Chapainawabganj sits on the western border of Bangladesh where the Mahananda river flows toward the Padma. The district holds the eastern edge of medieval Gaur, the former capital of the Bengal Sultanate, with stone-and-brick mosques from the 15th and 16th centuries scattered through rural orchards. In summer, the area around Shibganj and Kansat turns into the country's busiest wholesale market for Fazli, Langra and Khirsapat mangoes.
- From Dhaka
- About 310 km, 7.5 hours by road
- Best time
- November to February
- A day costs
- About ৳1,300 to ৳5,300 per person
- Nearest airport
- Shah Makhdum Airport (RJH)
What Chapainawabganj is famous for
- Khirsapat and Fazli mangoes খিরসাপাত ও ফজলি আম
- Shibganj chomchom শিবগঞ্জের চমচম
- Kalai ruti কালাই রুটি
- Nakshi kantha নকশি কাঁথা
How Chapainawabganj got its name
The name Nawabganj comes from its past as a hunting and retreat ground for the Nawabs of Bengal along the Mahananda. The prefix Chapai is said to come from a dancer named Champarani, added during British rule to separate the town from Nawabganj near Dhaka.
Places to visit in Chapainawabganj
Photo: This work was made by Nahid Hossain and released under the license(s) stated, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Chhoto Sona Mosque ছোট সোনা মসজিদ
A 15-domed Sultanate mosque of brick and carved black stone, built under Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah between 1493 and 1519.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Entry free; CNG auto-rickshaw from Chapainawabganj town roughly ৳500–700 return
Photo: Sumon Reja, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Darasbari Mosque and Madrasa দারসবাড়ি মসজিদ
Roofless brick ruins of a 1479 Sultanate mosque with terracotta panels, sitting beside the excavated foundations of a large madrasa.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free; battery van from Chhoto Sona Mosque about ৳30–50
Photo: Kazi Rashed Abdallah, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Tahakhana Complex তাহাখানা কমপ্লেক্স
A two-storey Mughal brick palace built by Prince Shah Shuja around 1655, with a three-domed mosque and the tomb of saint Shah Niamatullah.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free entry; local battery van about ৳20–30
Kansat Mango Market কানসাট আমের বাজার
One of the country's largest mango wholesale markets, packed with crates of Fazli, Langra and Khirsapat every morning from May to July.
- Best time
- May to July for the peak mango harvest
- Give it
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free to wander; bus from Chapainawabganj town about ৳50 each way
Unseen Chapainawabganj: the lesser-known places
Quieter spots most visitors miss. Go with a local driver or ask us to arrange one.
Photo: Rangan Datta Wiki, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Khania Dighi Mosque (Rajbibi Mosque) খনিয়াদিঘি মসজিদ
A 15th-century single-domed brick mosque tucked among quiet mango orchards on the bank of a dried lake.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free entry; battery van from Chhoto Sona Mosque about ৳40–60 return
How to get to Chapainawabganj
- Coaches leave Kalyanpur and Gabtoli in Dhaka, including Hanif, Shyamoli, Grameen Travels and National Travels, running via the Jamuna Bridge and Rajshahi to Chapainawabganj town in 7 to 8 hours.
- The non-stop Banalata Express runs daily except Friday from Kamalapur and Airport stations to Chapainawabganj via Rajshahi, taking under 6 hours.
Where to stay in Chapainawabganj
Rooms run from about ৳800 a night for a simple hotel, around ৳2,000 mid-range and ৳4,500 or more for the most comfortable. Prices are approximate.
- Hotel Sky View Inn, Boro Indara More
- Hotel Jomjom Residential, Boro Indara Road
- Hotels around Shantir More and the old bus stand in the district town
What to eat in Chapainawabganj
Order kalai ruti with roasted duck bhuna, eggplant bhorta and green chilli paste at evening roadside stalls. In summer, buy fresh Khirsapat, Langra and Fazli mangoes, and taste soft chomchom from Shibganj town.