RIYADH, 26 March 2005 — Bangladesh as a vacation land has many facets. Her tourist attractions include archaeological sites, historic mosques and monuments, resorts, beaches, picnic spots, forest and wildlife. Bangladesh offers opportunities for angling, water-skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing, surfing, yachting and sea bathing as well as bringing one in close touch with Mother Nature. She is also rich in wildlife and game birds.
Bangladesh is situated in the northeastern part of south Asia. It lies between 20’ 34’ and 2e 36’ north latitude and 88’ I’ and 92’ 41’ east longitude. The great Himalayas stand as the northern ramparts, while the southern frontier is guarded by the Bay of Bengal. On the west lies the expansive Gangetic plains (West Bengal) of India and on the eastern frontier lies the almost impassable forest of Myanmar (Arakan Province) and India (Tripura and Assam hills). These picturesque geographical boundaries delineate a low lying plain of about 144,000 square kilometers criss-crossed by innumerable brooks, rivers, rivulets and streams. Mighty rivers the Padma, Jamuna, Meghna, Karnaphuli and others flow through Bangladesh. The unscalable blue is stretched high above, and the green and silvery landscape below runs far and beyond. This is Bangladesh, a fertile land where nature is bounteous.
Dhaka: The capital city and the gateway to Bangladesh for most international visitors, is a colorful and thriving metropolis of some 11.5 million people. Once famous the world over for its finest fabric muslin and unique pink pearls, Dhaka was founded in 1608 AD as the seat of the imperial Mogul viceroys of Bengal. Dhaka has been developing fast as a modern city having a perfect blend of old and new architecture. The exotic beauty of the skilled craftsmen gives a magnificent look to the city.
The city’s Zia International Airport has a full-scale international terminal, which is busy with traffic from Bangkok, Singapore, Moscow, Jeddah, Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Karachi, Calcutta, Delhi, London. Apart from the national carrier — Biman — Dhaka is served by a member of international Airlines. Biman links Dhaka with the major cities of the world.
It is only a short excursion from the city to the 13th century ruins of Sonargaon, one of the oldest capitals of Bengal. A folk arts and craft museum has been established there. The National Park at Madhupur, 40 km north of Dhaka, is an ideal spot for the visitors.
The National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar, 35 km from Dhaka is dedicated to the sacred memory of the millions of unknown martyrs of 1971 war of liberation, is quite an enchanting place. A twilight boat ride on the Buriganga River fills ones heart with joy and merriment.
Other Tourist attractions in and around Dhaka are:
Lalbagh Fort: Was built in 1678 AD by Prince Mohammad Azam, son of Mogul Emperor Aurangzeb. Outstanding monuments of the Lalbag Fort are the tomb of Pari Bibi, Lalbagh Mosque, audience hall and Hammamkhana (Bathing place) of Nawab Shaista Khan now housing a Museum, are worth seeing.
Baitul Mukarram Mosque: A magnificent central mosque.
National Museum: Established in 1913 AD which contains interesting collections of sculptures and paintings of the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim periods. It has rich collection of old coins, ivory and silver filigree works, textiles including the world famous muslin and embroidered quilt (Nakshi Kantha).
Parliament Building: A massive architectural complex at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, designed by the great architect Louis I. Kahn.
The Sonargaon Hotel of the Pan-Pacific chain and the Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka have comfortable accommodations for the tourists. There are also first class restaurants all around the city, which serve both national and international cuisine.
Chittagong: The commercial capital and the largest international seaport of the country is a unique place for the vacation lovers. Rich heritage and culture, the panorama of lush green hills and hillocks, gently flowing rivers and streams and the vicinity of the vast expanse of Bay of Bengal have featured Chittagong with many extraordinary characteristics and attractions. Port city Chittagong, known as beauty of the east, is now linked with outer world by air.
Chittagong has many attractions in and around it. Some of the prominent historic, archaeological and natural sites are:
Foy’s Lake: Set amidst panoramic surroundings, it is an ideal spot for outing and picnic and is thronged by thousands of visitors everyday. In the enchanting atmosphere of green hills and hillocks boat journey in transparent water of the lake and visiting zoo have become popular to the local and foreign visitors.
The Ethnological Museum: Chittagong ethnological museum is one of the two of its kind in whole Asia. Set up in 1965, this museum has large number of samples on life-style of 23 tribal communities of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Australia.
Sitakumda Botanical Garden and Eco-Park: Approximately 37 km far from Chittagong town toward Dhaka, a Botanical garden was set up over the Sitakunda Chandranath hill in 1999 and the eco-park was developed covering 996 acres of land. Sitakund is famous for Chandranath Hindu Temple — one of the oldest temples in the subcontinent.
Chittagong Hill Tracts: The three hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarbans and Khagrachari offer dazzling beautiful spots where nature has been least disturbed. It is the abode of 13 tribes each of which has its own dialect, distinctive dress, rites and rituals. Rangamati town, connected with Chittagong by a 77 km road, lies on the western bank of the Kaptai Lake. It is the largest “man made” lake spreading over 680 square kilometers of crystal water.
Cox’s Bazar: World’s longest sea beach with its 120 km of shark free coastline is the tourist capital of Bangladesh. Places and objects of interest in and around Cox’s Bazar include Ruma Buddhist Temple, Teknaf off shore islands, rubber plantations, tribal people, rare conch sheels etc. Located at a distance of 152 km South of Chittagong, it is connected with Dhaka and Chittagong by air and road. The Parjatan Holiday here offers a variety of accommodation ranging from its flagship the Shaibal Hotel with 22 AC double rooms and a La Carte restaurant, cottages and youth hostels. One may enjoy the Shaibal swimming pool or play around on the nine-hole golf course between the hotel and the sea.
Dulahazara Safari Park: Developed in Chakoria of Cox’s Bazar over 900 hectares of forest, it is a fantastic place to see the majestic Royal Bangal Tigers and the mighty lions in their abodes. Moreover, one may have the chance to see elephants, bears, crocodiles, shumber deer, peacocks and many other wild animals moving uninterfered in the park.
Sylhet: Nestled in the picturesque Surma Valley amidst scenic tea plantations and lush green tropical forests, it is a prime attraction for all tourists visiting Bangladesh. Lying between the Khasia and Jaintia hills on the north and the Tripura hills on the south, Sylhet breaks the monotony of the flatness of this land by a multitude of terraced tea gardens and the exotic flora and fauna.
The gentle breeze blowing through innumerable tea gardens spread aroma around the typical hearth and homes of the Monipuri tribal maidens famous for their dance. A visit to the tea plantation in Sylhet is pleasant and soothing for those bored with drudgery. Among the several places of historical interest in Sylhet town most prominent is the shrine of saint Hazrat Shah Jalal. Sylhet is connected by air, road and rail with Dhaka.
Sundarbans: The world’s largest mangrove forest and UNESCO designated World Heritage Sight is the home of the Royal Bengal Tigers lies along the coastal fringe of the southwestern part of Bangladesh. The second seaport of the country Mongla, is situated in the vicinity of Sundarbans.