Discover 25 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Bangladesh. Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Lalbagh Fort (Dhaka), Jamuna Future Park (Dhaka) or Ahsan Manzil (Dhaka).
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Bangladesh.
Table of Contents
Lalbagh Fort, Dhaka
Also known as: লালবাগের কেল্লা
17th-century fort with art and antiques. Lalbagh Fort is an incomplete 17th-century Mughal fort complex that stands before the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The construction was started in 1678 AD by Mughal Subahdar Muhammad Azam Shah, who was a son of Emperor Aurangzeb and later emperor himself. His successor, Shaista Khan, did not continue the work, though he stayed in Dhaka up to 1688.
The fort was never completed, and unoccupied for a long period of time. Much of the complex was built over and now sits across from modern buildings.[1]
Address: Lalbagh Rd, 1211 Dhaka
Jamuna Future Park, Dhaka
Also known as: যমুনা ফিউচার পার্ক
Shopping mall in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Jamuna Future Park is a shopping mall in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was inaugurated on 6 September 2013. Construction began in 2002, by Jamuna Builders Ltd. a subsidiary of the Jamuna Group and the exterior was completed in 2008. It has a total floor area of 4,100,000 square feet. It is the biggest shopping mall in South Asia, and the 24th biggest mall in the world.[2]
Address: Progati Sarani, Jagannathpur, Bashundhara, 1229 ঢাকা
Ahsan Manzil, Dhaka
Also known as: আহসান মঞ্জিল
Landmark palace of the Dhaka Nawabs. Ahsan Manzil is the erstwhile official residential palace and seat of the Nawab of Dhaka. The building is situated at Kumartoli along the banks of the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Construction was started in 1859 and was completed in 1872. It was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture. It has been designated as a national museum.[3]
Address: Ahsan Manzil, 1100 ঢাকা
Chittagong Zoo, Chittagong
Also known as: চট্টগ্রাম চিড়িয়াখানা
Zoo in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Chittagong Zoo is a Zoo in Chittagong, Bangladesh. With an area of 6 acres of land it is located about three kilometers north-west of the city, alongside at the entrance of Foy's Lake, opposite the foothills of the mountains of USTC Medical College.[4]
Shah Jalal Dargah, Sylhet
Shrine. The Shah Jalal Dargah is the shrine and burial place of the 14th century Muslim saint Shah Jalal, located in Sylhet, Bangladesh. The site, known as a dargah, was originally constructed c. 1500, though many additions and alterations were made to its structures over the following centuries. It became a religious centre in the region, respected across multiple ruling administrations and greatly venerated among Bengalis, with local folklore and legends developing around it. The extensive surrounding compound serves several functions and includes four mosques, a religious school and a public cemetery among others. The Dargah is presently the largest and most visited religious site in Bangladesh.[5]
Jamboree Park, Chittagong
Park in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Jamboree Park is an urban park in the Agrabad area of Chittagong, Bangladesh. The park has decorated with near thousand lamps which offer a dazzling view at night. The park has 50,000 square feet water-body alongside 8,000 feet walkway and compound road, internal master drain. The three feet high ground does not get submerged due to water-logging.[6]
Bangladesh Railway Museum, Chittagong
Museum in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Bangladesh Railway Museum is the sole railway museum of Bangladesh Railway located in Chattogram, Bangladesh.
It was a bungalow before it was turned to a museum on 15 November 2003, which showcases some of the rich collection of relics, objects used in Assam Bengal Railway (1942), Eastern Bengal Railway (1947) and Pakistan Railways (1961). The preserved artefacts mainly belong to mechanical, electrical, telecommunication, signal, traffic and engineering departments of the Bangladesh Railway. It also includes different kinds of lamps and lights, fans and bells, uniforms and accessories of station masters, signalling equipment, transmitters, analogue telephone, monograms, track switches and railway sleepers.[7]
Address: Ambagan Road, Chittagong
Mahasthangarh, Bogra
Also known as: মহাস্থানগড়
Mahasthangarh is one of the earliest urban archaeological sites so far discovered in Bangladesh. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj upazila of Bogra District contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana. A limestone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script recording a land grant, discovered in 1931, dates Mahasthangarh to at least the 3rd century BCE. It was an important city under the Maurya Empire. The fortified area was in use until the 8th century CE.[8]
Museum of Rajas', Sylhet
Also known as: মিউজিয়াম অব রাজাস
Museum in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Museum of Rajas' is a folk museum in Sylhet, Bangladesh.
The predecessor's home of Hason Raja has been transformed into today's famous Museum of Rajas', commonly known as Hason Raja Museum. It is situated at the heart (Zinda Bazar) of the Sylhet City Corporation area in Sylhet Division of Bangladesh. It is about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the Sylhet Osmany International Airport and 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the Sylhet Railway Station. Maintained and organized by the Educationist Dewan Talibur Raja Trust, named after the grandson of Dewan Hason Raja. The museum's mission is to preserve and share the rich history of the great Raja Family of Sylhet keeping the Zamindar and Mystic poet Dewan Hason Raja Chowdhury (1854–1922) in the center, and the folk literature, folk music and mystic poets of Sylhet Division. The museum promotes a greater public awareness of the rich cultural legacy of Sylhet. In pursuit of these goals, this museum collects archival materials related to Bangla folk literature, music and poets from the greater Sylhet region, and preserves these collections in a repository, open to the public. The museum also encourages and facilitates research on folk literature and history. The results of this research are made available to the public through museum exhibits, publications and presentations. It was formally inaugurated on 30 June 2006 by thousands of folk loving people by playing "Ek Tara" (a folk musical instrument) together, which was a unique event of this kind.
