Sightseeing in Dhaka - what to see. Complete travel guide

The first settlement on the territory of modern Dhaka appeared in the 7th century. However, certain historical files assume that there were settlements in this area yet in the 1st century BC. At the beginning of the 7th century, the Buddhist kingdom of Kamarupa existed in this region. According to a legend, the city got its name because of a temple dedicated to goddess Dhakeshwari that was built here. In the 8th century, Dhaka became the capital of the Bengali Kingdom. When a Muslim dynasty established its reign in Dhaka in the 13th – 14th centuries, a new religion, Islam, started spreading quickly in the region.
Do you want to see the landmark that gave the city its current name? In this case, don’t forget to visit the Dhakeshwari National Temple that is the main architectural and historical landmark of the city. Without a doubt, this is an important part of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage. The temple’s building can be conventionally divided into two parts. The ancient part is made from rough stones. Visitors can see them on the inner premises and underground passages. The new part of the shrine was built two centuries ago, during a large-scale restoration.

Tourists should also visit one more important landmark of Dhaka that simply cannot leave them indifferent. This is a truly marvelous building that never ceases to amaze guests of the city. It is called the Star Mosque. Why does the mosque have this unusual name? You will find the answer to this question once you enter the complex. All inner and outer walls of the building are covered with drawings of stars of different shades and styles. Initially, the mosque had a rectangular shape and three arched entrances. Further restorations added towers on the sides of the building. Three large cupolas form the top of the mosque, with the central one being the biggest.

Tourists with small children will find it interesting to visit the local zoo, which is situated sixteen kilometers away from the central part of Dhaka. When taking a stroll in this enchanting place, visitors will find two big lakes that become home for thousands of migratory birds every winter. There is a monkey center with more than two hundred species of these cute animals. Besides monkeys, visitors enjoy visiting a large caged area with fifteen tigers and twelve lions. Finally, all guests of the zoo like a beautiful garden with several thousand butterflies, including the biggest species in the world, the size of which is equal to a man’s palm. In the zoo, it is possible to see such rare animals as the panda, grey African parrot, black bear, and tapir.

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City tours, excursions and tickets in Dhaka and surroundings
Reference information
Art galleries in Dhaka and around
♥ Art museum 'National Art Gallery (Bangladesh)' Dhaka, 8.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'Zainul Gallery' Dhaka, 8.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'National Art Gallery (Bangladesh)' Dhaka, 8.5 km from the center. On the map


♥ Art museum 'Zainul Gallery' Dhaka, 8.5 km from the center. On the map


Sights around Dhaka from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Bangladesh
From the series “Permanently Sinking Cities and Regions”
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Distance from Dhaka center - 13 km.
This flood became the most destroying and widest for last 100 years. It was caused by the uncontrolled forest exploitation in the Himalayas. For thousands of years there had formed the unique ecosystem that naturally saved Bangladesh’s lower reaches of rivers from the destroying actions of monsoon waters. Soil barriers naturally saved the water, although, when the forest became to exploitation, some barriers were destroyed. Nowadays monsoon rains have plagued the locals and threatened the region every year. …
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Hazaribagh
From the series “Top 14 Most Polluted Cities of the Planet”
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Distance from Dhaka center - 9.6 km.
The increased concentration of chromium in the air and water leads to the development of the chronic diseases of the respiratory system and increases the probability of development of the malignant tumors a thousand times. At present, about 15,000 people work on the farms. Among the workers, there are many women and children who begin work at the age of 11. For the processing of the raw material, the local companies use the solution of hexavalent chromium - the general use of this element has spoiled the ecology of the large industrial city forever. …
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Sightseeing in Bangladesh: things to see


Search touristic sites on the map of Dhaka

