Kurigram lies where the Brahmaputra sweeps into Bangladesh from Assam, cutting the district into mainland farming country and isolated river chars. Beyond the wide riverfront at Chilmari, rural roads run north toward old British railway bridges near the Indian border and quiet Mughal-era mosques in Rajarhat. Life here is shaped by water, seasonal ferry crossings and long views across the braided sands.
- From Dhaka
- About 348 km, 9 hours by road
- Best time
- November to February
- A day costs
- About ৳1,300 to ৳5,300 per person
What Kurigram is famous for
- Brahmaputra river fish ব্রহ্মপুত্রের মাছ
- Chilmari beaten rice and curd চিলমারীর চিঁড়া ও দই
How Kurigram got its name
The name is said to come from the word kuri, meaning twenty: local tradition holds that twenty farming families originally settled here, or that the area was formed from an estate of twenty villages. Another account connects it to the historical presence of the Kuri people of north Bengal.
Places to visit in Kurigram
Photo: Tanvir Rahat, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Chilmari Port and Chars চিলমারী বন্দর ও চর
A historic river port on the wide Brahmaputra, where ferries and wooden country boats head out to shifting sandbar islands.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Bus from Kurigram town about ৳60–80; private boat hire for a char trip roughly ৳800–1,500 depending on duration
Chandamari Mosque চান্দামারী মসজিদ
A three-domed brick mosque in Rajarhat, blending late Sultanate and Mughal styles with corner towers and carved mihrabs.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free; auto-rickshaw from Kurigram town roughly ৳150–250 each way
Sonahat Bridge সোনাহাট ব্রিজ
A 19th-century British steel-truss railway bridge over the Dudhkumar river, built for military routes to Assam and still carrying road traffic.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free; bus from Kurigram to Bhurungamari about ৳100, then local easy-bike ৳40–60
Unseen Kurigram: the lesser-known places
Quieter spots most visitors miss. Go with a local driver or ask us to arrange one.
Photo: Salmaan.ulipur, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Ulipur Munshibari উলিপুর মুন্সীবাড়ি
An 18th-century zamindar residence in Ulipur with old temple pavilions, brick gateways and a bathing ghat on its historic pond.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free; bus from Kurigram to Ulipur about ৳40–50; rickshaw to the site ৳20–30
How to get to Kurigram
- Coaches leave Gabtoli, Kalyanpur and Abdullahpur counters through the day and overnight; Hanif, Nabil, Shyamoli and Haque Enterprise operate regular services via Bogura and Rangpur. Expect 8–10 hours by road. Fares run roughly ৳700–1,400.
- The daily intercity Kurigram Express leaves Kamalapur and Airport station directly for Kurigram railway station, taking about 9 hours. Rangpur Express also runs connecting commuter links via Kaunia.
Where to stay in Kurigram
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.
- Hotels around Ghoshpara in the district town
- Hotel Mehedi, on Central Bus Terminal road
- Hotels and guesthouses around the railway station and College Mor
What to eat in Kurigram
Fresh river catches from the Brahmaputra including boal, rita, air and seasonal hilsa, served in small rice hotels by the river. Try Chilmari's thick local curd with beaten rice, and winter date-palm juice pitha.