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 places to visit in Bangladesh:
1. Dhaka
Dhaka, the main gateway to the country 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.
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazar is the most attractive tourist spot in Bangladesh and has the longest sea beach in the world. 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.
6. Sylhet
Sylhet is the capital of the northeastern region of Bangladesh. Like Srimangal, tea plantations are the reason why the few tourists visit the region.
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.
Food in Bangladesh
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.
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.