Dhaka is a frenzied city that bubbles over with energy. A true melting pot, the diverse capital throbs with culture, color and art. No matter how many times you visit, Dhaka always impresses and delights. The mega-city has something for everyone, from the posh restaurants of Guishan to the charming riverbanks of Old Dhaka. Move with the city's beat, immerse yourself in the whirl of art, culture and history, and be prepared to fall in love with the Bangladeshi capital.
Dhaka is the cultural center of Bangladesh, and the National Museum offers a great introduction to the country. The expansive collection tells the country's story beginning with its geological formation, then whisks visitors through the Buddhist and Hindu past before detailing the nation's flora and fauna. Other exhibits highlight the War of Liberation and the birth of modern Bangladesh.
The Liberation War Museum further expands on one of the most deadly wars of the 20th century. Two floors display photographs, reports and memorabilia about the war, and a room full of personal items, photos of rotting corpses and a pile of human bones and skulls leaves visitors feeling hauntingly connected to the 1971 conflict.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the founding father of Bangladesh, and his former residence has been transformed into a memorial museum. The rare collection includes many photographs and personal effects of the leader, who was murdered in 1975. Dhaka has a number of other notable memorials and monuments. The 1857 Memorial commemorates the martyrs killed during the first Liberation War against the British from 1857 to 1859. The memorial is built on the site where many revolutionary fighters were hanged publicly.
The Central Shaheed Minar is an icon of Bengali nationalism that commemorates the martyrs killed in 1952 during the historic language movement. Each year, thousands of locals pay their respects to the fallen on February 21, International Mother Language Day. The Jatiyo Smriti Soudho memorial stands in honor of the martyrs killed during the 1971 War of Liberation, the Mausoleum of National Leaders is the final resting place of Bangladesh's greatest heroes, and the National Poet's Graveyard pays tribute to the country's most celebrated writers.
The capital is home to many remarkable religious sights, including the sprawling International Buddhist Monastery, the 17th-century Hussaini Dalan Mosque, the artistic Dhammarajika Bouddha Maha Vihar Buddhist temple and the Baitul Mukarram Mosque, the world's tenth largest mosque. Other religious sights worth visiting include the Portuguese-style Holy Rosary Church, the Chawk Mosque in Old Dhaka, the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection and the Hindu Ramakrishna Mission.
Visitors can step into the Mughal past by exploring the Lalbagh Fort. Located in Old Dhaka, the fort was built in 1678 and later played host to many bloody battles, including those throughout the Mughal era and during the War of Liberation. The gardens and lawns are strikingly peaceful, the buildings are well-preserved, and the museum is well worth a visit.
The National Botanical Gardens offer 40 hectares of heaven within the chaos of the city. More than 1,000 species of native and foreign plants grow on the spectacular sight, creating a tranquil and lush paradise. The Dhaka Zoo is nearby, where visitors can ride elephants for pocket change and gaze at the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. The zoo's 186 acres are home to over 2,0000 animals from 134 species.
Other sights worth exploring in Dhaka include the presidential palace of Bangabhaban, the Ahsan Manzil “Pink Palace,” the Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban parliament building, the Old High Court Building, the rich Baldha Garden and the Suhrawardi Uddan, a sprawling park with many monuments and memorials.