1. DHAKA
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh;
it has attracted traveler from distant and closer throughout in all the
ages. It has a history dating back to earliest time. But the correct
date of its foundation is not known. However, according to recorded
history it was founded in 1608 A.D. as the seat of the imperial Mughal
Viceroy of Bengal. Dhaka as the capital of Bangladesh has grown into a
busy city of about seven million citizens with an area of about 815 sq.
km. Having a happy amalgamation of old and new architectural trends,
Dhaka has been developing fast as a modern city and is throbbing with
activities in all spheres of life. It is the centre of industrial
commercial, cultural, educational and political activities for
Bangladesh. At Tongi, Tejgaon, Demra, Pagla, kanchpur, the industrial
establishments turn - out daily necessities. Motijheel is the main
commercial area of the city. Dhaka's major waterfront Sadarghat is on
the bank of the river Buriganga and is crowded with all kinds of river
craft, batches, country boats, motor launches, paddle-steamers,
fishermen's boats all bustling with activity.
2. CHITTAGONG - GATEWAY TO THE BAY OF BENGAL
With
a picturesque neighborhood of large hill forests and lakes. Chittagong
is a good vacation spot. It is the second largest city of Bangladesh and
a busy of Bangladesh and a busy international sea port. Its green hills
and forests, broad sabulous beaches and fine cool climate all the time
attract holiday makers. It combines the hump of an unquiet seaport with
the pleasure of a charming hill town with its undulating topography.
Chittagong is the country's chief port and is the main site for the
organization of heavy, medium and light industries. Bangladesh's only
steel mill and oil factory are also located here. Chittagong is joined
with Dhaka by rail, road, air and water. It is also linked with Cox's
Bazaar and Calcutta by Air.
3. RANGAMATI - THE HEART OF THE LAKE DISTRICT
Road
amid green fields and zigzag hills will take you to Rangamati, the
headquarters of Rangamati Hill District which is a wonderful depository
of scenic splendours with flora and fauna of different descriptions. The
township is located on the western bank of the Kaptai Lake. Rangamati
is a favorite holiday resort because of its attractive landscape, scenic
beauty, lake, colourful tribes (Chakma, Marma etc.) its flora and
fauna, tribal museum, hanging bridge, homespun textile products, ivory
jewellery and the tribal men and women who fashion them. For tourists
the attraction
of Rangamati are many, tribal life, fishing, speed boat cruising, water
skiing, hiking, bathing or just enjoying nature as it is. Bangladesh
Parjatan Corporation provides suitable hotel and cottage lodging,
catering, speed boat and other facilities at Rangamati. Day long
attractive sightseeing is organized in Cox'sbazar by TRAVEL BANGLADESH
(TRAVELBD) during tourist season.
4. KAPTAI
A
pleasant and picturesque drive of 64 km. from Chitagong brings you to
tremendous vastness of emerald and blue water ringed with hot forest. It
is the famous man prepared Kaptai lake (680 sq. km) formed by damming
the Kamaphuli river. Only 3 km. from Kaptai along Chittagong Road, lies
the ancient Chit Morong Buddist temple having attractive Buddist
statues. Other places of interest in the Hill Tract districts include
Chandraghone, Khagrachari and Bandarban all in picturesque surrounding.
5. SYLHET - LAND OF TWO LEAVES AND A BUD
Nestled
in the picturesque Surma valley amidst beautiful tea plantations and
lush green tropical forest, it is a prime attraction for all tourists.
Its terraced tea gardens, eye catching orange groves and pineapple
plantations and hills covered with hot forests form an attractive
landscape. The Sylhet vale has a good number of haors which are big
natural wetlands. During winter these haors are vast stretches of green
land, but in the rainy season they turn into a turbulent sea. These
haors provide sanctum to the million of migratory birds who fly from
Siberia across the Himalayas to avoid the severe cold. Srimangal in
Sylhet, known as the tea capital of Bangladesh, is the main tea centre
of the area. For miles and miles around, the visitor can see the tea
grounds spread like green rug over the plain land or on the sloping
hills. A visit to the tea agricultural estate in Sythet is a memorable
experience Sylhet the tea granary of Bangladesh , not only has over 150
tea gardens but also proudly possesses the tree largest tea gardens in
the world both in area and manufacture. Sylhet is also known as the
ground of the famous Muslim saint Hazrat Shah Halal the great torch
bearer of Islam to the region.
6. SUNDARBANS - HOME OF THE ROYAL BENGAL TIGER & MANGROVE FOREST
Placed
near Khulna about 320 Km. west of Dhaka. Here in the south, diffuse
over an area of about 6000 sq. km. of deltaic swamps along the coastal
belt of Khulna is the biggest mangrove forest, Sundarbans (attractive forest)-
the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. Its compact rain forests are criss
crossed by a network of rivers and creeks. One finds here tides flowing
in two directions in the same creek and often tigers swimming across a
river or huge crocodiles basking in the sun. Other wildlife in this
region is cheetahs, spotted dears, moneys, pythons, wild bears and
hyenas. The forest is reachable by river from Khulna and Mongla. There
are relaxing houses for the guests to stay and enjoy the pure nature
with all its charm and majesty.
