It is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh, which is itself home to some 163 million, 15% of whom reside in the Greater Dhaka Area. Once it was established as the capital, Dhaka continued to grow and progress at an increasing rate and diversify as the financial, commercial and entertainment capital of Bangladesh.
Currently, the city hosts over 50 diplomatic missions and international organizations such as the headquarters of BIMSTEC which advocates technological and economic cooperation between seven nations of the Bay of Bengal region. Slated to soon be standing shoulder to shoulder with the world's largest cities, including Tokyo, Shanghai, Mexico City, and New York City, Dhaka is now undeniably one of the most vigorously developing megalopolis in the world.
Restaurants, shopping malls and luxury hotels continue to stimulate Dhaka’s economy and City Centre Dhaka, located in the Motijheel business district, is currently the tallest building. Dhaka has also become one of the most industrial regions of Bangladesh. Jute processing and the manufacture of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, leather goods, ceramics, and electronics products all take place in the capital.
The city also prides itself on producing a range of traditional products that includes jamdani (muslin of a much-prized quality) embroidery and jewelry.
Here are the best things to do in Dhaka:
Dhaka, the main gateway to Bangladesh is a city to get lost. Dhaka was once called the Venice of the East as no less than four rivers form its boundaries: the Buriganga River, Turag River, Dhaleshwari River and Shitalakshya River and there used to be an extensive grid of canals throughout the city. Many of those minor waterways have fallen into disrepair so the comparison to Venice has come to apply more to Dhaka’s past than its present. W
hen Portuguese traders established the Bengal center of muslin, silk and cotton trade in the city in 1580, the metropolis became one of the most prosperous in the Indian subcontinent for over one hundred years.
1. Ride a Rickshaw
Number 1 is no surprise. If you are visiting the city of Rickshaw you must ride on a Rickshaw. The city is full of them.
2. Taste the Local Food
Local food, specially Biriyani is a must. Specially the foods in the Old Dhaka is most famous. Hajir Biriyani, Nanna Biriyani, Fakhruddin er Biriyani are must. Also there are many many exotic spicy foods awaits for you.
3. Shopping Garments
Reserve one day for Old Dhaka only. In that case you will be able to explore the old Dhaka beauty and also make one hell of a shopping you will remember for the rest of your life. Yes shopping in Babubazar and Bongobazar, Dhaka is worth remembering for the foreigners. As Bangladesh is known for cheap local garments and with high quality you will find good products in a low price here.
4. Lalbagh Fort
Visit Lalbagh Fort 17th century Mughal fort complex that stands before the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka. The Lalbagh Fort is situated in front of the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka district. It is a 17th-century fort with art and antiques. The fort includes 1600s fort complex with three buildings. These three building includes one mosque, the tomb of Bibi Pari and the Diwan-i-Aam.
There is a beautiful mosque which contains paintings, antiques and historical weapons used by the rules of that time. The construction work of Lalbagh Fort was started in 1678 AD. It was made by the Mughal Subahdar Muhammad Azam Shah. He was the son of Aurangzeb. Also try to visit the always busy full of life Sadarghat launch terminal.
5. Buying Books
Are you a book worm? If yes good news you can buy original books as well as their copy in a ridiculously low price from Nilkhet Book market. Both academic books and others all are available. Being close to Dhaka University and Dhaka University your visit will be memorable.
6. Shopping Mall
Visit South Asia’s largenst shopping mall Jamuna Future Park. Its huge and has many international brand shops. You can visit Bashundhara City Shopping Complex too.
You wont regret this. The food in Bangladesh is cheap. You have to eat where the local people eat. It is cheaper to eat Bengali food than international food. Yes, the Fuchka is a street food and you must try it. Otherwise you won’t get what you are missing. You will get this item near any park or tourist spot in Dhaka city.
Where there is a crowded place you will get this Fuchka shop. Best is to have some Fuchka in front of National Assembly Building. The building is very beautifully designed by Lui I Kan. It will be a calm evening and getting two bird with one stone.
