Situated on the north bank of the Buriganga River, Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh. It is world famous as the city of Mosques and muslin. Having a happy blending of old and new architectural trends, Dhaka has been developing fast as a modern city and is throbbing with activities in all spheres of life. It is the centre of industrial, commercial, cultural, educational and political activities for Bangladesh. The industrial establishments at Tongi Teigaon, Demra, Pagla, Kanchpur turnout daily necessities. Motijheel is the main commercial area of the city. Dhaka's major waterfront Sadarghat is on the bank of the river Buriganga and is crowded with all kinds of rivercraft, yachts, country boats, motor launches, paddle - steamers, fishermen's boats all bustling with activity. Colourful rickshaws (tricycle) on the city streets are common attractions for the visitors.
Dhaka is an exciting city to tour. The city has some of the beautifully constructed mosques that include seven domed Mosque, Baitul Mukarram built in 17th century, National Mosque and Star Mosque (18th century). A visit to these mosques is an ideal thing to do on your tours to Dhaka. You can also tour important Hindu temples, which include Dhakeshwari Temple constructed in 11th century and RamaKrishna Mission. The famous churches include Armenian church, Church of Bangladesh or Former holy Rosary Church at Teigaon.The Lalbagh fort was built in 1678 by Prince Mohammad Azam son of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb is another important place to tours in Dhaka.The outstanding monuments of the Lalbagh are the tomb of Pari Bibi, Lal Bagh Mosque, Audience Hall and Hamam of Nawab Shaista Khan now a museum. Symbol of Bengali nationalism, the Central Shahid Minar was built to commemorate the martyrs of the historic Language movement of 1952. On 21 February every year hundreds and thousands of people with floral wreaths and bouquet gather to pay respect in a solemn atmosphere.
Dhaka also houses famous Kamalapur Buddhist Monastery, the graveyard of Revolutionary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam adjacent to the Dhaka University and Institute of Arts and Crafts, that you should tour when you are in Dhaka. The institute is located in the picturesque surroundings of Shahbagh displaying art and craft by the Bangladeshi artists. Explore Sonargaon, one of the oldest capitals of Bengal. Other attractions in and around Dhaka include Aparajeya Bangla Monument, picnic spots at Chandra and Salna. Cruise by country boat in the nearby river or visit village to see jute cultivation, weaving and pottery making. The oldest section of the city runs along the north bank of the waterfront. A must-see in the Old City is the area between the two main water transport terminals, Sadarghat and Badam Tole, where the panorama of river life on the Buriganga is particularly fascinating. Along the waterfront is the old baroque-style palace, Ahsan Manzil. The National Museum is north of the Old City in the old European zone known as Modern City is another important place to tours. It has fascinating display of Bangladesh's Hindu, Buddhist and Mughal past and an extensive collection of fine folk art and handicrafts.
Chittagong, the second largest city in Bangladesh lies on the bank of the Karnapuli River. It is an ideal vacation spot to tour with green hills and forests, broad sandy beaches and its fine cool climate always attract holiday-makers. It has an interesting old waterfront area known as Sadarghat reflecting the importance of river trade to the city's growth. Nearby is the Old Portuguese enclave of Paterghatta. The Shahi Jama-e-Masjid and Qadam Mubarak Mosque are two of the most impressive buildings in the city that you should tour on your visit to Chittagong. It is also worth visiting the Ethnological Museum in the Modern City displaying, an interesting life of Bangladesh's tribal people. The Fairy Hill in the British City lies in the northwestern sector of the city. Foy's Lake (Pahartali Lake) is set amidst picturesque surroundings in the railway township of Pahartali 8 km. from Chittagong. This is an ideal spot of outing and picnic thronged by thousands of visitors every week. You can visit the well-preserved cemetery at a quiet and picturesque place within the city over 700 soldiers from British, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, Myanmar, East and West Africa, The Netherlands and Japan lie buried in eternal peace who laid down their lives on the Myanmar front during the World War II.
Chittagong has some fascinating beaches that you can tour. Patenga beach is about 22 km. from Chittagong and is approachable by a motorable road. Another ideal picnic spot is the Fouzdarhat sea-beach about 16 km. from Chittagong. The Shrine of Shah Amanat is a place of religious attraction, located in the heart of the town. The shrine is visited by hundreds of people everyday who pay homage to the memory of the saint. About 37 km. from Chittagong, lays an interesting place known as Sitakunda, served by a railway station of the same name.This place has many famous temples such as Chandranath Temple and the Buddhist Temple with a footprint of Lord Buddha. The Buddhists and the Hindus regard these places particularly the hilltops very sacred. Shiva-chaturdashi festival is held every year in February when thousands of pilgrims assemble for the celebrations that last about ten days. There is a salt-water spring 5 km. to the north of Sitakunda, known as Labanakhya.Chittagong has some reasonable places to stay. The tourist capital of Bangladesh offers miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing waves, rare conch shells, colorfulpagodas, Buddhist temples and tribes and delightful seafood. Having the world's longest (120 kilometers.) beach sloping gently down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar is one of the most attractive tourist spots in the country that you can visit on your Bangladesh tour. Aggameda Khyang elaborately planned and decorated is situated near the entrance to the Cox's Bazar town. It is nestled at the foot of a hill under heavy cover of a stand of large trees. The main sanctuary-cum-monastery is carried on a series of round timber columns, which apart from accommodating the prayer chamber and an assembly hall, also is the repository of a large of small bronze Buddha images-mostly of Burmese origin-- and some old manuscripts. Apart from an inscription in Burmese over its entrance, the temple contains some large stucco and bronze Buddha images. Cox's Bazaar offers unspoilt beach Himacheri of about 32 km. The famous "Broken Hills" and waterfalls here are rare sights to be relished with delight. Inani beach casts a magic spell on those who step into that dreamland. It is only half an hour's drive from Cox's Bazar and an ideal place for Sea-bathing and picnic.
