Malnicherra Tea Estate
Founded in 1854 on the edge of Sylhet city, often called the oldest commercial tea garden in South Asia.
Malnicherra, laid out in 1854 by British planters on the northern edge of Sylhet city, is widely described as the first commercial tea garden in the subcontinent. Its rolling hillocks of clipped tea bushes, shaded by tall trees, begin just a few minutes from the city centre along the road to the airport.
Visitors walk the lanes between the bushes, watch pluckers at work in season and climb small hills for views over the estate. Neighbouring Lakkatura tea garden, home to the city's cricket stadium, offers a similar landscape. It is an ideal short outing for those without time to travel to Sreemangal, especially in the late afternoon when the light turns soft.
How to go
From Zindabazar or Ambarkhana take a CNG or rickshaw toward the airport (15-20 min, 100-200 BDT).
Where to stay
Hotels in the city centre (1,500-5,000 BDT) or resorts on the Airport Road and Khadimnagar side (6,000 BDT and up).
