Chhoilar Char
ছৈলার চর
A young, wild char in the Bishkhali river at Kathalia, thick with chhoila trees and birds, reached only by boat.
At a glance
- Where
- Jhalokathi district, Barishal division
- From Dhaka
- 200 km to Jhalokathi by road, 5–7 hours by bus or car
- Best time
- winter (Dec–Jan) and spring (Feb–Mar)
- Time needed
- About 2 h
Times and costs are estimates from our planner and the prices we collected. Check before you go.
Representative photo from Jhalokathi district, not of this exact place. Have a photo of your own? Let us know →
See the place on video
Chhoilar Char rose out of the Bishkhali river at Kathalia a little over a decade ago and now covers about 70 acres. It takes its name from the tens of thousands of chhoila trees that grew up on it, mixed with keya, hogla and other plants. Mynas, waterhens and herons are common. The district administration listed it as a tourist spot in 2015, but it has never been developed: there is no jetty, no toilets and no paths, and visitors wade through mud to get ashore. For those who like rough edges, it is one of the least-known green spots in the south.
How to get there
From Jhalokathi go by road to Kathalia, then hire a boat from Kathalia launch ghat; there is no road access.
Good to know
Go between January and March when the char is dry. Wear clothes and sandals you can get muddy, carry water, and go with a local boatman; return before dark.
Common questions
Where is Chhoilar Char?
Chhoilar Char is in Jhalokathi district, Barishal division, Bangladesh. Jhalokathi is about 200 km from Dhaka by road.
How do you get to Chhoilar Char from Dhaka?
First get to Jhalokathi, roughly 5–7 hours from Dhaka by bus or car. Then: From Jhalokathi go by road to Kathalia, then hire a boat from Kathalia launch ghat; there is no road access.
When is the best time to visit Chhoilar Char?
The best time is winter (Dec–Jan) and spring (Feb–Mar). Allow about 2 h for the visit.
More from Jhalokathi
District guide →
Place Bhimruli floating guava market
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Place Kirtipasha Zamindar Bari
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