'Raja-Kunjo' is a hundred years old tin shade building having few rooms and other amenities including a piazza in the front. One has to cross few meters from the main gate to reach the Museum. Portraits of Hason Raja and his son Dewan Eklimur Raja Chowdhury (1889–1964) are placed in the entrance to greet the visitors. Receptionist/ Museum Assistants welcomes the guests and conducts guided tour. This historic museum comprises two galleries, where historical artifacts and a good number of photographs are preserved.[9]
Address: Raja-Kunjo, Zinda Bazar, Sylhet
Osmani Museum, Sylhet
Also known as: ওসমানী জাদুঘর
Museum in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Osmani Museum is a museum in Kotwali Thana of Sylhet, Bangladesh. The ancestors' home of Bangabir General Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani, the Commander-in-Chief of Bangladesh Forces has been transformed into today's famous "Osmani Museum". It is situated at the heart of the Sylhet City Corporation area in renowned Sylhet Division of Bangladesh. It is about 12 km from the Sylhet Osmani International Airport and 3 km from the Sylhet Railway Station. Maintained and organised by the Bangladesh National Museum, this museum has been established to pay rich tribute to the great hero of Bangladesh for his outstanding accomplishments. This will surely act as a stimulus to the future generations. The foundation stone was laid on 16 February 1985 and it was inaugurated on 4 March 1987 by the then president of Bangladesh H M Ershad.
‘Nur Manzil' is by and large a tin shade building having few rooms and other amenities including an exquisite piazza in the front. One has to cross few meters from the main gate to reach the Museum. A huge portrait of the General, placed in the centre of the entrance hall greets the visitors. Receptionist welcomes the guests. One has to write name and address in the register placed in the reception. A befitting sitting place is also available in the lobby. This historic museum comprises three galleries, where personal belongings of General Osmani and a good number of historical photographs are preserved befittingly. On both western and eastern side of the building there exist two small rooms, where Assistant Keeper and Care Taker's office are situated.[10]
Shalban Vihara, Comilla
Also known as: শালবন বৌদ্ধ বিহার
Shalban Bihar is an archaeological site in Moinamoti, Comilla, Bangladesh. The ruins are in the middle of the Lalmai hills ridge, and these are of a 7th-century Paharpur-style Buddhist Bihar with 115 cells for monks. It operated through the 12th century.
Excavations have revealed many archaeological artifacts dated to between the 7th and 12th centuries. Most of them are kept in the Moinamoti Museum now.[11]
Varendra Research Museum, Rajshahi
Also known as: বরেন্দ্র গবেষণা জাদুঘর
Museum in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Varendra Museum is a museum, research centre, and popular visitor attraction at the heart of Rajshahi and maintained by Rajshahi University in Bangladesh. It is considered the oldest museum in Bangladesh. It was the first museum to be established in East Bengal in 1910. The museum started out as the collection for Varendra Anushandan Samiti and got its current name in 1919. The Rajahs of Rajshahi and Natore, notably prince Sharat Kumar Ray, donated their personal collections to Varendra Museum. Varendra refers to an ancient Janapada roughly corresponding to modern northern Bangladesh.[12]
Address: Shaheb Bazar Road, Rajshahi
Mainamati War Cemetery, Comilla
Also known as: ময়নামতী ওয়ার সিমেট্রি
Cemetery in Bangladesh. The Mainamati War Cemetery is a war cemetery and a memorial in Comilla, Bangladesh, for Second World War graves from nearby areas during the Second World War. The cemetery contains 736 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. It was established and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in World War II. It is situated in the Comilla Cantonment area.[13]
Shaheed A.H.M Qamaruzzaman Central Park and Zoo, Rajshahi
Shaheed A.H.M Qamaruzzaman Central Park and Zoo is a public park as well as zoo in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. It is a popular recreation place for the citizens of the city. The park has a land area of 33 acres. It is named after A.H.M Qamaruzzaman, who was one of the national leader of Bangladesh.[14]
Rajshahi District, Rajshahi
Rajshahi District is a district in mid-western Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rajshahi Division. The metropolitan city of Rajshahi is in Rajshahi District.[15]
Oxford Mission Church, Barisal
Oxford Mission Epiphany Church, commonly known as Oxford Mission Church, is an Anglican church in Barisal, a southern city in Bangladesh. It is one of the oldest and arguably the second largest church in Asia by land area.[16]
Address: Oxford Mission Chaurch Bogra Road, Barisal
Divisional Museum, Khulna
