Rajshahi has been Bangladesh's silk capital for centuries, and the industry is still very much alive. The city and its surrounding villages are home to numerous silk weaving workshops and factories where you can watch the full production process — from the cocoons of Bombyx mori silkworms through reeling, spinning, dyeing, and weaving on traditional looms. The resulting cloth, known for its fine texture and lustrous finish, is sold at prices far below anything available in Dhaka.
The main shopping area for silk is in the central market district, where dozens of shops sell sarees, fabric by the metre, scarves, and ready-made clothing. For a more authentic experience, ask at your guesthouse about visiting one of the weaving villages outside the city — Rajshahi Division has a long tradition of cottage-industry silk production, and small workshops in villages to the south of the city welcome visitors. The Rajshahi Silk Research and Training Institute near the city centre can also be visited and offers some of the best-quality government-certified fabric.