Mymensingh travel guide

Mymensingh, Bangladesh

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Mymensingh

Introduction

Mymensingh is a major city in north-central Bangladesh, standing on the bank of the Brahmaputra River roughly 120 km north of Dhaka. It serves as the administrative centre of both Mymensingh District and Mymensingh Division, and is a significant financial centre and educational hub for the region.

Expect a densely built, busy urban environment: the city ranks among the most densely populated in Bangladesh, so its streets, markets and riverside areas are lively and closely packed.

Before you go

Mymensingh sits on the river Brahmaputra, about 120 km north of Dhaka, and serves as the headquarters of Mymensingh District. The name is an anglicised form of Momenshahi, after a ruler called Momen Shah, and the city is pronounced moy-mon-shing-haw. It is above all a university city, home to institutions including Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh Medical College and Mymensingh Girls' Cadet College, with the Mymensingh Army Cantonment also among its landmarks.

Before you go, it helps to know what the city is known for: a handcrafted duvet called Nakshikantha and a rural ballad called Moimonsingho Geetika. Knowing the pronunciation in advance will make it easier to ask for directions and to be understood.

Getting there

Mymensingh has no airport of its own, so most travellers arrive via Dhaka, roughly 110 km to the south. From Dhaka's international airport you can either take the 2.5-hour drive or pick up one of the several direct trains that run to Mymensingh. Trains from Dhaka take almost 3 hours; you can board at the airport or at the main Komlapur Rail Station, and you'll arrive at Mymensingh Junction railway station.

Getting around

Mymensingh is a compact city, and most of what you will want to see sits within a short ride of everything else. The centre runs along Ganginarpar Road, with other busy spots at Chorpara Moor, Town Hall Moor, Zero Point Moor and Bridge Moor. The railway line from Dhaka to the northern districts cuts through the city and divides it in two, which is a useful mental map when you are working out which side of town you are on. The centre itself is walkable, and the railway station is close enough to reach on foot or by a very short rickshaw ride. Walking also works well for the traditional shopping area between Durgabari Road and Maharaja Road, which takes in Ganginarpar, Boro Bazaar, Choto Bazaar and Mechua Bazaar. Bear in mind that the central streets are busy, so keep an eye on your belongings in crowds.

Cycle rickshaws are the cheapest way to make short trips and the practical way to link the railway station with the commercial heart of town; CNG auto-rickshaws are the usual choice for longer distances. Carry small cash denominations, since change can be hard to come by. There is no metro, tram, taxi or ride-hailing network, so rickshaws and CNGs fill that role and are easy to find in the busy central areas. Buses are mainly an intercity option rather than a way of touring the city: frequent services arrive from Dhaka at the main bus stand, about a kilometre from the railway station, with less frequent direct buses from Sylhet and Chittagong, and travel from other regions may mean changing in Dhaka. Mymensingh Junction is the rail gateway, with inter-city services from Dhaka's Kamalapur station; book tickets a few days ahead, especially at weekends, and confirm schedules before you travel as they change. If you are heading out to the Garo hills, public buses are infrequent, so arrange a CNG or small bus in advance and check with the local administration about whether a permit is required. Mobile coverage is good and most hotels offer Wi-Fi; buying a local SIM requires a passport. The best time to visit is between November and February, while the monsoon from June to October brings heavy rain and possible transport delays.

Where to stay

Mymensingh's accommodation is concentrated around the railway station and the Brahmaputra riverfront, putting you within easy reach of the town's main transport links and riverside walks. The area around S. K. Moharaja Road is a practical base, with the station roughly 400 metres away and the river about 300 metres beyond.

Food & drink

Mymensingh has plenty of good restaurants where you can settle in for a proper meal. In Charpara you'll find Sorogoram and Foodland, while Sharon sits in Mashkanda and Sharinda has locations in Ganginarpar and by the park. Wherever you eat, the staples are consistent: biriyani, polau (fried rice), bhaat (plain rice), shobjee (vegetables) and khichuri, with Continental dishes also available if you want a change from the local standards.

What to see and do

In Mymensingh town, start with the Zainul Abedin Museum on Park Road, which holds the collections of the artist Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, a pioneer of the country's modern art movement, and the Mymensingh Museum, with its collection of historical items. You can also visit the Botanical Garden at Bangladesh Agricultural University, the riverside Mymensingh park on the bank of the Brahmaputra, and the buildings of Ananda Mohan University College and the Teacher's Training College, the latter an ancient and famous structure used by British Lords. Beyond the town, the greater Mymensingh area offers picnic spots and sites of cultural, natural and historical interest. Head to Gajani for its picnic spots and adventure park, Jalchhatra for its historical and cultural interest, or Birisiri for its blue river and hills. At Trishal you can visit a crocodile farm, while Susong Durgapur and Bijoypur are known for their blue river and mountains. Fulbaria has both an orchid garden and a strawberry garden. Note that three major parks lie on the bank of the Brahmaputra, at Circuit House, near Boro Bazaar, and at the Agricultural University on the edge of town.

When to go

Mymensingh has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate that is slightly cooler than Dhaka, with a heavy rainy season, a mild winter, and a hot, humid spring. The best time for western travellers to visit is the November-to-February window, when the weather is cool and dry.

Three days in Mymensingh

Day one: Arrive in Mymensingh from Dhaka, whether by train into Mymensingh Junction from Komlapur Rail Station or by bus from Mohakhali or Dhaka Airport. Settle in around Ganginarpar Road, Chorpara Moor, Town Hall Moor or Zero Point Moor, the moor points that anchor the town. Spend the afternoon by the Brahmaputra River, watching the current and the boats, then walk the streets near Mymensingh Medical College and Mymensingh Girls. In the evening, listen for Moimonsingho Geetika, the region's songs, and look for Nakshikantha, the embroidered quilt craft associated with Mymensingh District.

Day two: Head out to Bangladesh Agricultural University, one of the anchors of the city, and take your time on its grounds. Continue to the Mymensingh Army Cantonment area and Cadet College, both part of the town's institutional character. Expect a warm, humid day, so plan your walking for the cooler hours. Return toward the centre for the evening, passing the moor points again.

Day three: Use the morning to revisit what you liked most, whether the riverbank or the town centre around the moors. If you have time before leaving, look again for Nakshikantha work and Moimonsingho Geetika, the two traditions that give Mymensingh its name in the wider Mymensingh Division. Then take your onward transport back toward Dhaka, by train from Mymensingh Junction or by one of the several bus options such as Shoukhin, Nirapad, Deluxe or Ena.

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