Ruled by a succession of Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim dynasties before passing to the British, Dhaka has always been a crucial city, due to its strategic location on the confluence of two rivers. With 17 million inhabitants, modern-day Dhaka is one of the mega-cities of Asia and among the top fifty most densely populated cities in the world. Due to its numerous rickshaws, Dhaka has earned the moniker "Rickshaw Capital of the World", and many of these bright, colorful craft can often be seen darting in and out of heavily congested traffic.
Given Dhaka's long past, the city is a treasure trove of historic sites and cultural treasures; chief among them are the rambling, crowded streets of Old Dhaka; the ornate Tara Masjid, or Star Mosque; and Lalbagh Fort, the commanding, sprawling structure that served as a symbol of Mughal might and hegemony over the region.
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Go to Lalbagh Fort, an unfinished fort dating from 1678, when Dhaka was the regional seat of the Mughal viceroys. Though the fort was never completed, recent excavations and renovations have restored its imposing fortifications and ornamental gates. Several of the interior buildings remain, including a mosque, tombs, an audience hall and the hammam (or Turkish-style bathhouse).
Visit a number of projects supported by the Grameen Bank and its founder Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist who was instrumental in the development of microcredit financing — the extension of small loans to individuals or organizations who do not qualify for a traditional loan. If Mr. Yunus is available, meet with him and discuss with him his economic philosophy and the vital changes it has brought about in Bangladesh.
Visit the stunning National Assembly Building (Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban), designed by world-renowned American architect Louis Khan. Planned with both contemporary architecture and the aesthetic history of the region in mind, the massive stone building combines clean lines and forms with the monumental feel of a Mughal fort.
Visit the National Museum, home to an excellent collection of sculpture from Bangladesh’s Hindu, Buddhist and Mughal past, as well as an extensive collection of folk art. A curator will take you on a personal tour of the highlights of the collection.
Explore the old city, which runs along the waterfront, and dates from the Mughal Empire, when Dhaka was an important regional trading center. Witness the bustling river life of the Buriganga, where floating merchants ply their trades and people from all walks of life queue for the riverboats bound for other cities in this riverine country.
Tour through the city by cycle rickshaw. Rickshaws are the most popular form of transportation in the Dhaka; there are some 400,000 on the streets, and are typically brightly painted with a riot of images drawn from nature, history, or popular films. Visit a workshop where rickshaws are painted and meet the artists behind these fanciful designs.
Visit the beautiful Star Mosque, or Tara Masjid, in the old city. The mosque’s five domes, porticos and pillars are decorated with hundreds of large and small stars, created by setting pieces of china on white cement. In bright sunlight, this brilliant combination is quite striking and can give the building the effect of floating above the ground. The inside is just as lovely – covered with floral motifs and passages in Arabic calligraphy picked out in the same unusual style of mosaic, known as Chini Tikri.
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See the best Bangladesh has to offer on this classic 10-day journey through the historical, colorful country. You’ll move from the historical buildings of Dhaka, through the thick flora of the Sundarbans forest, and back again, visiting must-see sights the Shrine of Bayazid Bostami, interacting with local hilltribes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and tasting tea fresh from the plantations in Sylhet.
Explore the sights and attractions of India’s exciting Bengal region, on a 12-day luxury journey from Bangladesh’s bustling Dhaka, through the lush Sundarbans mangrove forest, onwards to Calcutta for lunch at the Polo Club, and ending Darjeeling for a tour and stay at Glenburn Tea Estate.
Get a glimpse of Bangladesh's rich cultural history on this unforgettable tour. Starting and ending in the heart of its capital, you'll make the excursion to explore the treasures at Comilla in between and find yourself falling for this country in just three days.
Travel through the wild and wonderful side of Bangladesh on this thrilling 8-day luxury tour starting with a rickshaw tour of historic Dhaka, and finishing off in the lush Sundarbans forest, where you can spot Bengal Tigers. You’ll stop to take in ancient sights like the Pink Palace, and the Sixty Dome Mosque.
This five-day Bangladesh tour highlights some of the county’s most revered cultural sights and beautiful natural feats. From small villages to large Muslim shrines, and from the world’s biggest mangrove forest to the exciting capital of Dhaka, you’ll enjoy an exhilarating cross-section of this fascinating country.
On this unforgettable whistlestop tour of the beauties of Bangladesh, you'll spend eight days discovering the country’s considerable highlights. From the bustle of the metropolis to the simple life of tribal villagers, from visits to historic temples to lazy days on never-ending beaches, you'll truly see it all.
In just six days, get a taste for the beauty and culture of fascinating Bangladesh, from its bustling capital to its tribal villages and temples imbued with history. Revel in the sights, smells and colors of this amazing country.
Experience the best of Bangladesh in this eight-day tour, packed with treasures and wonders. From the city museums filled with historic relics, to the country’s most impressive temples, mosques and ancient sites, you’ll get a sense of the culture - and natural delights - of this fascinating nation.
Delve into the amazing architecture and sacred structures of Buddhist Bangladesh on this eight-day tour. From the city to the hillsides and the countryside to the coast, this is your opportunity to explore this fascinating culture and its ancient history up close.
Centrally located in the business district of Gulshan, the 241-room Westin Dhaka is steps away from shopping malls, restaurants, museums, and foreign embassies. Like most Westins, the accommodations have an agreeable, though ultimately forgettable, design. Rooms feature signature Westin comforts like the Heavenly Bed and the Heavenly Shower (a double-headed shower), and modern amenities like an LCD flat-screen TV and high-speed Internet access (for a fee). A 24-hour business center provides a full range of business services. Leisure facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a full-service spa. Six restaurants and bars make up the dining scene. These include Prego, an Italian restaurant on the 23rd floor, and Seasonal Tastes, serving Pan-Asian cuisine. The hotel is just five miles away from the Zia International Airport.
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