Monday, September 8, 2008

TOURIST PLACES IN BANGLADESH

Bangladesh is endowed with enchanting scenic beauty, mighty rivers,
sunny beaches, historical relics and colorful tribal life all the
potentials to attract visitors for eco tourism, sight seeing and plain
holidaying in pristine and unspoiled surroundings. Bangladesh Parjatan
Corporation the national tourism organization- and allied Government and
private tour operators are making vigorous efforts to develop the
special interest places for visitors. As a result modern hotels, motels
with recreational and other facilities, rest houses, youth inns,
restaurants and cafĂ©’s of world-class standards are rapidly coming up
all over the country. Currently, 12 such locations starting from the
capital to the hinterlands have evolved into frequently visited tourist
spots offering regular and specialized services. These facilities
coupled with improved communications and liberal customs and immigration
rules has turned Bangladesh into a favorite tourist destination in the
region.


*Dhaka :*

Founded in 1608 as the seat of the imperial Mughal Viceroys of Bengal
Dhaka is now a city about 9,912,908 people and is the capital of the
country. It is in the central point of the country surrounded by
Buriganga & Turag River. Dhaka is best known for its historical
architecture especially mosques – and thus the epithet – City of Mosques
defines its history appropriately. However, being an old city seeped in
history the monuments span both Hindu and Muslim dominant era.

Some of its ancient monuments are Lalbagh Fort (1678 A. D.), Ahsan
Manzil (A. D.),
Paribibi’s tomb (1678 A. D.), Sathgambuz (seven-domed) Mosque (1680 A.
D.), Bara Katra, Hussaini Dalan, Star Mosque and Dhakeswari Temple.

Dhaka is not a city of relics only but a melting pot of contemporary
architectural style. The western and eastern influence has lent this
city a uniqueness that surmounts the apparent clutter and attracts the
discerning eye. Among the modern constructions, Parliament House
designed the world renowned Lewis Kahn at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Baitul
Mukarram Mosque, National Museum at Shahabagh, Kamalapur railway station
and Zia international airport at Kurmitola and central National Shaheed
Minar are worth visiting. For those who are more interested in nature
and amusements Ashulia lake view, Fantasy Kingdom Theme park, National
Botanical Garden, Mirpur National Zoo, Crescent Lake, Dhanmondi Lake
offer a variety of entertainment for all ages.

The outskirts of Dhaka gives a glimpse of its heritage, history of
independence and the people who made it all happen. Easy to reach a
must-see are the National Martyrs Memorial at Savar, ruins of the old
seats of power at Vikrampur, (7TH Century), and Sonargaon (10TH Century).



*Chittagong :*

Described by the famous Chinese traveller Hiuan Tsang in the 7TH Century
as ‘ sleeping beauty emerging from mist and water’ Chittagong with its
green sloping hills, rain forests and wide sandy sea beaches is an
attractive destination. It is the second largest city of Bangladesh
located in the southern-east side and a busy seaport. Many heavy, medium
and large industries are also located in Chittagong. The country’s only
steel mills and oil refinery are among them. Besides these the city also
boasts of tea and rubber plantations.

Chittagong offers a wide selection of places to visit. Along with
historical sites one of the prominent features is the collection of
ethnic settlements still in their original habitats. The history of this
natural harbor city includes landings of Portugese merchants in search
of spices. The arrival of such races as Greeks, Spanish, British and
Moghuls on the shores of Chittagong has left their influences in the
architecture, emergence of ethnic segments, food and the dialect. The
commonly spoken Bengali dialect of Chittagong is very different from the
rest of the country. Places of interest in and around Chittagong
includes shrine of Dozen Muslim saints such as Hazrat Byazid Bostami
(famous for the turtles in the pond), Shahi Jame Mosque and Chandanpura
Mosque. The Hindu and Buddhist temples at Sitakunda and the Cemetery of
the 2nd world war heroes offer a peek into the history and its present
impact. The Ethnological museum, Pahartoly Lake, Foys Lake and Patenga
and Fauzderhat beaches are places to enjoy nature and ancient relics.



*Rangamati :*

About 80 km southern-east from Chittagong, connected by a good meter
road amidst green fields and winding hills is Rangamati. With its
enchanting scenic beauty Rangamati is an attractive holiday resort. This
is a tribal area inhabited mostly by ethnic population representing
different tribes but predominantly belong to the ‘Chakma’ race.
Although, most of these tribes are now merged with the mainstream
population but one can see their lifestyle by visiting the surrounding
villages. Of special interest are some of their rituals, weaving clothes
and making other handicrafts. The area was under the jurisdiction of a
tribal King known as the Chakma Raja. At present he is an honored and
titular head enjoying special benefits from the Government. His palace
is now converted into a tribal museum and houses local artifacts.
Rangamati is of special interest to nature lovers and out-door people.
Its winding hilly paths through natural rain forests and quaint villages
offer vistas of indelible beauty. Kaptai lake formed by damming the
river Karnafuly spreads over an area of about 689 sq.kms. and is ideal
for speed boat cruising, water skiing, and fishing. Emerald-blue waters
of the lake flanked by green hills are excellent for swimming and family
picnics on pontoons.
For shoppers who look for regional products Rangamati is a haven. Not
only handicrafts it provides the opportunity to see the craftspeople at
work. At Tabalchhri handicraft center all the local products are brought
under one roof for those shoppers who like to browse or are pushed for
time.
National Tourism Organization has built a modern tourists complex with
panoramic view of the Kaptai Lake at Rangamati having good
accommodation, food, rent-a-boat and other facilities for
holiday-makers. Local sight seeing tours are also arranged.



