Among the commercial cities of Bangladesh, Saidpur in Nilphamari district has an ancient tradition. As a result, Syedpur, known as a railway city, has some ancient architectural monuments. Chini Mosque (Chini Mosjid/Chini Mosque) is one of the architectural monuments located in Syedpur. Chini Masjid, located 20 km from Nilphamari Sadar, was built in 1863. Haji Baker Ali and Haji Muku Islambag built the mosque using reeds and bamboo. The mosque was then rebuilt with the help of local people and later by a Hindu man named Shanku. The mosque, built with the spontaneous participation of the local people, uses ceramic plates and broken pieces of glass, marble stones and bricks. This process is called sugaring or working sugar grains. And since then this mosque is named Chini Masjid or Chinese Mosque. This mosque is also known as the Chinese Mosque because it is covered with broken pieces of Chinese pottery. The porcelain ware used in the mosque was brought from Calcutta.
How to go
One can go directly to Syedpur in Nilphamari by taking Nilsagar Express train from Dhaka for a low fare. The price of the train ticket will be 560 to 1921 taka depending on the seat. Several buses leave for Syedpur regularly from Collegegate, Gabtali and Mohakhali bus terminals in Dhaka. AC/Non-AC bus fare will be Tk 800-1650 per person. Besides, you can go to Syedpur by air. Several flights of US Bangla, NovoAir and Bangladesh Biman depart for Syedpur. Air ticket will cost 4500 to 6600 taka.