The capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka with its exciting history and rich culture Known the world over as the city of mosques and muslin. It has attracted travellers from far and near through ages. It has history dating back to earliest time. But the exact date of its foundation is not known. However, according to recorded history it was founded in 1608 A.D. as the seat of the imperial Mughal Viceroy of Bengal.
Dhaka as the capital of Bangladesh has grown into a busy city of about seven million people with an area of about 815 sq. km 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. At Tongi Teigaon, Demra, Pagla, Kanchpur the industrial establishments turn-out 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, yatchs, 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.Some of the outstanding tourist attractions of Dhaka are:
GENERAL INFORMATION :Area : 815.85 Sq. kilometres (approx.)
Population : Seven million (approx.)
Climate : Tropical, with heavy rainfall and bright sunshine in the monsoon and warm for the greater part of the year. The winter months, from November to March, are however, most likeable, cool and pleasant.
Temperature: Max. Min.
Summer: 36.7°C 21.1°c
Winter: 31.7°C 10.5°c
Summer: 36.7°C 21.1°c
Winter: 31.7°C 10.5°c
Rainfall : 2540 mm annually.
Humidity : 80 percent (approx.)
Humidity : 80 percent (approx.)
National Memorial : Located at Savar, 35, km. from Dhaka city. The memorial designed by architect Moinul Hossein, is dedicated to the sacred memory of the millions of unknown martyrs of the 1971 war of liberation.
1857 Memorial (Bahadur Shah Park): Built to commemorate the martyrs of the first liberation war (1857-59) against British rule. It was here that the revolting sepoys and their civil compatriots mere publicly hanged
Bangabandhu Memorial Museum : The residence of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi Residential Area has been turned into a musuem. it contains rare collection of personal effects and photographs of his lifetime.
Banga Bhaban : Tourists can have a look (outside view only) of Banga Bhaban, the official residence of the president.Bara Katra: This building of grand scale, now almost in ruins, is one of the most important remains of the Mughal peirod in Dhaka. If is of the type of 'Katra' (enclosed quadrangle building) with a gigantic frontage towards the river Buriganga. It was built by Abul Qasim, Dewan of Shah Shuja in 1644 A.D. It served the purpose of a caravanserai.
Chota Katra: Situated about 200 yards east of Bara Katra, Chota Katra was built in 1663 A.D. by Nawab Shaista Khan. This is of similar plan and purpose as the Bara Katra but is smaller in size.
National Art Gallery : Situated in the Shilpakala Academy premises this has a representative collection of folk-art and painting by artists of Bangladesh.
National Assembly Complex : Sangsad Bhaban, the National Assembly Complex in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar designed by the famous architect Luis 1. Kahn has distinctive architectural features.
Suhrawardy Uddyan (Garden) : At a stone's thrown distance from Dhaka Sheraton Hotel is the Suhrawardy Uddyan, formerly known as the Race Course, the popular park of the city. It is here that the clarioncall for independence of Bangladesh was given by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the 7th March 1971 and curiously enough it is again here that the commander of the occupation forces surrendered on the 16th December 1971.
Baldha Garden : Baldha Garden has collection of rare plants and flowers.
Ramna Garden : Ramna park is a vast stretch of green ground surrounded by a serpentine lake.
Zoological Garden : Called Mirpur Zoo, it is situated at Mirpur 16 km NW of Dhaka, on 230 acres of land.
Botonical Garden: Built over an area of 205 acres of land at Mirpur just east of the Zoo. Objective of garden-botanical education, research, preservation of plants and some recreation.
National Park : Situated at Rajendrapur, 40 km due north of Dhaka, within Joydevpur Police Station in the magnificent Bhawal region of Dhaka-Trishal-Mymensingh highway, this is a vast (1,600 acres) national recreational forest, ideal for hose who love nature.
Curzon Hall : Beautiful architectural building named after Loard Curzon. It now houses the Science Faculty of Dhaka University.
High Court Building : Originally built as the residence of British Governor. it illustrate happy blend of European Mughal architecture.
Dhaka Zoo : Popularly known as Mirpur Zoo. Colourful and attractive collections of different local and foreign species of animals and birds including the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger are available here.
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Central Shahid Minar : Symbol of Bengali nationalism. This monument was built to commemorate the martyrs of the historic Language movement of 1952. Hundreds and thousands of people with floral wreaths and bouquet gather on 21 February every year to pay respect in a solemn atmosphere. Celebrations begin at zero hour of midnight.
Buddhist monastery : Kamalapur Buddhist Monastery.
National Poet's Graveyard : Revolutionary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam died on the 29 August 1978 and was buried here. The graveyard is adjacent to the Dhaka University Mosque.
Institute of Arts and Crafts : Situated in the picturesque surroundings of Shahbagh the Institute of Arts and Crafts has a representative collection of folk-art and paintings by artists of Bangladesh.
Picnic Spots : There are good picnic spots in the area around Savar and Mirzapur. Other beauty spots connected by road with Dhaka include Joydevpur, Sripur, Madhupur, Rajendrapur National Park, Chandra and Salna, all of which have rest-houses that can be used by tourists on request to the Forest Department.
