Birishiri (বিরিশিরি): travel guide

Turquoise Someshwari River flowing over white clay and blue clay hills — a photographer's paradise near the Meghalaya border with Garo heritage villages.

Birishiri is in Netrokona district, Mymensingh division, Bangladesh. Compare bus, train and air fares to Birishiri and see the route on a map.

Things to do in Birishiri

  • Birishiri Tribal Cultural Academy: Government academy showing the arts, crafts, music and dance of the Hajong, Koch, Dalu, Mandai and Banai communities; the building was once the palace of the Maharaja of Susang Durgapur, and a rest house is attached. Museum, free entry
  • Someshwari River: Hill river flowing from the Garo hills of Meghalaya, with clear water and white sandy banks in winter and a fuller flow in monsoon. It is crossed by dinghy or engine-powered boat; heavy sand and stone extraction is degrading it. Nature, free entry, best time: Winter for walks; monsoon for strong flow
  • China Clay Hills (Bijoypur): White kaolin hills with blue lakes in former clay pits at Bijoypur (Birishiri), Durgapur; the BGB camp gives views of the green Meghalaya hills. Swimming in the pits is risky because of deep holes. Nature, free entry, best time: Winter for dry walking; monsoon for full lakes
  • Ranikhong Mission: Church built between 1910 and 1915 on a small hill in Durgapur, with a school and dormitory beside it and views of the Meghalaya hills across the border. Religious, free entry
  • Susang Durgapur Zamindar Bari (সুসঙ্গ দুর্গাপুর জমিদার বাড়ি): Remains of the palace of the Susang kings (Maharajas of Susang Durgapur) in Durgapur town; the old palace building now houses the Tribal Cultural Academy, with a pond and temple nearby. Historical, free entry

Where to stay in Birishiri

  • YMCA Guest House, Durgapur (Budget), about Check with hotel for current rates. Rest house in Durgapur town run by the YMCA; The Daily Star lists it among decent lodgings and quotes Tk 1,000-2,500 a night for Netrokona options generally
  • Tribal Cultural Academy Rest House (Budget). Government rest house attached to the Tribal Cultural Academy in Birishiri
  • Hotel Madina (Durgapur) (Budget). Private hotel in Durgapur town

Travel advice for Birishiri

  • Best season for Someshwari and the clay hills: Winter offers dry weather and walkable sandy banks; monsoon shows the river at its fullest.
  • Local boats and electric rickshaws: The Someshwari is crossed by dinghy or engine-powered boat; on the far side a reserved CNG auto-rickshaw for the nearby sights cost Tk600 in the Business Standard writer's trip. Heavy sand dredging and stone extraction are degrading the river, so choose boat operators with care.
  • Getting to Birishiri: A direct bus from Mohakhali, Dhaka takes about 5 hours to Durgapur (about 190 km); trucks hauling sand have damaged local roads. Via Mymensingh, a Dhaka-Mymensingh bus cost Tk220 and took about 3 hours, then a reserved CNG to Durgapur cost Tk800 and took about 2 hours (Business Standard).
  • Swimming in the clay pits is risky: The clay-hill lakes are former mining pits with deep holes in many places, so swimming there is risky. Stay on the banks.

More places to explore in Bangladesh

JatraSathi is a free Bangladesh trip planner in English and Bangla. Prices are estimates; check before you travel.