Bordering India's Meghalaya state to the north, Sherpur transitions from the green agricultural floodplains of the Old Brahmaputra into the rolling Garo Hills. The district is known across Bangladesh for its aromatic Tulsimala rice and the hilltop forest parks of Gazni and Madhutila, where elephant trails thread through mature Sal woods. Quieter than neighbouring tourist routes, it offers scenic day hikes along the frontier.
- From Dhaka
- About 185 km, 4.5 hours by road
- Best time
- November to March
- A day costs
- About ৳1,200 to ৳4,800 per person
What Sherpur is famous for
- Tulsimala rice তুলসীমালা চাল
- Chhanar payesh ছানার পায়েশ
- Garo handicrafts and weaving গারো হস্তশিল্প ও তাঁত
- Border forest honey পাহাড়ি মধু
How Sherpur got its name
The area was historically known as Dash Kahonia after a river ferry toll of ten kahon cowries. It was renamed Sherpur in honour of Sher Ali Gazi, the last independent Gazi ruler who controlled the pargana during the Nawabi period.
Places to visit in Sherpur
Photo: MD. Shoriful Islam T…, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Gazni Abakash গজনী অবকাশ
A hilly recreation park in the Garo foothills of Jhenaigati, with an observation tower, boating lake, and forest trails.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Park entry about ৳20; easy bike or shared CNG roughly ৳150–250 from town
Photo: Nishit Ghosh TurXo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Madhutila Eco Park মধুটিলা ইকোপার্ক
A protected Sal forest eco-park in Nalitabari, with winding knoll trails, an observation tower, and a border lake.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Entry about ৳20; pedal boat ৳100 per half hour; CNG transport from town roughly ৳200–300
Unseen Sherpur: the lesser-known places
Quieter spots most visitors miss. Go with a local driver or ask us to arrange one.
Photo: George achik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Panihata-Tarani Hills and Lake পানিহাটা তারানি পাহাড়
A quiet border knoll on the Bhogai River in Nalitabari, with a hilltop church and sweeping views of Meghalaya's blue ridges.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- No entry fee; hired auto or motorbike from Nalitabari roughly ৳250–350 round trip
Photo: Ayman Nakib Badhan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Ghagra Laskar Khan Mosque ঘাঘড়া লস্কর খান মসজিদ
A surviving single-domed brick mosque from the early 17th century, preserving Mughal masonry and terracotta motifs.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- About an hour
- Cost
- Free entry; shared CNG from Sherpur town roughly ৳30–40 each way
How to get to Sherpur
- Direct buses depart Mohakhali terminal in Dhaka, including Dreamland, Sonar Bangla and Joy Paribahan, reaching Sherpur town in 4.5 to 5 hours via Mymensingh and Nakla.
- There is no direct train station in Sherpur. Passengers take an intercity train from Dhaka to Jamalpur Junction in about 4 hours, then cross the river to Sherpur by shared CNG or bus in 40 minutes.
Where to stay in Sherpur
Rooms run from about ৳600 a night for a simple hotel, around ৳1,500 mid-range and ৳3,500 or more for the most comfortable. Prices are approximate.
- Hotel Shompod Plaza, Raghunath Bazar
- Hotel Aysar Inn, Thana Road
- Hotel Abakash, New Market
- Hotels around Raghunath Bazar in the district town
What to eat in Sherpur
Sherpur's delicate Tulsimala aromatic rice is cooked into fragrant polao and khichuri across the district. Don't miss the rich chhanar payesh sweet from town confectioners, or smoked duck curry served during the winter months.