Planning a quiet trip? Netrokona offers nature without the crowd

Mymensingh's Netrokona is probably not on your mind when picking a travel destination. Sure, names like Cheena Matir Pahar and Birishiri sound enticing; you keep hearing about these from time to time, but what else? Being such an underrated region for tourism, Netrokona is hardly ever in the limelight.

But hopefully, after reading this piece, you will be convinced that this district is a gem for travellers! From picturesque scenery to sites of remembrance to an iconic sweet delicacy, Netrokona has a lot to offer.

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Uniquely beautiful

Let's start with a prime attraction. Situated in Durgapur upazila are the China Clay Hills (Cheena Matir Pahar). It is not your usual set of hills, but rather a unique one. The small hills have a rugged outlook, standing brilliantly in whitish, reddish, and yellowish colours. The distinct geology accounts for this striking appearance.

Also striking are the water bodies surrounding it. Commonly referred to as Birishiri Lake, it perfectly complements the surrounding hills. Visitors are awed by the serene bluish-green waters.

To appreciate Durgapur is to cherish its uniqueness. We may see larger hills and lakes in other places of Bangladesh, but those of Durgapur are pleasantly unusual in their appearance!

Meanwhile, the nearby Someshwari River promises tranquillity. With portions of the sky blocked by distant hills, a boat ride offers beautiful views all around — a treat for the eyes!

Netrokona is dotted with a number of tilas, or small hills. For those who are not up for trekking but enjoy greenery and hills, Netrokona is a perfect place to visit.

There are "tilas" in Durgapur, but our recommendation would be to visit Momin's Tila in Lengura, Kalmakanda. It is easy to climb, the large trees provide a beautiful ambience, and from the top, you can see larger hills in the distance. It is peaceful and far from the madding crowd!

Remember, Netrokona is no Cox's Bazar or Sylhet. You will surely find many tourists, but the number is much less compared to the more touristy areas of our country. Therefore, its beauty is still pristine, plus one can find themselves away from chaos.

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"Country roads, take me home"

When we speak of scenic roads that offer a pleasant drive in Bangladesh, we usually think of the Marine Drive, the winding ways of Bandarban, etc. However, something that often does not get that much attention but deserves a lot is the roads through Kalmakanda.

In Kalmakanda, particularly in and around Lengura and Panchgaon, you are never far away from the beautiful scenery of larger hills on the horizon, against the backdrop of blue skies and white clouds, rising from the ground in all its splendour.   

You do not need a destination; a carefree and fun ride with friends and family, and a suitable playlist in the background are enough to create memories that will last a lifetime!

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Soaked in history

Mymensingh overall is obviously very rich in history, and Netrokona district surely has a fair share of it as well.

Not far from Momin's Tila, close to the border, is the Tomb of Seven Martyrs, more commonly known as "Saat Shohider Shomadhi". Surrounded by large trees, at the very edge of our country, lies a set of graves of freedom fighters that some of us perhaps do not even know of!

The site pays homage to seven valiant freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives in a historic battle that took place on 26 July, 1971, in Kalmakanda.   

On the other hand, back in Durgapur, one can visit the two memorials paying tribute to the Tonk Movement, a struggle that occurred around the end of the British colonial period.

Meanwhile, located in the Kendua upazila are the ruins of Ruailbari Fort, a site that is believed to be a military outpost from the Sultanate era. Thanks to the excavation works, it is now an archaeological site that will surely be of interest to history buffs.

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A sweet treat

Last but not least, anyone visiting Netrokona town must visit Gayanath Mistanno Bhandar for its highly acclaimed balish mishti.

This pillow-shaped mishti is one of the glories of Netrokona. After enjoying over a century of popularity, the balish mishti has also recently earned the GI (Geographical Indication) tag.

This sweet is very much a part of the Netrokona culture. Celebrations like weddings call for Gayanath's balish sweets, which come in various sizes. The larger ones can even feed five people.

As one can understand, there is passion as well as pride among the locals regarding this delicacy. And so, if you are in Netrokona, this soft, sweet, pillow-shaped wonder that has survived the test of time is something you should definitely dig your teeth into.

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Essentials

Netrokona is indeed not only about Birishiri and the China Clay Hills. It is so much more: a promise of spending a memorable time amidst nature, history, and delicious food!

One of the best ways to get there is by road (buses or, more comfortably, by car). From the Mymensingh district, you can make a day trip to Netrokona; it takes about 2.5 hours. Depending on your itinerary, a full day may suffice if you start off early.

There are a number of good hotels in Mymensingh city. Stay in one of those for a night, and return to Dhaka the next day, or perhaps go for another spot in the division.

Mymensingh division is dotted with numerous places of interest!

So, the next time you are planning a trip — especially if you are looking for a place that has yet to become crowded or too common — exploring Netrokona is perhaps what you are looking for.