Maheskhali is an island off the coast of Cox's Bazar. It has an area of 268 square kilometers. Through the center of the island and along the eastern coast line rises a range of low hills, 300 feet high; but the coast to the west and north is a low-lying treat, fringed by mangrove jungle. The shrine of Adinath is built in the hills on the coast, dedicated to Siva. By its side on the same hill is Buddhist Pagoda. Ramu is a typical Buddhist village, about 16 km. from Cox's Bazar, on the main road to Chittagong. There are monasteries, khyangs and pagodas containing images of Buddha in gold, bronze and other metals inlaid with precious stones.One of the most interesting of these temples is on the bank of the Baghkhali river. It houses not only interesting relics and Burmese handicrafts but also a large bronze statue of Buddha measuring thirteen feet high and rests on a six feet high pedestal. The wood carving of this khyang is very delicate and refined. Sonadia Island is about seven kilometer of Cox's Bazar and about nine square kilometer in area. The western side of the island is sandy and you can find different kinds of shells on the beach. There are beds of windowpane oysters off the northern part of the island. Southernmost tip of Bangladesh, Teknaf is situated on the Naaf River and just at the end of the hilly regions of the district. Watch wild animals but riverboat journey is more thrilling. You will never forget this enchanting scene of wide sandy beach in the backdrop of high hills with green forests.
Mainimati Ruins are famous as an important center of Buddhist culture. The ruins are located about 70km (43mi) southeast of Dhaka. The excavated buildings here were made wholly of baked bricks. There are more than 50 scattered Buddhist sites, but the three most important are Salban Vihara, Kotila Mura and Charpatra Mura. Salban Vihara was a well-planned, 170sq m (182sq ft) monastery facing a temple in the centre of the courtyard. Nearby is a museum housing the finds excavated here, which include terracotta plaques, bronze statues, a bronze casket, coins, jewellery and votive stupas embossed with Buddhist inscriptions. Kotila Mura comprises three large stupas representing Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, the 'Three Jewels of Buddhism'. The most important discovery at Charpatra Mura was four royal copperplate decrees, three belonging to Chandra rulers, the other to Sri Viradhara Deva, a later Hindu king.The 8th-century Somapuri Vihara at Paharpur was formerly the biggest Buddhist monastery south of the Himalaya. It is by far the most impressive archaeological site in Bangladesh, and covers some 11 hectares (27 acres).
The Sundarbans are the largest mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80 km (50 mi) into the Bangladeshi hinterland from the coast. The forests are not just mangrove swamps though; they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles that once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans cover an area of 38,500 sq km, of which about one-third is covered in water. Since 1966, the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. Ample reasons to tour the area. The park is also home to sea gypsy fishing families who catch fish using trained otters.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts have steep jungle hills, Buddhist tribal peoples and relatively low-density population. The tracts are about 60 km (37mi) east of Chittagong, and are an idyllic place to tour. The region comprises a mass of hills, ravines and cliffs covered with dense jungle, bamboo, creepers and shrubs, and has four main valleys formed by the Karnapuli, Feni, Shangu and Matamuhur rivers, making it one of the most scenic tourist destinations in Bangladesh.
Rangamati is a lush and verdant rural area belonging to the Chakma tribe open to visitors, as is Kaptai Lake. The lake, ringed by thick tropical and semi-evergreen forests with the thatched fishing villages located on the lakeshore are what make a visit special, on tours to Bangladesh.
Puthia has the largest number of historically important Hindu structures in Bangladesh. The most amazing of the village's monuments that you can tour is the Govinda Temple, erected between 1823 and 1895 by one of the maharanis of the Puthia estate. It's a large square structure crowned by a set of miniature ornamental towers. It's covered by incredibly intricate designs in terracotta depicting scenes from Hindu epics, giving the appearance of been draped by a huge red oriental carpet. The ornate Shiva Temple is an imposing and excellent example of the five-spire Hindu style of temple architecture common in northern India. The ornate temple has three tapering tiers topped by four spires. It is decorated with stone carvings and sculptural works. The village's 16-century Jagannath Temple another beautiful monument to tour. It is one of the finest examples of a hut-shaped temple: measuring only 5m (16ft) on each side; it features a single tapering tower that rises to a height of 10m (33ft). Its western facade is adorned with terracotta panels of geometric designs. It is one of the most fascinating tourist destinations in Bangladesh.
