Rajshahi is the division headquarters, spread along the wide north bank of the Padma river. Known as the Silk City for its sericulture factories and mulberry orchards, it is also a major educational and cultural center holding Bangladesh's oldest repository of ancient sculpture at the Varendra Research Museum. Outside the city lie the terracotta temple cluster of Puthia and the 16th-century Sultanate mosque at Bagha.
- From Dhaka
- About 250 km, 5.5 hours by road
- Best time
- October to March
- A day costs
- About ৳1,400 to ৳6,800 per person
- Nearest airport
- Shah Makhdum Airport (RJH)
What Rajshahi is famous for
- Rajshahi silk fabrics রেশম শাড়ি ও সিল্ক
- Gopalbhog and Fazli mangoes গোপালভোগ ও ফজলি আম
- Kalai ruti কালাই রুটি
- Sopura silk সোপুরা সিল্ক
How Rajshahi got its name
The name is said to derive from Raja or Raj and Shahi (Persian for royal or realm), signifying the royal kingdom or estate ruled by the Hindu rajas under Mughal administration.
Places to visit in Rajshahi
Photo: Aashaa, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Varendra Research Museum বরেন্দ্র গবেষণা জাদুঘর
The country's oldest research museum, housing rare stone sculptures and artefacts from ancient Bengal and the Indus Valley.
- Best time
- Year-round
- Give it
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Admission ৳20 for Bangladeshis, ৳100 for SAARC citizens, ৳200 for other foreign visitors; rickshaw from Shaheb Bazar about ৳30
Photo: Khalidrahman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Puthia Temple Complex পুঠিয়া মন্দির চত্বর
A historic cluster of 19th-century Hindu temples and a royal palace set around large ponds in Puthia.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free entry to temple exteriors; small fee for palace grounds; bus from Rajshahi about ৳40–50 each way
Photo: Porag61, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Bagha Mosque বাঘা মসজিদ
A ten-domed terracotta mosque built in 1523 by Sultan Nusrat Shah, famous for its detailed carved motifs.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free entry; direct bus from Rajshahi about ৳60–80 each way
Photo: Moheen Reeyad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Padma Riverfront পদ্মা নদীর পাড়
The wide riverside promenade along the Padma, popular for evening strolls, sunset boat rides, and street snacks.
- Best time
- October to March, especially late afternoon for sunsets
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free access to the promenade; country boat rides ৳200–500 per boat
Unseen Rajshahi: the lesser-known places
Quieter spots most visitors miss. Go with a local driver or ask us to arrange one.
Photo: Nur Asad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Bara Kuthi বড় কুঠি
The oldest standing colonial building in Rajshahi, built in the first half of the eighteenth century as a Dutch silk trading post.
- Best time
- Year-round
- Give it
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free to view from the outside; rickshaw in town about ৳30
How to get to Rajshahi
- AC and non-AC coaches leave Kalyanpur and Gabtoli frequently, including Green Line, Desh Travels, Hanif, Shyamoli and National Travels, reaching Rajshahi in 5 to 6 hours via the Jamuna Bridge.
- Direct intercity trains from Kamalapur include the non-stop Banalata Express (under 5 hours), plus the Silk City, Padma and Dhumketu Express trains, all stopping at Rajshahi railway station.
- Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla and Air Astra operate daily domestic flights from Dhaka (DAC) to Shah Makhdum Airport (RJH), taking roughly 45 minutes.
Where to stay in Rajshahi
Rooms run from about ৳1,000 a night for a simple hotel, around ৳2,800 mid-range and ৳7,500 or more for the most comfortable. Prices are approximate.
- Grand Riverview Hotel, Kazihata
- Hotel Nice International, Shaheb Bazar
- Hotel Star International, Bornali More
- Hotels around Station Road and Shaheb Bazar
What to eat in Rajshahi
Kalai ruti served with spicy roasted duck bhuna, brinjal bhorta and raw chilli paste is the city's favorite evening meal. In summer, savor fresh Gopalbhog, Khirsapat and Langra mangoes, and buy pure silk sweets and roshogolla from Shaheb Bazar.