International
Dhaka
A heady blend of ancient and modern on almost every corner, friendly locals, and a wealth of historical monuments - there are lots of great reasons to plan your trip to Dhaka.
Below are the top reasons to visit Dhaka:
1. Explore Ahsan Manzil
Located in the capital city of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, the building was built by the French in the last years of the 19th century. This palace has served as the official residence of the Nawab family for many years and now serves as a national museum. Moreover, it is at the beginning of the most visited historical buildings in the country. Be sure to visit this pink building on the banks of the Buriganga River.
2. Visit Old Dhaka
The best place to begin a tour of the city is to start from the heart of Dhaka – Old Dhaka. The area is filled with beautiful, ancient architecture that is absolutely Insta-worthy! Ahsan Manzil is the residence and seat of former Nawabs from the late 1800s. The place is now a museum that holds centuries-old artifacts from that era. You can also visit the Lalbagh Fort, an unfinished fort from the Mughal era, which sits on the bank of the Buriganga River. The area contains the fort, the residence of the governor called Diwan-i-Aam, and the tomb of Bibi Pari.
3. Visit the Star Mosque (Tara Masjid) and Armenian Church
Regardless of your religious beliefs, you should definitely visit both the Star Mosque and Armenian Church, located in Armanitola, Old Dhaka. Built during the Mughal period, the Star Mosque remains one of the most magnificent mosques in the country. The design is dominated by exclusive blue stars made of mosaic, hence its name. The Armenian Church is another beauty to behold. This two-storied church stands as proof of the existence of the Armenian society in the country in the 1700s and 1800s. Mother Teresa visited Bangladesh in 1996 and stayed in the church, thus massively increasing its popularity, with people visiting from all over the world. The church is seven hundred and fifty feet tall and boasts great architectural significance in Dhaka.
4. Lalbagh Fort
Located in the east of Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, this fortress was founded in 1677 by Bengal prime Mohammad Azam Shah. The construction of this castle is never finished and all princes who try to build it are dead. For this reason, it is known as an ungodly castle. Today, this castle is on the Unesco World Heritage list. In front of the castle, there is a wonderful garden in Babulian style. Within the boundaries of the castle is the Tomb of Bibi Pari, Lalbagh Mosque and Shaista Khan Museum. In addition, the country has become the biggest castle feature.
5. Try Street Food at Chawkbazar
Chawkbazar has traditionally been the epicenter of all delicious street food in Dhaka, dating back to the origin of the city. It becomes a street food market during Ramadan, and millions of Bangladeshis buy Iftaar (food to break the fast in the evening) from this market during the holy month. But don’t be daunted if you are not visiting Dhaka during months other than Ramadan, as Chawkbazar prepares and sells scrumptious street food all year round.
Dhaka is the ideal place on which to base any trip to Bangladesh. There is so much to see and do in the city, while many excursions and transport to see other beautiful places in Bangladesh run from Dhaka. Immerse in history. Soak up the culture. And try plenty of rich and delicious Bangladeshi food. Dhaka has adventure, culture, and beauty in spades, and is a great place to experience Bangladesh.