Martin Island is a small coral island about 10 km (6mi) southwest of the southern tip of the mainland with beaches fringed with coconut palms and bountiful marine life. There is nothing more strenuous to do here than soak up the rays, but it is a clean and peaceful place. It is possible to walk around the island in a day because it measures only 8 sq km (3 sq mi), shrinking to about 5 sq km (2 sq mi) during high tide. Most of island's 5,500 inhabitants live primarily from fishing, and between October and April fisher people from neighboring areas bring their catch to the island's temporary wholesale market, a picturesque sight, which you can see on tours to Bangladesh.
The northern most district of the country, offers a number of attractions to the visitors. The Ramsagar (great sea) lake with rest houses is a good picnic spot that you can tour. The spot has facilities for fishing and rowing in a serene and quiet green countryside atmosphere. Kantanagar temple, the most ornate among the late medieval temples of Bangladesh is situated near Dinajpur town. Maharaja Pran Nath built it in 1752 A.D. The Maharja's palace with relics of the past centuries and local museum are worth a visit on tours to Bangladesh.
A pleasant and picturesque drive of 64 km. from Chittagong brings you to a huge expanse of emerald and blue water ringed with tropical forest. It is the famous man-made Kaptai Lake (680 sq. km) formed by damming the Karnaphuli river.Only 3 km. from Kaptai along Chittagong Road, lies the ancient Chit Morong Buddhist temple having beautiful Buddhist Statues. Other places of interest that you can tour in the Hill Tract districts include Chandraghona, Khagrachari and Bandarban all in picturesque surroundings.
Kuakata, locally known as Sagar Kannya (Daughter of the Sea) is a rare scenic beauty spot on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh. It is 70 km from Patuakhali district headquarters and 320 km from Dhaka. Kuakata offers excellent combination of the picturesque natural beauty, sandy beach, blue sky, huge expanse of water of the Bay and evergreen forest. Gateway to the Sundarbans abode of the Royal Bengal Tigers Khulna is an industrial town and Divisional Headquarter.Some of the biggest Jute mills in the country are located here. Khulna is connected with Dhaka by road and boat and by air via Jessore. Accommodation and eating facilities are available for tourists on tours to Bangladesh.
Enjoy the unspoiled nature with all its charm and majesty at Mongla. Spending some time inside the forest can be a rare treat for the lovers of nature on their tour of Mongla.
Rajshahi has seen the most glorious period of Bengal's Paul dynasty. Connected with Dhaka by road, rail, river and air, Rajshahi is located on the bank of the Padma River and is an exciting place to tour. It is famous for pure silk, mango and lichi. Attractive silk products are cheaper. A visit to Varendra Research Museum at the heart of the city for rich archaeological finds would be most rewarding. There are also a number of ancient mosques, shrines and temples in and around Rajshahi, which make it a favorite among tourist destinations in Bangladesh
About 40 km. from Rajshahi by roads is Natore, an old seat of Maharajas with a beautiful palace now serving as the Uttara Ganabhaban (President's Official residence of the northern region). It was residence of the Dighapatiya Raj. It is situated amid well-kept grounds, surrounded by a fine moat. The buildings are modern. They include a well-equipped guesthouse, an imposing gateway and a fine garden decorated with statues of white marble.
Greater Mymensingh lies from the foot of the Garo Hills in the north down to the plains of Dhaka in the south. Along the northern frontier of the district there are many aboriginal tribes such as Garos, Hajongs and Kochis who are ethnically quite distinct from the people around them. Mymensingh has earned a notable position in Bengali literature as the birth place of rich folklores and folk songs.Visit the national park and game sanctuary at Madhupur about 160 km. from Dhaka. There are a number of reserve forests in the area with rest houses and picnic spots. World famous painter Zainul Abedin's Art Gallery at Mymensingh carries the boyhood memories of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Nestled in the picturesque Surma Valley amidst scenic tea plantations and lush green tropical forests, greater Sylhet is a prime attraction for all tourists visiting Bangladesh. Laying between the Khasia and the Jaintia hills on the north, and the Tripura hills on the south, Sylhet breaks the monotony of the flatness of this land by a multitude of terraced tea gardens, rolling countryside and the exotic flora and fauna. Here the thick tropical forests abound with many species of wildlife, spread their aroma around the typical hearth and homes of the Mainpuri Tribal maidens famous for their dance. A beautiful, winding pair of rivers Surma and the Kushiara fed by innumerable hill streams from the north and the south forms the Sylhet valley. The valley has good number of haors that are big natural depressions. During winter these haors are vast stretches of green land, but in the rainy season they turn into turbulent seas. These haors provide a sanctuary to the millions of migratory birds who fly from Siberia across the Himalayas to avoid the severe cold there.
About 80 km. from Sylhet town connected by road and rail, Srimangal, is known as the tea capital of Bangladesh. For miles and miles around, the visitor can see, the tea gardens spread like a green carpet over the plain land or on the sloping hills. A tour of the tea plantation in Sylhet is a memorable experience on tours to Bangladesh.
