Bangladesh is a dream destination with natural beauty.
Since its creation in 1971, Bangladesh has been in the news mainly for poverty, floods and political rifts overshadowing its natural wealth and history. Here's a list of its hidden tourist attractions.
Sunderbans: The largest mangrove in the world, it stretches 80km into the country and is home to the endangered Bengal tiger besides 120 species of fish, 260 species of birds (indigenous and migratory) and 50 species of reptiles and amphibians. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1966. The forests are to home deer, crocodiles and many monkey species. Honey and timber are also found here.
Dhaka and Chittagong: The largest and the second-largest cities of the country, they are conglomerates of various cultures and religions. The capital, Dhaka, boasts a rich Mughal and British history evident in its monuments, such as the Lalbagh Fort, 1857 Memorial (Bahadur Shah Park), Curzon Hall and Ahsan Manzil Museum.
Chittagong is a busy port yet an ideal holiday destination with its hills, forests and beaches. The Shahi Jama-e-Masjid and Qadam Mubarak Mosque are a must-visit, besides the Ethnological Museum, which displays the life of the country's tribal people. Fairy Hill in the British City in the northwestern sector offers some great views.
The Hills: Located 77km from Chittagong, the hill tracts Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban are a repository of scenic splendour. Divided into four valleys surrounded by the Feni, Karnaphuli, Sankhu and Matamuhuri rivers and tributaries, and forests, the hill tracts are a valuable source of wood and bamboo. Foreigners will need a tourist permit from the government to visit the hills.
Cox's Bazaar: Because this coastal town boasts miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, endless surfing waves, rare conch shells, colourful pagodas and tasty seafood, Cox's Bazaar near Chittagong is often referred to as the " tourist capital of Bangladesh".
Sylhet: Nestled in the Surma valley, Sylhet is formed by a the Surma and Kushiara. It is hemmed in by the Khasia and Jaintia hills in the north and Tripura range in the south. Its tea plantations, exotic species of wildlife and flora in the thick tropical forests and the lifestyle of the Mainpuri tribes make it a prime attraction for tourists. It is also known for its cane products, from tea trays to furniture and bags.
Kuakata: With its beautiful sunsets, Kuakata is a beauty spot on Bangladesh's southernmost tip. Its legendary beaches sloping gently into the Bay of Bengal provide a sanctuary not just for those seeking relaxation but for migratory winter birds too. The unique customs and costumes of the Rakhyne tribe and the century-old Buddhist temple add to the history of Kuakata.
Man-made wonders
Once a part of the Indian subcontinent, Bangladesh shares India's rich Mughal history in its archaeological and cultural sites. Buddhism is also part of its early history as various Buddhist followers once ruled the area. Some important Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu sites found in the country are:
Paharpur: The largest Buddhist seat of learning, it is a village in the Rajshahi district. It has the remains of the most important and the largest known monastery south of the Himalayas. A museum built in 1956-57 houses objects recovered from the area.
Mahasthangarh: This 3rd century archaeological site on the western bank of Karatoa River north of Bogra town is the oldest in Bangladesh. Spanning 5,000 by 4,500 feet and set amid paddy fields, this is an imposing sight. Once a centre of Hinduism, its sanctity is preserved even today.
Mainamati: This low hill range is has more than 50 Buddhist settlements from AD8-12. The museum has a rich and varied collection of copper, gold, silver and bronze objects. It is about a day's trip by road from Dhaka.
Lalbagh Fort: It occupies the southwestern part of Dhaka's old city, overlooking the Buriganga. Due to its Mughal connections, it's one of the must-visits.
Sonargaon: About 27km from Dhaka, Sonargaon is one of the oldest capitals of Bengal. It was the seat of the Deva Dynasty until the advent of the Mughals in the 13th century. Then Sonargaon became the subsidiary capital of the Sultanate of Bengal.
Shatt-Gumbad Mosque: In the mid-15th century, a Muslim colony was founded in the Sundarbans by a person named Ulugh Khan Jahan. He was the earliest torchbearer of Islam in the South who laid the nucleus of an affluent city during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmoud Shah (1442-59), then known as Khalifatabad (present Bagerhat).
Kantanagar Temple: The most ornate among the late medieval temples of Bangladesh, this was built in 1752 by Maharaja Pran Nath of Dinajpur. The temple, a 50 square foot three-storey edifice, rests on a slightly curved, raised plinth of sandstone blocks, believed to have been quarried from the ruins of the ancient city of Bangarh in West Bengal.
Ahsan Manzil: Situated on the bank of the Buriganga River in Dhaka the Ahsan Manzil is now a museum. It was once the home of the Nawab of Dhaka. It has 31 rooms with a huge dome on top. It has 23 galleries displaying portraits, furniture and household articles used by the Nawab.