Khulna Divisional Museum is the only museum of Khulna City. It was established by Bangladesh Archaeological Department. It is the second largest museum in Bangladesh after Bangladesh National Museum by area. This museum is full of archaeological evidence, structures & photos of South Bengal. The archaeological excavation leftovers from "Bharata Bhayana" are kept here. Bharat Rajar Deul, has yielded the substantial ruins of a brick-built curious structure. It has also yielded some busts of princely male figures, Hindu God, Goddess structure, potteries of early medieval origin etc. On stylistic ground they may be dated in circa 5th-6th century AD. Gold and silver coin from Emperor Jehangir's time is also displayed here.[17]
Bell's Park, Barisal
Bangabandhu Udyan popularly known as Bell's Park is a historic urban park and recreation area situated at the heart of Barisal, a city in south-central Bangladesh. This park is one of the beautiful areas in Barisal with a playground, walkway, helipad, many trees and a lake adjacent to it.[18]
Address: Model College Road,Barisal, Barisal
Mainamati, Comilla
Also known as: ময়নামতী
Moinamoti is an isolated low, dimpled range of hills, dotted with more than 50 ancient Buddhist settlements dating between the 8th and 12th century CE. It was part of the ancient Tripura division of Bengal. It extends through the centre of the district of Comilla in Bangladesh. Moinamoti is located almost 8 miles from the city of Comilla. It is the home of one of the most important Buddhist archaeological sites in the region. Comilla Cantonment is located nearby and houses a beautiful colonial era cemetery. Mainamati is named for the Chandra queen of the same name, mother of Govindachandra. Mainamati is 114 kilometers from Dhaka city through National Highway 1 and is nearly 162 kilometers from Chittagong. Also, there is a Buddhist temple beside it.[19]
Collectorate Bhaban, Barisal
Building. Barishal Collectorate Bhaban or Barisal Collectorate Bhaban is British colonial administrative building located in Sadar Upazila of Barisal District in Bangladesh. It is now classified as a protected site of the Department of Archaeology. The government of Bangladesh has turned the building into a museum named Barisal Divisional Museum which was inaugurated on 8 June 2015.[20]
Rupsha Rail Bridge, Khulna
Rupsha Railway Bridge is a railway bridge on Rupsha River under construction. This bridge will connect Khulna with Port of Mongla by railway network. Bangladesh Railway and Indian Larsen & Toubro Limited signed an agreement to construct the bridge. The bridge will be 5.13 kilometres long.[21]
Puthia Rajbari, Pabna District
Also known as: পুঠিয়া রাজবাড়ী
Historical place in Puthia, Bangladesh. Puthia Rajbari is a palace in Puthia Upazilla, Rajshahi in Bangladesh, built in 1895, for Rani Hemanta Kumari Debi, it is an example of Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture. The palace is sited on the Rajshahi Natore highway 30 km from the east of the town and one km south from Rajshahi Natore highway. It is currently used by Lashkarpur Degree College but is in a poor state of repair.[22]
Puthia, Pabna District
Also known as: পুঠিয়া মন্দির চত্বর
The Puthia Temple Complex consists of a cluster of notable old Hindu temples in Puthia Upazila, Rajshahi District, Bangladesh. Located 23 km to the east of Rajshahi city, it has the largest number of historic temples in Bangladesh. The temples were built by Hindu Zamindars Rajas of the Puthia Raj family who were noted philanthropists of Rajshahi. The temples have been built in terracotta in a variety of styles combining the typical Jor-bangla architecture with other influences. The Rajbari or Palace of the Raja of Puthia and the Dol Mancha are part of the complex. The temples are laid out around a lake with a sprawling lawn.
The Puthia Raj family was established by a holy man named Bhatsacharya, who lived in the 16th century. Raja Man Singh, governor of the Mughal emperor Akbar, confiscated the Jagir of the refractory pathan jagirdar of Rajshahi named Lashker Khan and bestowed the Zamindary on the saintly Bhatsacharya for his learning, but he declined. However, his son Pitambar was granted the Lashkarpur estate permanently. On his death, his son Nilambar received the title of Raja from Emperor Jahangir. The Puthia Royal Family estate was the second largest zamindary and the wealthiest in British Bengal. After India's partition, the then Pakistani government abolished the zamindary system and confiscated all Hindu properties. The Royal Family migrated to India shortly afterwards.[23]
Jahangirabad Cantonment, Bogra
Jahangirabad Cantonment is located in Bogra, is a Cantonment near Bogra city Bypass road. It is the HQ of 11th artillery brigade.[24]
Uttara Ganabhaban, Pabna District
Also known as: উত্তরা গণভবন
The Uttara Ganabhaban is an 18th-century royal palace also known as Dighapatia Palace as it was formerly the seat of the Dighapatia Raj, an aristocratic landed estate in the East Bengal of India. It is a fine example of a jomidar bari. It was built by Raja Doyaram who was the Dewan of Rani Bhavanee. It has a round clock on its front gate with a large bell and a clock room. The clock was imported from Italy. It also has a beautiful garden full of various foreign trees and Italian marble stone statues of women. It is located near Natore town in North Bengal. It serves as the principal residence of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister in the northern part of the country. It has been used as a ceremonial site for receiving foreign ambassadors.[25]