Tourist Places in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is located in the northeast part of the South, filled with ancient archaeological sites, medieval temples, monasteries, mosques, churches, and natural beauty such as remarkable rivers, biodiversity, beaches, and mountains. The powerful Himalayas could be traced to the north and the Bay of Bengal in the South of Bangladesh. The huge Sunderban Delta has numerous waterways routes and is surrounded by lush greenery. Bangladesh is gifted with rivers like Meghna, Jamuna, and the Padma (Ganga), and these rivers make the land of Bangladesh more fertile and productive. Bangladesh receives a huge amount of Monsoon that relieves its people from scorching heat and makes the weather pleasant throughout the year.
The country has been positioned seventh in the “top ten best value” tourist destinations in 2019 by Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet is a travel guidebook publisher. Bangladesh is a buzzing hotspot for eco-tourism with natural wonders and diverse beauty.
Bangladesh was born out of the 1971war. Earlier it was part of Pakistan and was called East Pakistan. Dhaka is Bangladesh’s National Capital. The people make the country beautiful, exciting, magnificent, and wonderful. There are lots of serene places in Bangladesh that will soothe your mind from tense life. Here are major tourist attractions in Bangladesh.
1. Rajshahi
It is a sprawling city situated on Padma’s river’s plains that is enclosed on the east, west, and north by Paba Upazila. It is located near the India- Bangladesh Border, and towns like Nowhata and Kathakali surround it. The city is filled with turreted castles, lush green spaces, picturesque gardens, and colourful buildings. Tourist is captivated by seeing terrific cultural institutions, marvellous architecture, and thin cobblestone streets.
2. Varendra Research Museum, Mahasthangarh Museum, Hardinge Bridge and Puthia Temple Complex
- Varendra Research Museum: It stores architectural exhibits and valuable artefacts.
- Mahasthangarh Museum: It contains the city’s rich history. It is situated at the Mahasthangarh of Shibganj of Bogra.
- Hardinge Bridge: It is built on the Padma River and will connect you to the Buddhist Bihar and Paharpur.
- Puthia Temple Complex: It is a huge Annik Temple, and if you are a spiritual enthusiast, you should not miss this.
3. Cox’s Bazaar
Cox Bazaar is covered with bustling jetties and salty fishing skiffs. The city is popular for its port, fishing, and tourism. It is situated on the Southeast coast of Bangladesh. It is also called a Panowa, and the literal meaning is “Yellow Flower”. Cox’s Bazaar name was taken from the British East India Company official called Hiram Cox. Cox was Superintendent of the Palongkee outpost.
4. Himachari National Park
The Government of Bangladesh founded the Himchari National Park in 1980 as a conservation place for recreation, education, and research. It is situated in the South of the Cox’s bazaar town and houses grasslands and trees, numerous waterfalls, lush tropical rainforests, and sun-drenched beaches. A limited number of mammals could be found here. At a point some time, it was famous for being the stomping ground of Asian elephants.
5. Aggmeda Khyang
Aggmeda Khyang is situated in Cox’s Bazaar town. It is a huge Buddhist Monastery, and the place is filled with around 4,00,000 Buddhist people. The monastery houses a prayer chamber and an assembly hall and has numerable ancient manuscripts and a large repository of small and big bronze Buddha images.
6. Ramu
It is 10 kilometres far from Cox’s Bazaar. It is a village with a small chunk of Buddhist population. It is filled with khyangs, monasteries, and pagodas containing Buddha images. It sells homemade cigars and artistic handicrafts. Temple situated on Baghkhali River’s bank has Burmese handicrafts and relics and a huge bronze statue of Buddha (13 feet high) standing on a six-foot-high pedestal.
7. Sunderban Mangrove Forests
Sunderban Mangrove Forest is the largest mangrove forest globally, and UNESCO has accorded it a World Heritage site. It is situated between two countries: India and Bangladesh. It houses the majority of forests and is home to numerous animals, especially Bengal Tigers. It gives a soothing and tranquillizing environment to the visitor. The place is very popular for the large varieties of flora and fauna.
8. Cox’s Bazaar Beach
Tourists prefer Laboni beach as it is near to the city. It is the prime attraction of Cox’s Bazaar town. It is also called as “longest natural unbroken sea beach” because it has a 150km unbroken length. You could find 5 -star and 3-star hotels that will provide you with an exclusive look at the beachside area.
9. Chittagong Hill Tracks
Hills have always fascinated the tourists, and it is located in the Chittagong division in Southeastern Bangladesh. Many tribals live there, and it will present a serene green view to the visitor. Chittagong Hill tracks is an ideal place to undertake an adventurous tour. Before that, you should have consent from the local authority. The deep forests, lakes, mountainous, rugged terrain, and falls give distinct features from the rest of the country.
10. Srimagal
The place is named after two people, Mangal Das and Sri Das. Srimagal is Bangladesh’s Tea Capital, and it is present in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. It is part of the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh. Here the visitor can explore the lush green fields and offers a calm environment. Places you can explore here are Hamham Waterfalls and Lawachhara National Park. Madhopur Lake and Great White-Bellied Heron are prime tourist attractions.
11. Rangamati
The town is situated on the west bank of Kaptai Lake. It acts as the administrative headquarter of Rangamati Hill District. It is a popular destination due to its landscape, lake, scenic beauty, and indigenous tribe like Pangkhua, Chakma, Marma, Tripuri, and Tanchangya. It is enclosed with natural beauties like waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and mountains. Major popular attractions are Kaptai Lake and Sajek Valley.
