating a view where the edges seem to dissolve into infinity.
In late autumn and winter (Poush and Magh months), the haors become a canvas where green and blue intertwine, as the lush fields embrace the azure sky.
During spring (Falgun, Chaitra, and Baishakh months), the haors are cloaked in golden fields of ripened paddy, a sight reminiscent of a painter’s masterpiece.
The sweet aroma of ripe paddy fills the air, making the experience all the more delightful. Such breathtaking views make life feel profoundly enriched, as if inviting one to lose themselves in the golden embrace of the haors.
Among the district's tourism highlights are the Shimul Garden, Asia's largest silk cotton garden, the Niladri Lake (Shaheed Siraji Lake), the Tekergat Limestone Quarry, Barek Tila, Tanguar Haor, and the Biki Beel adorned with vibrant red water lilies, all located in Tahirpur Upazila.
Additionally, the Dolura area of Jahangirnagar Union, near the Bangladesh-India border in the Sadar Upazila, houses the graves of 48 heroic freedom fighters, accompanied by a memorial.
In Dowarabazar Upazila’s Banglabazar Union, the Bashtala Memorial stands near the Bangladesh-India border, adjacent to the serene and tribal-inhabited village of Jhumgaon.
Sunamganj also features three border markets: the Dolura-Balat Border Haat in Jahangirnagar Union, the Ringku-Bagabari Border Haat in Dowarabazar’s Bhogla Union, and the Shahidabad Border Haat in Tahirpur’s Lairergarh area. Unfortunately, all three markets are currently non-operational.
However, the district faces challenges in accommodating visitors. To enjoy the tourist spots with decent lodging and dining facilities, visitors must return to Sunamganj town after their explorations.
How to reach each spot
By road, Ena, Mamun, Shyamoli, Hanif, and various other buses operate from Sayedabad, Mohakhali, and Fakirapool to Sunamganj. After reaching Sunamganj, you can use your preferred transport to visit different spots.
By rail, you can travel from Dhaka to Sylhet and then take a bus from Sylhet to Sunamganj. Alternatively, you can travel from Dhaka to Mohanganj and then use an auto-rickshaw, bike, or minibus to reach Dharampasha or Midnagar. From Dharampasha or Midnagar, you can visit notable tourist spots like Tahirpur in Sunamganj by motorcycle during the dry season.
During the monsoon, you can travel by waterways. The number of tourists visiting Sunamganj increases significantly during the monsoon, as they are drawn by the unparalleled beauty of Tanguar Haor.
Many also visit during the blooming season of Shimul trees. Moreover, throughout the year, travel enthusiasts frequently visit the area. Apart from Tanguar Haor and Shimul Bagan, there are many other attractions worth exploring.
Tourist spots by Upazila
Sunamganj Sadar Upazila
Gaurarong Jomidar Bari, Dolura Memorial Cemetry & Narayantala, Sunamganj City’s Old Collectorate (Sunamganj Heritage Museum), Hasn Rajar Bari, in the suburbs of Dharargaon (near Haluarghat Ferry Ghat) there is Surma Valley DC Park and Dolura Border Haat (currently closed) are located in this upazila.
To enter Sunamganj Heritage Museum and Surma Valley DC Park, you need to buy a ticket for Tk20 each. The Heritage Museum is located in the heart of the city, and Surma Valley DC Park is in the outskirts.
Tahirpur Upazila
Tanguar Haor, Barek Tila, Jadukata River, Niladri or Shahid Siraj Lake, Shimul Garden, Laurer Garh, Lalghat Waterfall, Lakma Chhara, Rajai Waterfall, Howli Jomidar Bari and Shree Prabhu Adwait Ashram are located in this area.
The best time to enjoy these scenic spots is during the monsoon. During this season, you can stay overnight on houseboats, which can be taken from Sunamganj and Tahirpur and travel through the Haor.
There is no need for a resort or hotel in this case, as houseboats are equipped with cabin systems. However, if you want to enjoy the fragrance of Shimul flowers in Shimul Garden, you need to visit around mid-February.
Where to stay
After visiting Shimul Garden, Berek Tila, Tekergat, and Tanguar Haor, you can stay at Hijol Resort and Restaurant in Tekergat. The resort provides overnight stays and meals. You can order and dine at Hijol Resort as per your requirements.
The price for a VIP room is Tk2,500 (AC), which can accommodate four people with two double beds. The rent for a double room is Tk2,000, and a couple's bed costs Tk1,500 per day.
