Located in the South Asia by the crystal clear waters of the Bengal Bay, Bangladesh has wonderful, long golden-sand beaches great for water sports. Diverse in nature, Bangladesh hosts the largest mangrove forest in the world which is home to many endangered species. In addition, this small but populous country is rich in history and culture and has numerous beautiful Islamic mosques, Buddhist temples and fascinating indigenous tribal villages to explore. However, the unstable political situation in Bangladesh hinders the growth of tourism in the country.
Nature & indigenous cultures. A remarkable part of the Bangladeshi coast consists of the Sundarbans mangrove forest which is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area has a diverse and unique flora and fauna and is inhabited by many endangered species like the Bengal Tiger. Many tour operators in Dhaka organize safari tours to the Sundarbans mangrove forest that hosts great number of wildlife to see. Those visitors interested in meeting indigenous people in Bangladesh should also visit the Rangamati hill district outside the city of Chittagong.
Beaches & snorkeling. One of the most visited destinations in Bangladesh, Cox's Bazar has a long, sandy sea beach by the crystal clear waters of the Bay of Bengal. The beach offers excellent opportunities for sunbathing, surfing and other water sports activities. Many fascinating and beautiful Buddhist temples and indigenous Buddhist tribes can be found in the area around Cox's Bazar. A fishing port, Cox's Bazaar has many good restaurants with delicious seafood. If you're interested in diving or snorkeling, you can visit the nearby St.Martins Island that hosts the only coral reefs in Bangladesh.
The landscape in Bangladesh consists mainly of fertile flat plain, though there are some hilly areas in the southeast. Bangladesh is located on deltas of large rivers of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna, which empty into the Bay of Bengal. A popular form of transportation in Bangladesh is by boat via the numerous beautiful rivers that flow throughout the country. Traveling by boat offers a good chance to admire the scenery in Bangladesh.
Mosques, palaces, beaches and safaris in Bangladesh
A colourful and lively capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka is located in the central Bangladesh on the banks of the Buringanga River. The largest city in Bangladesh is rich in culture and history and has numerous interesting sites for sightseeing: beautiful mosques, palaces, museums, green parks and gardens attract visitors from all over the world. The city was a famous centre of muslin (cotton fabric) trade in the 17th century. The Old Dhaka in the southern end of the city is still an important port and has many historical sites. The historical town of Bagerhat hosts interesting Islamic shrines to visit.Nature & indigenous cultures. A remarkable part of the Bangladeshi coast consists of the Sundarbans mangrove forest which is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area has a diverse and unique flora and fauna and is inhabited by many endangered species like the Bengal Tiger. Many tour operators in Dhaka organize safari tours to the Sundarbans mangrove forest that hosts great number of wildlife to see. Those visitors interested in meeting indigenous people in Bangladesh should also visit the Rangamati hill district outside the city of Chittagong.
Beaches & snorkeling. One of the most visited destinations in Bangladesh, Cox's Bazar has a long, sandy sea beach by the crystal clear waters of the Bay of Bengal. The beach offers excellent opportunities for sunbathing, surfing and other water sports activities. Many fascinating and beautiful Buddhist temples and indigenous Buddhist tribes can be found in the area around Cox's Bazar. A fishing port, Cox's Bazaar has many good restaurants with delicious seafood. If you're interested in diving or snorkeling, you can visit the nearby St.Martins Island that hosts the only coral reefs in Bangladesh.
Practical information for your stay in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has a pleasant tropical climate with mild winters from October to March and humid and hot summers from March to June. The humid and warm rainy monsoon lasts from June to October. The annual floods often cause severe damage in Bangladesh. The best time to visit Bangladesh is in winter from October to February when the weather is a bit cooler and dry.The landscape in Bangladesh consists mainly of fertile flat plain, though there are some hilly areas in the southeast. Bangladesh is located on deltas of large rivers of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna, which empty into the Bay of Bengal. A popular form of transportation in Bangladesh is by boat via the numerous beautiful rivers that flow throughout the country. Traveling by boat offers a good chance to admire the scenery in Bangladesh.
Photo: mysticchildz, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
How to get there. Bangladesh has an international airport in Dhaka which serves many cheap international flights. Chittagong and Sylhet also receive international flights. You can also travel to Bangladesh by bus or car from India, and even some international train connections to Bangladesh exist.
Public transportation in Bangladesh is very affordable and there is an extensive network of roads in the country. However, the roads in Bangladesh are often narrow and congested, and buses are often quite crowded. Colourful rickshaws are a popular mode of transportation in the cities in Bangladesh. Driving in Bangladesh may seem chaotic for a visitor.
Safety & language. As the political and security situation in Bangladesh is unstable, tourists are advised to exercise common caution and avoid any political gatherings. Many educated people in Bangladesh speak English.
History and culture of Bangladesh
The area of Bangladesh has been inhabited at least for four thousand years by the Dravidian, Tibeto-Burman and Austro-Asiatic people. Once the cradle of Buddhism, Bangladesh still hosts many fascinating and architecturally significant Buddhist temples and indigenous Buddhist tribes. The area of Bangladesh was one of the wealthiest part in South Asia with rich cultural life. The area of Bangladesh was conquered by the British in the 16th century and the region was part of the British India until after the Second World War. Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971.The Bangladeshi culture is a mixture of old and new, and the country has a rich literary heritage with poets and folk literature. The musical tradition in Bangladesh is based on Bangla folk music. Women in Bangladesh often dress in Sari, a colourful cloth usually wrapped around the waist. Islam is the largest religion in Bangladesh and there are numerous significant mosques in the country. Baitul Mukarram is the national mosque located in the capital Dhaka. A Muslim country, there is actually no nightlife in Bangladesh, and alcohol is served only in some international bars and restaurants in the bigger cities.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Dhaka