Also visit Hatirjhil at night. Elephant fountain will entertain you.
Its annual Mangal Shobhajatra (procession for well-being) celebration has even been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. This popular early morning procession is held on the first day of the Bengali new year and it is organized and led by students and teachers from the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University.
The procession displays massive, colorful replicas of animals and folk tales intended to celebrate unity, peace, secularism and the expulsion of evil.
As one of the most thriving cities in the Indian subcontinent, Dhaka has become an industrious and studious metropolis. The city boasts various state colleges, a nuclear-science training and research center, national library, national art gallery and several important universities, that includes University of Dhaka, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and Jahangirnagar University.
It should come as no surprise then that Dhaka constitutes the economic engine of the entire land as well as its political hub and cultural center. Furthermore, it is also the largest city in Eastern South Asia, the 10th densest populated in the world and with the 7th most populated metro area on the planet.
7. Ahsan Manzil
Ahsan Manzil is at Kumartoli, Dhaka. Kumartoli is located along the banks of the Buriganga River in Dhaka city. The Ahsan Manzil constructed as the official presidential palace of the Nawab of Dhaka city. The construction work of Ahsan Manzil started in 1859. It took approximately 13 years to complete the construction work of the Ahsan Manzil and completed in 1872.
This building was constructed by following the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture. The palace is divided into two parts, one is the eastern side and another one is the western side. The building construction on the eastern side along with the dome is Rangmahal. The western side of the building including the living rooms is Andarmahal. While visiting here you will see a high octagonal dome which is in the central room of the palace.
8. Mymensingh
Birisiri is located on the border with India. It is a traditional village with sand streets and children climbing kites. Nearby is the China Clay Hills, a turquoise water lake surrounded by green mountains and rice plantations. The landscape is fascinating.
9. Chattogram
Chittagong is the second most important city in the country. The charm of Chittagong are the treks and mountain roads that leave from there. Sitakunda is famous for the Chandranath Temple. It is located on top of a mountain. The views are the most beautiful. You even get to see the sea. Rangamati is one of the best hilly places to visit in Bangladesh.
Rangamati is in the Chittagong Hill Tracts area. You can do trekking in the hills and enjoy the natural beauty. It is the home of tribal groups. There are some handicraft markets where you can visit and can buy some handmade fabrics. The tribal groups made fine quality products or fabrics. In Rangamati there is a Buddhist monastery ‘Rajban Bihar’, and you can also visit the place.
The reason behind traveling to Rangamati is to see the Kaptai Lake. Though Kaptai Lake is a manmade lake you will be surprised seeing the natural beauty of the place. This lake is surrounded by beautiful hills and is full of blue water. When you climb up the hill you will be like ‘WOW’ after seeing the natural beauty around the place. You can enjoy boat riding on the Kaptai Lake as long as you want to ride.
You can explore Bandarbans to search tribal people with natural beauty inside Bangladesh. Inside Bandarban, you will find amazing Sangu River where you can find pure tranquillity with amazing nature.
10. Sreemangal
Srimangal is a small town with three streets and six corners. The greatest charm are the tea plantations that surround it. There is not much to do except walk aimlessly, chat with locals and drink chai.
11. Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazar is the most attractive tourist spot in Bangladesh and has the longest sea beach in the world. Cox’s Bazar sea beach is the world’s largest sea beach and unbroken sandy beach. The length of this unbroken sandy beach is 125 km long. The beach has a gentle slope into the sea. Cox’s Bazar is located in the South Eastern part of Bangladesh along the Bay of Bengal.
Not only for tourists but also for local people of Bangladesh Cox’s Bazar is most popular than other places of Bangladesh. The reason behind its popularity is the long natural sandy beach. The beach is the perfect place for relaxing when you get tired of responsibilities and city life or after a long trip. You can also visit the wholesale fish market here while visiting Cox’s Bazar.
