Dhaka: Cultural History, Forest and Water

Forest and Water in Gazipur and Munshiganj

The forest area of Sreepur in Gazipur is a major tourist attraction. Different animal and bird species live among trees, shrubs, vines and other vegetation. The Bhawal forest area also combines forest and water: it has a lake that visitors can circle by boat. Check current local conditions before making plans.

Boat trips on the Turag in Gazipur are possible throughout the year. You should take current river conditions and local operators into account. Arial Beel in Srinagar Upazila, Munshiganj District, offers another way to get out on the water. The wetland covers 136 square kilometres and can be explored by boat. These examples differ in character: boat trips on the Turag are described as available year-round, while no season is specified for Arial Beel; at Bhawal forest, the focus is on circling a lake.

Forts, Museums and Archaeological Sites

Lalbagh Fort, also known as Fort Aurangabad, is an unfinished 17th-century Mughal fortress complex in southwest Dhaka. Ahsan Manzil in Dhaka has a different historical significance: the building was the official residential palace and seat of the Nawab of Dhaka and is designated a national museum. The Bangladesh National Museum is also located in the Shahbag area; its collections span from prehistoric times to the present. The cultural points of interest therefore range from a fortress complex and a former palace to collections covering a broad sweep of time.

Sonargaon offers a distinct perspective on archaeology, architecture and everyday life. Panam City is an archaeological site in Sonargaon Upazila, Narayanganj District. Sonargaon's architecture spans the Sultanate, Mughal and colonial periods. At the Folk Art and Craft Museum in Sonargaon, two exhibition galleries depict everyday life in Bangladesh. The archaeological site, the architectural periods and the museum galleries each have a different focus, so no single attraction has to represent the entire cultural offering.

Architecture from the 17th to the 19th Century

Specific examples of different architectural styles can also be found outside Dhaka. Atia Mosque is in Delduar Upazila, Tangail District, and dates from the 17th century. Terracotta features on its eastern and northern exterior walls. Baliati Zamindar Bari is in Baliati village, Saturia Upazila, Manikganj District. It is considered one of the finest examples in Bangladesh of a 19th-century monument in the Renaissance-colonial style. Together, the two sites illustrate different historical contexts: Atia Mosque is notable for its construction date and terracotta on specific exterior walls, while Baliati Zamindar Bari is associated with a 19th-century style.

Choose a Focus for Your Holiday Rental

Those especially interested in cultural history can make the fortress complex, museums, Panam City and the named architectural sites the focus of their trip. For nature and water, Sreepur, Bhawal forest, the Turag and Arial Beel offer different landscapes and boating activities. If you want to combine several themes, check that the places you plan to visit match the location you want for your holiday rental before booking.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Dhaka, Kamarpara, Dhanbari, Mawa, Kishoreganj, Chittagong, Khulna Division and Barisal Division.

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