7. KUAKATA
A rare scenic attractiveness
places on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh in the district of
Patuakhali. It has a large sabulous beach from where one can get the
unique opportunity of seeing both the sunup and sun setting. It is
situated at a distance of 70 km, from the district headquarters of
Patuakhali. Access to the area is difficult. Guided Tours in Kuakata
TRAVEL BANGLADESH (TRAVELBD) arranges guided package tours for groups of
2 to 8 and above from Dhaka to Kuakata.
8. MAINAMATI - SEAT OF LOST DYNASTIES
On
the slopes of these hills lie scattered a treasure of information about
the early Buddhist cMlization (7th-12th Centure A.D.). At Salban in the
center of the point, excavations laid bare a big Buddhist Vihara
(monastery) and imposing central sharine. It has revealed valuable
information about the rule of the Chandra and Deva dynasties which
flourished here from the 7th to 12th century. The whole range of
hillocks run for about 18 km. and is studded with more than 50 sites. A
site museum houses the archaeological finds which include terra cotta
plaques, bronze statues and casket, coins, jewellery, utensils, pottery
and votive stupas embossed with Buddhist inscriptions. Museum is open
Sunday-Friday and closed on Saturday. Bangladesh Academy for Rural
Development (BARD) recognized nearby in 1959 is known for its pioneering
role in co-operative movement.
9. MAHASTANGARH - THE OLDEST ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
Situated
at a space of 18 km north of Bogra town. Mahasthangarh is the oldest
archaeological site of Bangladesh on the western bank of river Karatoa.
The spectacular site is an imposing landmark in the area having a
fortified long enclosure. Beyond the fortified area, other ancient ruins
fan out within a semicircle of about 8 km radius. Several isolated
mounds, the local names of which are Govinda Bhita Temple, Khodia Pathar
Mound, Mankalir Kunda, Parasuramer Bedi, Jiyat Kunda etc. surround the
fortified city. This 3rd century B.C. archaeological site is still held
to be of great sanctity by the Hindus. Every year (mid - April) and once
in every 12 years (December) thousands of Hindu devotees join the
bathing ceremony on the bank of river Karatoa. A visit to the
Mahasthangarh site museum will open up for one a wide variety of
antiquities, ranging form terra-cotta objects to gold ornaments and
coins recovered from the site. Also noteworthy are the shrine of Shah
Sultan Bulki Mahisawary and Gokul Moth in the neighbourhood of
Mahasthangarh.
10. RAJSHAI - A NATURAL SILK PRODUCING CENTRE
Rajshahi
has been the most glorious periods of Bengal's Pala dynasty. It is
famous for pure silk, mangoes and lichis. Beautiful silk products are
cheaper. A visit to Varendra Research Museum at the heart of the city of
rich archaeological finds would be most rewarding. There are also a
number of ancient mosques, shrines and temples in and around Rajshahi.
Linked with Dhaka by road, rail, river and air, Rajshahi is situated on
the bank of the Padma River. Bangladesh Parjathan Corporation offers
comfortable lodging and restaurant services at Rajshahi.
11. NATORE PLACE OF DIGHPATIYA RAJBARI
DIGHPATIYA
RAJBARI is located 40km. from Rajshahi by road is Natore, an old seat
of Maharajas with a attractive palace, now serving as the Uttara
Ganabhaban (President's Official residence of the northern region). It
was residence of the Dighapatiya Raj. It is placed amid well kept ground
surrounded by a fine moat. The buildings are new. They include a well
prepared guest house, an imposing gateway and a fine garden decorated
with statues of white marble.
12. PAHARPUR - THE LARGEST BUDDHIST SEAT OF LEARNING
Paharpur
is a small village 5 km. west of Jamalganj in the better Rajshahi
district where the remains of the most main and the biggest known
monastery south of the Himalayas has been excavated. The entire
establishment, occupying a quadrangular cout, measuring more than 900
ft. and from 12 ft. to 15th. In height. With elaborate gateway complex
on the north there are 45 cells on the north and 44 in each of the other
three sides with a total number of 177 rooms. The structural design of
the pyramidal cruciform temple is profoundly influenced by those of
South - East Asia, especially Myanmar and Java. It had taken its name
from a high heap, which looked like pahar or hillock. A site museum
built recently houses the representative collection of things recovered
from the area. The excavated findings have also been preserved at the
Varendra Research Museum at Rajshahi. The antiquities of the museum
include terra-cotta plaques, images of different goods and goddesses,
potteries, coin inscriptions, ornamental bricks and other minor clay
objects.
13. DINAJPUR - OLD ORNAMENTAL TEMPLE TOWN
The
northern most district of the country, offers a number of beautiful
places to the visitors. The Ransagar (great sea) lake with relax houses
is a good picnic places having facilities for fishing and rowing in a
serene and silence green countryside environment. Kantanager temple, the
most ornate among the late medieval temples of Bangladesh is placed
near Dinajpur town. It was build by Maharaja Pran Nath in 1752 A.D.
Every inch of the temple surface is wonderfully embellished with
exquisite terra-cotta plaques, representing flora, fauna, geometric
motifis, mythological scenes and an astonishing array to contemporary
social scenes and favorite pastimes. The Maharaja's palace with relics
of the past centuries and local museum are worth a visit.
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