There are many 3 star and 5 star hotels and resorts in the Cox’s Bazar which provide the exclusive beachside place for the tourist. Tourists who stay in other hotels can come to visit the Laboni beach which is closest to the Cox’s Bazar town. Enjoy horse riding, sunsets behind the waves and lots of things. Cox's Bazar sea beach remains crowded almost throughout the year. It is a good place for sea bathing.
The Aggmeda Khyang is a large Buddhist monastery in the Cox’s Bazar. This place is admired by around 400,000 Buddhist. All of them are from Cox’s Bazar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The first Safari Park in Bangladesh known as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park is also in the Cox’s Bazar. The natural beauty of this safari park is tropical evergreen.
This safari park features valuable trees like Garjan, Boilam, Telsur and Chapalish. The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park is a suitable area for the animals where the animals live in a natural and friendly environment. When you will go to visit the safari park you can easily see the animal where ever you are like on the bus, jeep or while walking on foot.
That’s why Cox’s Bazar is considered as one of the best places to visit in Bangladesh which almost every tourist visit while travelling in Bangladesh.
12. St. Martin's Island
Saint Martin is the mind-blowing coral island in the Bay of Bengal. If you are a beach lover then Saint Martin is one of the best places to visit in Bangladesh. The beach is the perfect place for relaxing when you get tired of city life or after a long trip. You can enjoy the natural beauty easily by staying here in the night.
There are some private resorts where you can stay for a few days and can relax when you will become tired of traveling to other places of Bangladesh.
13. Sundarbans
Sundarban is the world’s largest mangrove forest. It is one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the whole world and world heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 1997. The Sundarban is an extensive forest along with the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh and India. It is spread across the Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra river basins of Bangladesh. The area of this forest extends across Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat districts of Bangladesh. It is a safe and suitable environment for the Royal Bengal Tigers and many other wildlife in the world.
14. Himchari National Park
There are many places in Cox’s Bazar near the town which you can easily visit from town centre or your hotel. Some of these places are Himchari National Park, Ramu, Aggmeda Khyang, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Safari Park etc. Himchari is at the south part of the Cox’s Bazar city. In the Himchari you will see the natural lush tropical rainforest, plain grasslands. There are some natural waterfalls in the Himchari, one of these waterfalls flows down toward the sandy, sun-drenched beach.
15. Sixty Dome Mosque
Bagerhat is in the Khulna district. In Bagerhat there are a lot of amazing historic mosques. Among all the beautiful mosques the Sixty Dome Mosque is most attractive. The Sixty Dome Mosque is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Bangladesh, it is the largest in Bagerhat from the Sultanate period. The architect of this beautiful mosque is Khan Jahan Ali.
The sixty dome mosque has been described as the most splendid Muslim monuments in the Indian subcontinent at that time. In Bagerhat there are more than fifty Islamic monuments that you can visit.
16. Sompur Mahavihara
Paharpur a tiny little place is in the northern part of Bangladesh. The most splendid archaeological site named Somapura Mahabhihara is located at Paharpur. The Paharpur Somapura Mahabhihara is also a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO. In Paharpur you will see a combination of Buddhist temples and monasteries.
12. Sajek Valley
Sajek Valley is in the Rangamati district. Sajek Valley is one of the emerging places to visit in Bangladesh as a tourist. It is located in the hills of Kasalong. The name of this place came from the name of Sajek River. The Sajek River is located in the mid of both Bangladesh and India. The Sajek Valley is approximately 2000 feet above from the sea level. You can see the seashore from 2000 feet above. It is also popular as the Queen of hills and roof of Rangamati so you can enjoy the beauty of all the hills of Rangamati district.
17. Inani Beach
Inani Beach is located in the Ukhia Upazila of Cox’s Bazar district of beautiful Bangladesh. This sea beach is 18 kilometres long. This long sea beach is filled with a lot of coral stones. The coral stones of this beach are too sharp so be careful while walking on the beach because you may get injured. You will see black and green coral stones on the beach. The stones are found on the beach in summer or rainy seasons. Inani Beach comes in the number twelve on our list of beautiful tourist places to visit in Bangladesh because of its natural beauty and beach with coral stones.
