Birishiri and the china-clay hills travel guide

At a glance

Location

Bijoypur, Durgapur upazila

Mineral

White clay (china clay/kaolin)

Features

White-pink hillocks and bluish-green lakes

Best time

November–March

History and details

Under the ground at Bijoypur in Durgapur upazila there are big deposits of white clay (kaolin, or china clay), a raw material for ceramics. Extraction began here in 1957. Decades of digging have cut deep pits into the hillocks, where rainwater has collected to form bluish-green lakes.

The minerals give the hillsides layers of white, pink, yellow and grey — with clear coloured water below. This view is now the main attraction of a Birishiri trip.

The Small Ethnic Groups Cultural Academy at Birishiri, founded in 1977, works to preserve the culture of the Garo, Hajong and other peoples. Nearby are the Susang Durgapur zamindar house, the Tonk movement memorial, Ranikhong Mission and the Someshwari River — a lovely two-day trip in all.

Things to do

• Photograph the coloured hillocks from the lakeside
• Cross the Someshwari River to Ranikhong Mission
• See Garo cultural artefacts at the Cultural Academy
• Visit the Hajong Mata Rashimoni Memorial

How to get to Birishiri and the china-clay hills

In Durgapur upazila; about 8 km by auto/motorbike from Birishiri.

Netrokona is about 160 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 4–5 hours.

• 🚌 By bus: Direct Durgapur/Birishiri buses from Mohakhali (Jinnat, Sarkar), fare ৳400–500; or via Netrokona.
• 🚆 By train: Haor Express/Mohua Commuter from Kamalapur to Netrokona or Mohanganj.

Where to stay

• YMCA and YWCA guest houses
• Birishiri Cultural Academy rest house
• A few local hotels including Swarna Guest House

What to eat

Netrokona's balish mishti (famous), haor fish

Good to know

• The ground by the lakes is crumbly — keep away from the edge
• The Someshwari, Ranikhong and the Hajong memorial can be seen together

More to see nearby

• Someshwari River (3 km)
• Ranikhong Mission (6 km)
• Susang Durgapur Zamindar Bari (2 km)
• Kamala Ranir Dighi (5 km)

More places to visit in Netrokona district

• Someshwari River — A river of clear water coming down from the Garo Hills, with sandbanks.
• Ranikhong Mission — A Catholic mission from 1910 on a hillock; lovely views of the Someshwari.
• Hajong Mata Rashimoni Memorial — A memorial to Rashimoni Hajong, martyr of the Tonk movement.

Location on the map