Jagannathpur Upazila
Pailgao Jomidar Bari, Noluar Haor and Radharaman Dutta's house are located here.
You can reach Jagannathpur directly by bus from Dhaka. Once you reach the Jagannathpur bus stand, ask the locals for directions to Radharaman Dutta's house and Pilegaon.
Dharai Upazila
Bhatipara Jomidar Bari, 300-year-old mosque of the Jomidar Bari, the house of Baul Emperor Shah Abdul Karim (winner of Ekushay Padak), Chaptir Haor, Baram Haor, and Kalikota Haor are located here.
To enjoy the natural beauty of the Haors, the monsoon season is the best time. However, in the autumn, you can see two different views of the Haor: green and golden.
You can reach Dharai directly by bus from Sayedabad and Fakirapool in Dhaka. From Dharai, you can take a car, CNG, or motorcycle to Shah Abdul Karim's house. You can also take a CNG or motorcycle to Bhatipara from Dharai.
During the monsoon, you can travel by boat.
Dowarabazar Upazila
Bashatala Shaheed Minar (Memorial) and Jumgaon are located here.
You can take a bus from Dhaka to Sunamganj or Chatak and then travel by car.
Dharmapasha Upazila
Sukhair Zamindar Bari is a place that you can visit here,
You can travel to Dharmapasha via Netrokona from Dhaka. From Dharmapasha, you can visit during the autumn by motorcycle and during the monsoon by boat.
Tanguar Haor
Tanguar Haor, located at the foot of the Meghalaya Hills in the middle of the Sunamganj district's Madhyanagar and Tahirpur upazilas, came under the control of the district administration on November 9, 2003.
It is spread over an area of about 126 sq km and is the second largest freshwater wetland in Bangladesh. The local people refer to the haor as Noykuri Kandar Choykuri Beel. It is also the second Ramsar site of Bangladesh.
The natural beauty of Tanguar Haor becomes particularly remarkable during the rainy season.
During the monsoon, the combination of the sky, the Meghalaya hills, and the water creates a unique beauty for the haor. There is a full moon festival held during the full moon nights at this haor.
During the rainy season, over a hundred luxury houseboats operate from Sunamganj and Tahirpur to explore the haor. The houseboats charge Tk10,000 to Tk12,000 per room for a two-day, one-night stay.
Visitors can visit the Watch Tower, Tekergat, Niladri Lake, and Shimul Garden in the morning, then return to Sunamganj or Tahirpur the next day.
On December 28, when visiting Shimul Garden, Tekergat, and Niladri Lake, reporters met with Rakib Hossain from Kalmakanda upazila of Netrokona district.
Rakib said that he came to visit Shimul Garden after seeing Niladri Lake and the abandoned limestone mining project at Tekergat. The road conditions were in poor shape. There were no toilets for tourists at Bareker Tila and Niladri Lake.
The boatman of Niladri Lake, Nasir Uddin, said: “I have been operating boats on the lake for the past eight years. The boat rides are charged from Tk50 to Tk200 depending on the time tourists wish to spend.”
He advised tourists to negotiate prices for boat rides.
Anwar Hossain, the Executive Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) of Sunamganj, said: “Roadwork is underway for the roads to Shimul Garden, Baraket Tila, Niladri Lake, and Tekergat, which will be completed this season.”
Dr Mohammad Ilias Mia, the District Commissioner of Sunamganj, said: “The district administration has taken several initiatives for the development of tourism. Road improvement projects through LGED are ongoing in Tekergat to attract tourists.”
He added: “A project has been approved for road repairs from Binnakuli to Currenter Bazar, while another is awaiting approval. Furthermore, roads from Tahirpur to Tekergat will be implemented through five packages, with approvals pending.”
The District Commissioner also said: “Plans are underway for building modern washblocks for tourists in Tekergat and bringing all houseboats under registration which is supposed to be implemented soon.”
“The houseboats will also have trained guides, and a waste dumping station will be constructed in Tekergat for better waste management,” he added.
“There are plans to register motorcycle and speedboat drivers in the area and provide them with designated uniforms. A management office for Tanguar Haor and a Watch Tower are also planned to protect the environment and biodiversity of the haor,” he further said.
He also said that the administration is working on establishing a Moon View Point at Baraker Tila. A floating market will also be introduced to improve the livelihoods of the people living around the haor.
