Nilphamari, Rangpur
A town built around one of the country’s oldest railway workshops, with British-era railway quarters, the shard-decorated Chini Mosque and a kebab-and-paratha food scene.
Saidpur grew up with the railway. Its railway workshop, set up in 1870 during British rule, became one of the largest in the region, building and repairing carriages and wagons, and much of the town — its quarters, offices and church — was laid out around it.
Railway work drew people from far away, and after 1947 the town took in a large Urdu-speaking community. That history still shapes Saidpur’s streets, languages and kitchens.
The town’s Chini Mosque is known for its walls covered in pieces of china and ceramic, a striking example of local craftsmanship that many visitors come to see.
Walk or ride a rickshaw past the old railway buildings and quarters around the station and workshop.
See the china-shard decoration up close, outside prayer times.
Wander the busy town centre and stop for tea.
End the day at the kebab and paratha stalls.
October to March, when the weather is good for walking the town
Saidpur is a short bus or CNG ride south of Nilphamari town, and it has its own railway station and airport with flights from Dhaka. Within the town, use rickshaws.
