Top Places to Visit in Northern Bangladesh

Where Rivers, History, and Rural Life Come Alive

When people think of travel in Bangladesh, they often imagine beaches, tea gardens, or hill tracts. But the north — often overlooked — is where Bangladesh quietly tells its deepest stories.

From thousand-year-old archaeological sites to quiet riverside towns, mango orchards to foggy mornings in rural fields, the northern districts offer a different kind of beauty — one that’s subtle, grounded, and endlessly soulful.

Here’s a traveler’s guide to exploring the underrated charm of North Bengal — a region that’s more than worth your time.

🧱 1. Paharpur – Home of the Ancient Monastery

Let’s start with something monumental — literally.

Paharpur, or Somapura Mahavihara, is one of the largest and oldest Buddhist monasteries south of the Himalayas. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this place used to be a spiritual and educational center in the 8th century.

• 🚶 Walk through its vast, brick-walled foundation

• 🧘 Imagine monks studying under the open sky

• 📷 Best viewed at sunrise or sunset for long shadows and peace

There’s a small museum beside it — modest, but informative. Local kids may walk up and ask questions or just want to take photos. Be kind.

🏛 2. Mahasthangarh – Echoes from the Maurya Empire

Just an hour or two from Paharpur, in Bogura district, is Mahasthangarh — one of the oldest archaeological sites in the entire country.

• 🗿 These ruins date back to the 3rd century BCE

• ⛩️ Once part of an ancient fortified city on the banks of the Karatoya River

• 🗺️ The site includes ancient walls, a citadel, and temples in ruins

It feels very “Indiana Jones,” minus the tourists. Don’t be surprised if you’re the only foreigner there.

🌳 3. Rajshahi – The City of Mangoes and Silk

Rajshahi is clean, charming, and full of riverside beauty. It’s known for mangoes, silk weaving, and a laid-back, student-friendly culture.

• 🥭 Come during mango season (May–July) — the streets smell sweet

• 🧵 Visit a local silk factory and buy real Rajshahi silk scarves or sarees

• 🌅 Walk along the Padma River in the evening — the golden hour is magical

Food here is milder than in Dhaka or Chattogram. Try local sweets, especially rasogolla from traditional sweet shops.

🕌 4. Kantajew Temple, Dinajpur – A Carved Masterpiece

Kantajew Temple is a rare Hindu terracotta temple built in the 18th century. It’s one of the finest examples of architecture in Bangladesh, but almost no one outside the country knows about it.

• 🧱 Covered in thousands of hand-carved terracotta panels

• 🪔 Depicts scenes from Hindu epics, folklore, and daily life

• 🏛️ Peaceful, with very few tourists — you’ll hear birds, not buses

There’s also a small rural market nearby where you can grab tea, buy handicrafts, or chat with curious locals.

🌿 5. Tetulia – Where Bangladesh Touches the Himalayas

This is about as far north as you can go in Bangladesh, and it’s completely off the radar for most travelers.

Tetulia, located in Panchagarh district, offers:

• 🏞️ Clear views of the Himalayas in winter (yes, seriously!)

• 🍃 Tea estates that stretch toward India’s border

• 🌁 Misty mornings and river-side serenity

It’s remote, cold in winter, and incredibly quiet. If you like long walks, road trips, and clean air, this might become your favorite spot in the country.

🚣 6. The Jamuna River & Hard Point, Sirajganj

This one’s more about moments than monuments.

Sirajganj is a riverside town famous for ferry culture, fishing, and the ever-shifting sands of the Jamuna River. People come here to sit by the water, eat spicy river fish, or watch life unfold slowly.

• 🛶 Local boat rides available (try to catch one at sunset)

• 🐟 Eat “ilish” (hilsa fish) fresh from the river

• 🌫️ Mornings are wrapped in fog during winter — photographers will love it

Hard Point is where locals gather in the evening. Go there for a cup of tea, good conversations, and maybe a few curious questions about where you’re from.

🛏 Where to Stay in North Bengal

🍲 What to Eat

• Panta Ilish – Fermented rice with fried hilsa

• Kalai Ruti – Local bread made from black lentils, found in Rajshahi & Dinajpur

• Mango Juice & Pickles – From roadside sellers during mango season

• Hand-pressed sugarcane juice – Found almost everywhere in rural markets

The food in the north is hearty, local, and often farm-to-table without anyone trying to make it sound fancy.

🚐 How to Travel

• 🚍 Buses from Dhaka to all major towns (Greenline, Hanif, SR Travels)

• 🚕 Local transport: CNG, auto-rickshaws, and vans

• 🚗 Private cars can be rented for region-wide travel

• 🚂 Train rides are scenic but slower — use for leisure, not speed

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

✨ Final Thoughts

Northern Bangladesh isn’t polished, and it won’t chase you with flashy resorts or neon signs. But if you want to walk through 2,000-year-old ruins, eat mangoes from orchard trees, and sit by a river with nothing but wind and birds, this is the region for you.

It’s not just a destination — it’s a mood. One that speaks softly but stays with you.