A newly emerged sandbar in the Padma River is attracting growing numbers of visitors after photos and videos on social media branded the scenic spot as Rajshahi’s "Mini Switzerland".
Located in Char Khidirpur area of Paba upazila, the sandbar is locally known as Middle Char. Its white sand, green fields, grazing cattle, Kash flowers and vast stretches of the Padma have turned it into an emerging destination for nature lovers and day-trippers.
Visitors usually travel to the char from Dogor Ghat by boat, a journey that takes about 30 minutes, followed by a roughly two-kilometre walk to the main settlement. Boats have been carrying visitors throughout the day, and boatmen say passenger numbers have increased sharply in recent weeks.
“Just two weeks ago, boatmen used to spend their time sitting idle at this ghat. Suddenly, people started coming to visit the char,” said boatman Sujon Ali. He said the fare remains Tk25 per person and that the increased flow of visitors has improved their earnings.
Middle Char changes dramatically with the seasons. During the monsoon, the Padma surrounds the sandbar with water, while receding water reveals broad stretches of white sand. In autumn and winter, Kash flowers add colour to the landscape, while green vegetation and grazing livestock create a striking contrast.
The scenery is particularly attractive in the late afternoon, when sunlight reflects on the river and the changing colours of the sky appear on the water.
The term “Mini Switzerland” is not an official tourism designation. It is an informal nickname popularised by visitors and social media content creators. Although the char has long been familiar to local residents, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok videos have recently introduced it to people across Rajshahi and beyond.
Mohammad Mobasher, a ninth-grade student of Madinatul Ulum Kamil Madrasa, said he visited after watching videos online.
“I saw many videos about this char on Facebook and YouTube. I really like it here,” he said. “There is a huge field beside the vast river, and the whole area is green. Cattle are grazing across the field. We played football with our friends and went swimming in the river. Overall, we had a great time.”
Rajshahi College student Ishrat Jahan visited the char with seven friends. She said the open landscape offered a sense of freedom that was difficult to find in the city.
“It feels like opening a window to the outside world,” she said.
Despite the rising number of tourists, Middle Char remains home to a community dependent mainly on agriculture and livestock. Most houses are made of corrugated metal sheets and straw, while raised sandy paths serve as roads.
Livestock farming is an important source of income. Some herds contain between 80 and 300 animals, including cows, sheep, goats and buffaloes. Milk produced on the char is sold in Rajshahi city, including to hotels and other businesses, while some residents sell milk along the river embankment for Tk70-Tk80 per litre. Jute is another important seasonal activity.
However, the rising river level has disrupted daily life. Char Khidirpur Government Primary School has experienced declining attendance as students struggle to cross waterlogged areas. Teachers expect attendance to improve after the water recedes.
The growing tourist presence has also raised safety concerns, especially during the monsoon. Changing sandbanks, soft sand, sudden depressions and strong river currents can pose serious risks.
On August 13, Rajshahi City Corporation distributed life jackets to boatmen at the ghat and instructed them to prevent overloading and ensure passengers wear life jackets. Naval Police are also encouraging visitors to follow safety measures.
Local residents have urged tourists not to leave plastic, polythene or food packaging behind. Officials and community members believe Middle Char could become a significant tourism destination if its popularity is managed responsibly.
Improved boat safety, waste-management facilities, visitor guidelines and community-based tourism could help develop the char while protecting its natural environment. For now, the Padma, white sand, greenery and open sky continue to draw visitors seeking a brief escape from the bustle of Rajshahi city.
Rajshahi region Naval Police Superintendent Mohammad Billal Hossain said passengers were being encouraged to use life jackets.
“Many passengers are still reluctant to wear life jackets, but we are trying to convince everyone,” he said.
Harian Union ward member Shahidul Islam said the number of visitors had increased significantly after content creators began posting photographs and videos of Middle Char.
He urged visitors to refrain from throwing plastic, polythene and food packaging on the char.
Local residents and officials believe the area could become a significant tourism destination if the growing popularity is managed properly.