*Sylhet :*

Terraced tea gardens, eye catching orange cloves and pineapple
plantations, tropical forests and colourful Khasia and Monipuri tribes
make the visit to Sylhet an unforgettable experience. Sylhet is the
northern queen of the country.
Famous for tea gardens that has become its landmark Sylhet boasts of
natural beauty, mixed cultures and history that still reflects
influences from the past. The other aspect of Sylhet is its population
of non-resident Bangaldeshis who have successfully invaded the business
and employment sector abroad specifically the U.K.
It is also known as the land of the famous Muslim saint Hazrat Shah
Jalal and Hazrat Shah Paran-the great torch bearers of Islam to this
region. Their shrines are places of interest and people of all religion
visit it.

The terrain of Sylhet is like Chittagong hills covered with vegetation,
pristine valleys and rivers. Being land blocked it does not have beaches
and lakes. However, the visitors can find one of the most beautiful
natural waterfalls in the region in Jaflong. The sound of the cascading
water-fall resounds all around and can be heard from afar. On a clear
sunny day one can glimpse the rainbow arched above the mists of the
water-fall. Visit to the innumerable tea gardens most of which are
privately owned and some offer rest houses, the water-fall, hiking
through the tribal villages of Khasia and Monipur and shopping for
tribal handicrafts are some of the main attractions of Sylhet.



*Rajshahi :*

The headquarters for the northern region of the country Rajshahi is
famous for its hand woven silk fabrics, mangoes and lichis. Its Hindu
dominant history is evident in the palatial houses that abound in
various stages of decay. And are now relics of the past.

About 40 kms off the town is Natore, an old seat of Maharajahs with a
beautiful palace. In the serene and picturesque surrounding at Paharpur
lies the relics of the glorious Pala dynasty (8th century). Excavations
at this historic side have reveled the biggest Buddhist Monastery is
distinguished by its unique architectural design.

Santal tribe is another interesting attraction of Rajshahi. There are
also a number of ancient mosque and temples in this region.



*Bogra :*

This ancient district town serves as the nerve-centre of northern
Bangladesh and is fast coming up as an industrial zone. Some of the
largest coal and lime stone deposits of the country have been discovered
in this area. The city is very old and distinguished by a square that
connects seven lanes or by-roads. Historically, the district was a
business hub and still enjoys its trading status.

Twelve kilometers off the town is the ancient archeological site of
Mahastanghar. This is the original city of Hindu dynasty that was taken
over by a Muslim saint and later became famous as Holy spot. Here buried
among the mounds of earth-some of which have been excavated-lies the
ruins of the earliest known capital of Bengal. Nearby is the local
museum and gardens. The excavated findings of the Hindu Pal dynasty and
early Islamic calligraphy are housed in the museum.



*Dinajpur :*

The northernmost district Dinajpur offers a number of attractions to the
visitors. The Ramsagar lake is one such attraction. It is a good picnic
spot with rest houses and facilities for fishing and rowing. The lake is
legendary and surrounded with many tales from the past.

Kantanagar Hindu Temple (1722 A. D.) with exquisite mythological
Terracotta decorations on its walls, the Maharajah’s palace with relics
from the past and the local museum are some of the interesting places to
visit in this hinterland.
The northern most tip of Bangladesh – Tetulia is about 40 km from the
city center.



*Khulna :*

Located about 320 kms southern-west of Dhaka, Khulna is the country’s
third biggest city. It serves as the gateway to the port of Mongla and
Sundarbans. A journey by paddle steamer from Dhaka to Khulna along the
southern river system running through the green countryside is an
unforgettable experience.

About 32 kms from Khulna are the popular tourist attractions of Khan
Jahan Ali’s 60-domed ancient Mosque (1459 A. D.) and his mausoleum at
Bagherhat.

In the south, spread over an area of about 6000sq. kms of deltaic swamps
along the coastal belt of Khulna is the mangrove forest of Sundarbans -
home to the Royal Bengal Tigers. Its dense evergreen rain forests are
criss-crossed by a network of rivers and creeks. It is one of the
greatest deltas in the world. Snow from the Himalayan range flows down
the five rivers and its tributaries into the Bay of Bengal. One finds
here tides flowing in two directions in the same creek. Tigers swimming
across a river, huge.

List of Picnic Spots

*SHALBON* Site
location
a sister organization of Ambala Groups
*Village: Nanduyan / Araish Prashad
District: Gazipur*
*Office : Salbon (14th floor), Sonartori Tower
12 Sanargoan Road, Dhaka
Tel : 02-8622996, 8624627, 911,9576, 9145566, 8113944
*

2

*SHYAMOLI* Site
location

a sister concern of China Kitchen
*Monipur, Gazipur*
*Office : Mustafa Kamal
185 Elephant Road, Dhaka - 1205
Tel : 02-8625150, 0171 592949
*

3

*Tourist Home Picnic Spot*
*Panam Nagar, Sonargoan
(Near Sonargoan Museum), Dhaka.*
*Tel : 02-8827053, 0189-481471, 0189-272152
*

4

*Utshob Picnic Spot*
*Jaydebpur, Gazipur.*
* Tel : 02-9661886, 8626376, 0171-044591*
Web: www.geocities.com/utshobbd



5 *Elenga Resort Limited *
*Kalihati, Tangail *
Tel: 9880642, 8813242
Email: elenga@ipsslgroup : Website:
www.ipsslgroup.com www.ipsslgroup.com%20



6 *Jamuna Resort Limited *
Progoti RPR (7th floor)
20-21, Karwan Bazar, Dhaka
Tel: 9135787: Email: jpl@bol-online.com



7

*Jangal Bari Picnic Spot*
* Tel : 02-9555599, 7169768, 0176-892805, 0171-106105