The country is divided into five administrative areas: Dhaka (North Central); Rajshahi (Northwest); Khulna (Southwest); Barisal (South); and Chittagong (Southeast). Formerly, ‘Dhaka’ was spelt ‘Dacca’.
Dhaka (North) Dhaka, the historic city and capital of Bangladesh, lies on the Buriganga River. The river connects the city with all major inland ports in the country, contributing to its trade and commerce, as it has done for centuries. The old part of the city, to the south of the center and on the banks of the river, is dominated both by the commercial
bustle of the waterfront and several old buildings. These include the uncompleted 17th-century Lalbagh Fort, the stately Ahsan Manzil palace and museum (sometimes referred to as the pink palace), the Chotta Katra and a large number of mosques. To the north of this region is the European quarter (also known as British City), which contains the Banga Bhavan, the presidential palace, several parks, the Dhakeswari Temple and the National Museum. It is worth noting the Dharmarajika Buddhist Monastery near Central Railway Station at Kamalapur (established in 1962), which enshrines the thousand-year-old black stone Buddha. The Zoo and Botanical Gardens are a bus or taxi ride into the suburbs. The waterfront has two main water transport terminals at Sadarghat and Badam Tali, located on the Buckland Road Bund. The famous ‘Rocket’ ferries dock here and boats can also be hired. There are many buildings of interest along the river and in the old part of the city. The Khan Mohammed Mirdha Mosque and the Mausoleum of Pari Bibi are worth a visit, as are the Baldha Gardens with their collection of rare plants. There are dozens of mosques and bazaars to visit – the Kashaitully Mosque is especially beautiful. The modern part of the city comprises the diplomatic and commercial regions and is to be found further north in areas such as Motijheel and Gulshan. City tours of Dhaka and its environs are available: contact the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation for further information.
Excursions Sonargaon, about 30km (20 miles) east of Dhaka, was the capital of the region between the 13th and early 17th centuries and retains a number of historical relics of interest, although many of these are now in ruins. The Rajendrapur National Park, about 50km (30 miles) north of the capital, is noted for its varied birdlife. Northwest of Dhaka is Dhamrai which contains several Hindu temples. Further north still is Mymensingh, at the center of a region famous for its supply of high-quality jute. The Madhupur National Park and Game Sanctuary is situated about 160km (99 miles) from Dhaka. North of Dhaka is Sylhet, known as ‘the land of two leaves and a bud’ because of its long renown as a tea-growing area. Srimongol is the main center of the Sylhet tea gardens. Nearby Madhabkunda is noted for panoramic scenery and enchanting waterfalls. Around 43km (27 miles) from Sylhet are the ruins of Jaintiapur, once the capital of an ancient kingdom. Tamabil is a border outpost on Sylhet–Shilong Road. There are excellent views of the surrounding area, including some spectacular waterfalls across the Indian border. Zaflong is a scenic spot nearby, set amidst tea gardens and beautiful hills.
Rajshahi (Northwest) Rajshahi Division, in the northwest of the country, is often ignored by tourists, but it contains a large number of archaeological sites. The most important of these are at Paharpur, where the vast Buddhist monastery of Somapuri Vihara and the Satyapir Vita temple are located; there is also a museum. Other places of interest in the region include the ancient Hindu settlement of Sherpur, near Bogra; Mahastanagar, also near Bogra, which dates back to the third century BC; Vasu Vihara, 14km (9 miles) to the northwest, the site of an ancient but now ruined monastery; Rajshahi, on the Ganges, which has a museum displaying many of the archaeological relics of the area; and Gaur, very close to the border with the Indian state of West Bengal, which contains a number of old mosques. Bogra is a useful base for visiting the archaeological sites of Paharpur, Mahastanagar and Sherpur, although not intrinsically interesting itself. The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (NTO) offers package tours to these sites.
Khulna (Southwest) Khulna Division is principally marshland and jungle. The city of the same name is the administrative capital of the division and is mainly a commercial center, particularly for river traffic. The principal place of interest in this area of the country is the Sundarbans National Park, a supreme example of lush coastal vegetation and the variety of wildlife which it can support. The most famous inhabitants of this region are the Royal Bengal tigers, but spotted deer, monkeys and a great variety of birds are also to be found here. Not surprising, considering this area boasts the largest mangrove forest in the world. Tours (usually for 10 people or more) are organized by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation during the winter; otherwise, boats can be hired from Khulna or Mongla, which is the main port for the Khulna region. Accommodation is available at Heron Point. Other places of interest include the mosque of Sat Gumbad, and the town of Bagerhat (home of Khan Jahan Ali, a well-known Sufi mystic). Kuakata is a newly developed tourist resort for those in pursuit of beaches. Here, visitors can also observe the traditions and unique lifestyle of the Rakhane tribes. In this region also stands a 70ft-Buddhist statue.
Barisal (South) Barisal is the administrative center of the division of the same name. Situated in an area dissected by rivers, it is the most important river port in the south of the country. Just 10km (6 miles) outside Barisal, at Madubashah, is a lake and bird sanctuary. Kuakata is the most outstanding tourist attraction. It is a scenic beauty spot on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh in the district of Patuakhali and has a wide sandy beach which is an ideal vantage point to watch the sun rise and set. Other attractions include two pre-Moghul mosques: one, which boasts nine domes, is situated at the village of Qasba Guarnadi, and the other, built in 1464, is near Patuakhali.
Chittagong (Southeast) Chittagong, the second-largest city in the country, is the principal city of the southeastern administrative division of Bangladesh. It is a thriving port set amid lovely natural surroundings studded with green-clad knolls, coconut palms, mosques and minarets, against the background of the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. The Old City retains many echoes of past European settlements, mainly by the Portuguese, as well as many mosques. These include the 17th-century Shahi Jama-e-Masjid – which closely resembles a fort – set astride a hilltop, and the earlier Qadam Mubarek Mosque. The Chilla of Bada Shah stands to the west of Bakshirhat in the old city. The higher ground to the northwest was, in due course, settled by the British, and this is now where most of the city’s commercial activity is conducted. The Dargah of Sah Amanat is a holy shrine located in the heart of the town.
Excursions Approximately 8km (5 miles) from Chittagong is the picturesque Foy’s Lake in the railway township of Pahartali. The Tomb of Sultan Bayazid Bostami, a holy shrine situated on a hillock in Nasirabad, is situated 6km (4 miles) to the northwest of the town. At its base is a large tank with several hundred tortoises, supposedly the descendants of evil spirits. Northeast of Chittagong is Rangamati, a place of scenic beauty and unspoiled tribal life. It is perched on the bank of the humanmade Kaptai Lake. Sitakund, 37km from Chittagong, features famous temples, including Chandranath and Buddhist temples, a hot spring and the supposed footprint of Lord Buddha. In February, there is often an annual pilgrimage to this spot and lasts about 10 days. In the extreme south of Bangladesh is Cox’s Bazar, a thriving regional tourist center and beach resort, with a mixed population of Bengali and Burmese origin. The town has many thriving cottage industries for weaving and cigar making. This is also where the world’s longest and broadest beach, Inani Beach, can be found; it is 120km (75 miles) long and 55m (180ft) to 90m (300ft) broad (depending on the tide). It has not, however, been fully developed for tourism. The main tourist beach is Patenga, which is also broad and long. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation offers excellent accommodation and catering facilities (see General Info section).
The iExplore Community offers travel guides to thousands of destinations, first-hand travel reviews and vacation pictures from everyday travelers like you.