Bangaldesh Parjatan Corporation owns two picnic spots with Bunglows at Chandra and Salna which can also be hired by tourists.
Bangaldesh Parjatan Corporation owns two picnic spots with Bunglows at Chandra and Salna which can also be hired by tourists.
Sightseeing Tours : Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation runs conducted sightseeing tours from its Tourist Information Centre at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel. The duration of the Dhaka City sightseeing tours is three hours approximately. The Corporation operates a number of other interesting sightseeing tours around the Dhaka City (Ph: 8119192). For the transit passengers the Corporation also runs special city sightseeing tours from from the Tourist Information Centre, Zia International Airport,
Ph: 880-2-8914416.
Ph: 880-2-8914416.
SHOPPING
Bangladesh is indeed a shopper’s paradise offering a rich variety of handicrafts at throw away prices, while the muslin of Dhaka is legendary, other products such as contemporary paintings, woodwork, different cotton material, i.e Jamdani saree, pure silk, jute products, brassware, traditional dolls, golden and silver jewelleries and leather goods also receive deep appreciation of the lovers of arts and crafts. In addition, Bangladesh is famous for Pink Pearl. For Jewelry and Handicraft, the best markets to shop around in Bangladesh are:
New Market, Dhaka.
Aarong at Mirpur Road, Gulshan, Uttara, Dhaka.
Bashundara City Shopping Complex, Dhaka.
Banarashi Pally at Mirpur-10, Dhaka.
Grameen Check at Mirpur-2, Dhaka.
Nipun at Mirpur Road, Dhaka.
Bangladesh Handloom & Fabric Promotion Display and sales centre at 7-9 Kawran Bazar, Dhaka.
Jatra at Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani.
Some DOs & DON’Ts to follow:
Aarong at Mirpur Road, Gulshan, Uttara, Dhaka.
Bashundara City Shopping Complex, Dhaka.
Banarashi Pally at Mirpur-10, Dhaka.
Grameen Check at Mirpur-2, Dhaka.
Nipun at Mirpur Road, Dhaka.
Bangladesh Handloom & Fabric Promotion Display and sales centre at 7-9 Kawran Bazar, Dhaka.
Jatra at Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani.
Some DOs & DON’Ts to follow:
Normal Western forms of address are accepted and used. Handshakes (except female) are customary.
Avoid travelling alone at night. Use a reliable vehicle.
In some mosques there are separate areas for women to pray.
Tipping is optional and is left to the discretion of the customer. Most hotels and restaurants include a service charge of 10 percent on the bill.
It is worthwhile to wear appropriate clothes, for women it is recommended to wear ‘Sarees’ or Shalwar Kameez’. For men they are recommended to wear pants and shirts. Modest dress should be worn when attending/visiting a sacred place.
Visitors are requested to store their valuables and passports in the hotel safety deposit boxes. It is advisable to be extra cautious when moving around in crowded areas/places as theft of cash is possible.
Ending
Avoid travelling alone at night. Use a reliable vehicle.
In some mosques there are separate areas for women to pray.
Tipping is optional and is left to the discretion of the customer. Most hotels and restaurants include a service charge of 10 percent on the bill.
It is worthwhile to wear appropriate clothes, for women it is recommended to wear ‘Sarees’ or Shalwar Kameez’. For men they are recommended to wear pants and shirts. Modest dress should be worn when attending/visiting a sacred place.
Visitors are requested to store their valuables and passports in the hotel safety deposit boxes. It is advisable to be extra cautious when moving around in crowded areas/places as theft of cash is possible.
Ending
The tourism resources of Bangladesh are immense. But they need to be sustainably developed for beneficial economic exploitation of the same. Tourism as a new field of economic activity can definitely contribute to the economic development of a country. The government of Bangladesh has given dew importance to the development of the tourism sector in the country.
Clubs : Dhaka Club, Dhaka, formed in 1851 in the name of Ramna Dhaka Club. Accom, Rest. & Bar, Swimming Pool, Indoor Games, Tennis, Squash Ph: 880-2- 8619180-4, 505800-4
Golf Club: Kurmitola, Temporary Membership for tourists available, Golf, Rest. & Bar. Ph: 880-2-605301
Australian Club: Rd. 83, Gulshan, Membership to all Australians and New Zeaianders, Swimming, Tennis, Squash, Volleybal,
Ph:880-2- 603775
Ph:880-2- 603775
American Club: Gulshan, Membership open to all Americans and their families, Swimming, Tennis, Squash, Volleyball, Basketball, Rest,
Ph: 880-2-8821025-27
Ph: 880-2-8821025-27
Swedish Club: Rd. 47, Gulshan, open to all Swedesh and their guests, Swimming, Squash, Tennis, Ph: 880-2-601043.
Netherlands, Recreation Cantre: Road 74, house 33, Gulshan 2, members must be Dutch, Swimming Tennis, Rest, Ph: 880-2-602039
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