12. Somapura Mahavihara
Somapura Mahavihara is a Buddhist Monastery and is a significant archaeological site in Paharpur. It was constructed during Pala’s reign in ancient Bengal. It is quadrangular in shape and has elaborate entrances to the vihara located on the complex’s northern side. It is built on the lines of Buddhist architecture. It is significant to all three major religions: Jains, Buddhists, and Hindus.
13. Lalbag Fort
It is yet another popular historical place in Bangladesh. It is located in front of the River Buriganga in Dhaka’s southwestern part. The Mughal Subahdar Muhammad Azam Shah constructed it in 1678. The fort is built using the Mughal architectural style. Muhammad Azam Shah was the son of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb
14. Star Mosque
It is also known as Tara Masjid and is situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is constructed in Islamic architecture style. It has four minarets and five domes. It was constructed by Mirza Ghulam in the 18th Century. It has ornate designs, and motifs of blue stars are being used for the decorations. It is the prime attraction in Dhaka. People here come for regular praying.
15. Bisanakandi
Located at the Sylhet- Bangladesh border in Sylhet. It is also known as Bichnakandi, a rural area situated in Rustompur Union, Sylhet district. The name is made up of two words and is taken from the Bengali language: Bichhana, which means bed, and Kandi means cluster or dam. It is natural heaven surrounded by stones and hills. It has natural rocks that come along with streams from the hills.
16. Ahsan Manzil
It was the official residence of Nawab of Dhaka. It is located at Kumartoli on the banks of River Buriganga in the country’s capital Dhaka. The construction began in 1859 and finished in 1872. It is built on Indo-Saracenic architecture. It has accorded with the National Museum. Currently, it is owned by the Bangladesh National Museum. The Museum houses 23 galleries exhibiting historical materials to the visitors.
17. Ratatgul Swamp Forest
It is a few swamp forests situated in the Gawain River at Sylhet. The forest is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Forestry, Bangladesh Government. Most of the tourists arrive during the time of the Monsoon. Before entering the forest, one has to obtain consent from the local authority. Tourists prefer hiring a local to cross swamp forests. You will be thrilled to see birds, insects, eagles, monkeys and fishes.
18. Jaflong
It is present at the India- Bangladesh border, and it is beautiful. It is a tourist hill station shadowed by rainforests and subtropical mountains. The place is home to the Khasi tribe and is popular for its stone collections. Major attractions present in the place are:
- Colourful tribal life
- Tea Garden
- Jackfruit and Orange Gardens
- Dawki Bazaar
19. Inani Beach
It is a remarkable beach known for its adorable corals and which turns green during the rainy and summer season. It is an 18km long beach situated in Cox’s Bazaar. The beach consists of numerous coral stones that are very sharp. Tourists gather here and prefer to take snapshots. You can glance at adoring snails, sea fish, and snails here. Hills give a soothing view to the tourist and relax their mind from their day to day tension.
20. Malnicherra Tea Garden
Malnicherra Tea garden attracts thousands of national and international tourists each day. It is an ancient and largest garden present in the subcontinent. This tea estate was founded on 1500 acres of land by Lord Hurdson in 1849. It is situated near the Sylhet International Airport. The estate has been under Private supervision. It is advisable to take general consent from the local authority to avoid complications.
21. Shah Jalal Dargah
It is situated in Sylhet, Bangladesh, and it is the burial site of the Muslim saint Shah Jalal. It was built in the 1500 century, and the structure has gone through many alterations and additions after its construction. It has a special place in the people’s hearts, and the site is respected, cutting across religious lines. Pigeons residing in the mosque have a special name called Jalali Pigeons. Numerous tourists visit the place and make their journey memorable.
22. Patenga Sea Beach
It is a sea beach of the Bay of Bengal, and it is an immensely popular beach in Bangladesh and is situated close to the mouth of the River Karnaphuli. Tourists can enjoy the boat and water drive at the location. Entertainment facilities are also available like Kites, bike riding, and horse riding. Bangladesh Naval Academy and Shah Amanat International Airport are also situated near the beach.
23. Sajek Valley
It is one of the prime tourist destinations in Bangladesh. It is located in the hills of the Kasalong range in Sajek Union, Rangamati District. The name has been derived from the Sajek River, which comes from the Karnafuli River. The valley is surrounded by striking natural features like grassland hill tracks, mountains, dense forests and small rivers. Women are engaged in economic activities, and they dominate tea stalls, roadside marketplaces and food joints.
24. Nijhum Island
It is a tiny island located in the Noakhali District. Sometimes it was called Golden Island, Baluar Char and Char Osmani. Mangrove Forest developed by the Forest Department, Government of Bangladesh, is the prime attraction on the Island. It has 5000 spotted deer and plant tree species Keora. The Government of Bangladesh announced the forested area as Nijhum Dwip National Park in 2001.
25. Mahasthan Garh
It is the earliest urban archaeological excavated in Bangladesh. It is present in the Rajshahi division of Bangladesh. It exhibits the glorious history of Pundranagar. Many historical sites are present in the interior of the rampart wall, including a temple site, a mausoleum of Shah Sultan Mahisawar, and an ancient well. Places you can visit here are Bangla French Exploration, Mankalir Dhap, Gokul Medh, Gobinda Vita, Bairagir Vita, and Khulnar Dhap.
26. Saat Gambuj Mosque
It is located on the outskirts of Dhaka in the Mohammadpur area. It is a terrific example of the Mughal style of architecture that was built during the 17th Century. The mosque houses 81 domes that include 7 domes present on the central corridor, 70 domes in the prayer hall, and 4 domes on the corner tower. Governor Shaista Khan constructed the dome and the prayer hall.