On your first visit to Bangladesh, here is a list of the greatest locations to see in Dhaka City (both New and Old Dhaka) that you should not miss out on for a memorable experience.
Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, and it is home to a population of 16 million people, which is increasing by the day. With its dense population and plethora of activities, it is one of the most active cities on the planet, and it is also a photographer’s dream come true. If you like street photography or portrait photography, Dhaka is the place to go. You’ll have no trouble finding enough themes to keep you busy for many days.
Aside from being a great place for photography, Dhaka has many fascinating historical places to see from the Mughal and colonial eras. Here are some of the top locations to see in Dhaka City (both New and Old Dhaka) that you should not miss out on if this is your first time visiting the country of Bangladesh.
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Lalbag
Lalbag Fort is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dhaka City. The Lalbagh Fort, built in the 17th century by the Mughals, is one of Dhaka’s most popular tourist sites. The fort was begun by Prince Mohammed Azam and given over to Shaista Khan, the then governor of Dhaka, for completion; however, she was unable to complete it due to the death of her daughter Pari Bibi, whose grave is located inside the fort.
The building has a modest museum featuring Mughal art and calligraphy, as well as swords and weaponry, on the first and second floors.
Ahsan Manzil
Visiting Ahsan Manzil (Pink House) is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Dhaka City. During British administration, Ahsan Manzil, popularly known as the Pink Palace, was the house of the richest family in Dhaka, the Ahsan family.
Ahsan Manzil, which dates back to 1872 and was erected on the site of an ancient French factory, was constructed by Nawab Abdul Gani, the city’s richest feudal landowner. Approximately 16 years after its construction, it was severely destroyed by a tornado, and it was repaired with significant changes, becoming much larger than before. Ahsan Manzil is one of the most popular tourist sites in Dhaka City, and it is a must-see on each visitor’s first trip there.
Dhaka Shipyard
A visit to the Dhaka Shipyard is one of the top things to do in Dhaka City if you like photography. Dhaka Shipyard, which is located on the banks of the river Buriganga, is a bustling area where passenger ferries and cargo boats for the rivers are repaired and, on occasion, new vessels are built. Passenger ferries from Sadarghat come here for routine maintenance and repairs on a regular basis.
Workers are here from dawn to dark, hammering fresh paint into the boats and scrubbing old paint off of the vessels. Endless workshops continue to manufacture massive propellers for the boats, which are continually melting. Dhaka Shipyard is one of the top sites to visit in Dhaka City, and it is one that you should not miss out on since it is jam-packed with activities.
Dhaka Sadarghat
In Dhaka City, Sadarghat is one of the most important spots to visit if you want to take photographs. In addition to the Sadarghat River Port and several other minor ports, Sadarghat is the busiest waterfront in Dhaka City. Sadarghat River Port is one of the biggest river ports in Asia, with around 30,000 people traveling through it each day.
Small wooden rowing boats ferry people across the river, as well as large passenger ferries and commercial vessels. The riverbank is bustling with activity. By visiting this lively and dynamic location, you will be able to get a true experience of Dhaka. Sadarghat is a must-see tourist site in Dhaka that you just must not miss out on.
Mridha Mosque
Mosque Khan Mohammad Mridha. This Mughal edifice, constructed on a raised platform and accessed by a flight of 25 steps, was completed in 1704-5 and is aesthetically comparable to Lalbag Fort in Delhi. There are three little domes with pointed minarets at each corner of the rectangular roof that dominate it. Throughout the bottom level, there are a number of domed chambers that were formerly utilized for living quarters.
A gorgeous piece of architecture, Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque is located approximately a half-mile from Lalbagh Fort and is one of the most important destinations to visit in Dhaka City.
Armenian Church
The Armenian Church is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in Dhaka, and it is open to the public. In Old Dhaka, the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection can be found in Armanitola, which was called after the Armenian community that arrived there in the late seventeenth century.
The church serves as the lifeblood of this now almost extinct town. It was built in 1781 and is a haven of peace in the midst of a bustling metropolis. It is a must-see tourist attraction in Dhaka and dates back to that year.
Dhakeshwari
Temple of Dhakeshwari. Dhakeshwari Temple is a 500-year-old Hindu temple in Dhakeshwar, India, that was built by one Mangat Ray, also known as Ballalasena, who was the younger brother of Arakanese king Shri Sudharma, who was the son of famous Arakanese king Raja Malhana alias Husen Shah. Dhakeshwari Temple is a state-owned Hindu temple in Dhakeshwar, India This is the religious and cultural heart of the Hindu community in Dhaka City.
It is common to see devotees arriving here in bright sarees, ringing the bell on the entrance as they enter the temple, and participating in a variety of activities. Every major Hindu holiday in Dhaka begins and ends here, so you’ll always be in the midst of a celebratory atmosphere when you visit. The Dhakeshwari Temple is one of the most important tourist attractions in Dhaka.
Shakhari Bazar
Shakhari Bazar is a market in the city of Shakhari (Hindu Street). Shakhari Bazar, also called as the Hindu Street, is a one-of-a-kind street in Dhaka City that serves as the heart of Hindu culture and community in Old Dhaka. It is located in the heart of the city’s historic district.
Old buildings are built on both sides of the street, and they are crammed with jewelry stores, local musical instrument businesses, Hindu wedding shops, kite shops, culinary shops, temples, rickshaws, and individuals. Shakhari Bazar, a lively and bustling street in the heart of Old Dhaka, is one of the most interesting sites to visit in the city.
Kawran Bazar
Kawran Bazar is one of the greatest spots to visit in Dhaka if you want to do some photography there. Kawran Bazar is the biggest wholesale market in Dhaka and is located on the outskirts of the city. It is a hive of activity and a photographer’s dream come true.
Trading here begins at midnight and concludes about 8.30 a.m., Monday through Friday. The permanent stores on the market, on the other hand, will stay open throughout the day. In Dhaka, Kawran Bazar is a must-see tourist destination, especially for those who like taking photographs.
Star Mosque
The Star Mosque is one of the most important attractions to see in Dhaka City. The Star Mosque, which dates back to the early 18th century and is one of Dhaka’s most famous tourist attractions, is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.
The whole inside of the mosque is adorned with mosaic stars, which is where the name comes from. Built in the classic Mughal architecture, with four corner towers, it was subsequently significantly changed in the process of renovations.
Parliament Building
The Parliament Building is a must-see tourist site in Dhaka if you are interested in architecture. Designed by world-renowned American architect and Yale University Professor Louis I. Kahn, the Parliament Building of Bangladesh is his best architectural achievement.
After the Partition of India’s Subcontinent, the Pakistanis commissioned the construction of the Bangladesh National Assembly Building, which was intended to serve as the country’s second house of parliament. Construction began in 1964 but was interrupted owing to the Bangladeshi War of Independence.
It was ultimately finished in 1982 after a decade-long delay. If you are a fan of architecture, this is one of the two must-see tourist sites in Dhaka that you should not miss.