18. Shalban Bihar
Old heritage searchers will definitely love Moynamoti inside Comilla District. You can find a wonderful architectural structure with a wide view of old sculptures.
19. Sylhet
Sylhet is the capital of the northeastern region of Bangladesh. It is one of the best naturally beautiful places to visit in Bangladesh. There are too many wonderful places to visit in the Sylhet district. First of all, you can visit Jaflong. Jaflong is the stone collecting area.
You will enjoy the natural beauty of Jaflong because of the combination of Surma River and large hills of the Meghalaya state of India. Sylhet is close to the Meghalaya state of India. You will meet different types of tribal people in the Jaflong area. You can also visit the green water canal called Lalakhal, Ratargul swam forest and wonderful tea gardens here. In Sylhet, you will also meet the Khasia tribal people. They grow betel leaves in hilly areas of the forest.
Srimangal is the tea capital of the country. Anywhere in that region, you go, see the lush tea gardens. When you visit the tea gardens you can enjoy the beauty in your own way. Not only the tea gardens, Srimangal is really a nice and calm place. You can also cycle through the trails inside the tea gardens of Srimangal. You will never get this experience in any other place in Bangladesh. In Srimangal you can also visit the Lawachhara National Park and Hamham waterfall. Hamham waterfall is another natural beauty of Bangladesh.
Want to visit a place full of beautiful Hindu Temples? In the Rajshahi district, there is a small village in Puthia which is full of historical Hindu temples. The design of the temples of Puthia is very unique than other temples of Bangladesh. You will see some temples ornamented with terracotta plaques in the Puthia. As a tourist, you should not miss this place to visit. It is one of the beautiful places to visit in Bangladesh.
In the Medieval period, the Sonargaon city was considered as the capital of Bengal. You can easily spend a day in Sonargaon by enjoying the architectural buildings made by the architect of that time. There are still a lot of places to visit in the Sonargaon. One of the most attractive places to visit in Sonargaon is Panam Nagar. When you go to Sonargaon don’t forget to visit the Goaldi Mosque. You can also visit folk arts and crafts museum located in the Sonargaong city.
If you are looking for an island with potential and natural scenery then count on Manpura Island. Monpura Dip is located in the southern part of Beautiful Bangladesh within Noakhali District. The total area of Monpura dip is about 373 square Km. It is a small island of natural beauty and obviously a quiet place to spend your holidays within lovely nature.
Hotels in Bangladesh
The accommodation depends a lot on what type of trip you want to make. In Bangladesh, guest-houses are very common. In the heart of Dhaka's main commercial hub, hotels like the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden provide a serene escape from the busy city that offers the perfect balance of supreme comfort and business-minded functionality, with five-star resort amenities and incredible conveniences.
This accommodation is also a popular option as it is a short ten-minute drive to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) and it is located near major business and tourist attractions, such as the National Assembly Building or Ahsan Manzil.
Language in Bangladesh
Though most residents of Dhaka speak Bengali - the national language, English is spoken particularly for business purposes by a significant segment of the population.
Weather in Bangladesh
The city has three distinct subtropical seasons: cool, rainy monsoon, hot and humid and dry and cool, with an annual average temperature of 26 °C.
How to Go to Dhaka from Kolkata
The easiest way to enter Bangladesh is by train. Three times a week the Maitree Express runs. It is an international service that links Kolkata with Dhaka in less than 12 hours.
Visas for Bangladesh
Most countries require a visa to enter Bangladesh. If you enter the country by plane you can apply for an on-arrival visa that is processed directly at the airport. But if you enter by land, you must first process the visa at any Embassy or High Commission in Bangladesh. Most of the few tourists that visit the country do so from India, thus processing the visa in New Delhi or Kolkata.