Bangladesh is surprisingly underrated when it comes to travel destinations, even though its stunning features 100% make it a bucket list destination.
Bangladesh is not normally the first on anyone’s list of countries to visit. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be or that it doesn’t have a wealth of things to see and explore. It is an undiscovered destination with a rich culinary culture. If one does find oneself in Bangladesh, be sure to try out their many delicious street foods.
Much of what one will find in Bangladesh is similar to what one would find in the neighboring parts of India. India is a country that everyone should visit (although there are a number of things to watch out for). Bangladesh has fewer tourists and is a destination just waiting to be discovered.
Bangladesh and Its Attractions
Bangladesh is the eighth-most populated country in the world (so expect many large crowds). It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world (imagine half of the USA population living in Iowa).
- Size: 148,000 Square Kilometers or 57,000 Square Miles (about The Size of Illinois or Iowa)
- Population: Over 163 Million
- Dhaka: Capital and Largest City
Bangladesh first emerged with the Partition of British India in 1947. The Muslim majority part of Bengal was carved off and became East Pakistan. In 1971 it gained independence from Pakistan and become modern Bangladesh.
Today Bangladesh has many attractions for tourists including historical monuments, beaches, forests, tribal people, delicious cuisine, resorts, and more. Tourists should be mentally prepared that Bangladesh has high levels of poverty and some key infrastructure (like roads) leave much to be desired.
- Cox’s Bazar: Possibly The Longest Unbroken Sandy Beach In The World
But Bangladeshis are very welcoming of tourists and one is sure to have a memorable time. One can enjoy activities like rowing, hiking, river cruising, and other outdoor activities. But the greatest draws to this glossed over South Asian country are likely is forts and other monuments, its food, and its colorful culture.
Examples of Attractions In Northern Bangladesh
In the north of Bangladesh, one can find archeological attractions like the temple city Puthia, the ancient archeological site of Mahasthangarh, Somapura Mahavihara (the single largest Buddhist monastery by acreage), and the Kantaji Temple – the most ornamental terracotta Hindu temple.
Somapura Mahavihara: The Somapura Mahavihara is one of the best-known Buddhist viharas (monasteries) in the subcontinent. It is regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites in Bangladesh and has been listed as a World Heritage Site since 1985.
- Built: 8th Century AD
- Designated: UNESCO Listed Since 1985
- Largest: It is One of The Single Largest Buddhist Monasteries
Mahasthangarh: Mahasthangarh is one of the oldest known urban archaeological sites in Bangladesh. It contains the ruins of an ancient city called Pundranagara. It dates to around the 3rd century BC and was abandoned in the 8th century AD.
- Oldest: One of The Earliest Urban Sites Found In Bangladesh
Kantanagar Temple: This is a very impressive late-medieval Hindu temple in northern Bangladesh. The temple is dedicated to Krishna and his wife Rukmini. Its construction commenced around 1704 AD and was completed in 1722. It is a fine example of terracotta architecture in Bangladesh. It once had nine spires but these were destroyed in an earthquake.
- Terracotta: Known As One of The Most Ornament Terracota Hindu Temples
- Built: In The 1700s
- Dedicated: To Krishna
Sundarbans Mangroves
Another UNESCO-listed site is the Sundarbans Mangroves on the country’s southern coast. It is located on the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal.
This ecoregion is the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem and forms the seaward fringe of the massive delta. The tides are so large here that a third of the land disappears at high tide. These mangroves are home to the royal Bengal tiger (as well as spotted deer, crocodiles, and many species of birds).
- Size: 20,400 Square Kilometers or 7,900 Square Miles
- Designated: UNESCO World Heritage Site Since 1987
- Bengal Tiger: the Bengal Tiger Lives In The Sundarbans
- Accessible: Almost All The Forests Are Accessible by Boat
Consider Visiting With An Organized Tour
Bangladesh is a great destination for the intrepid traveler with many things to see and do. It is not possible to list out many of them here but it is one of the world’s forgotten destinations.
Tip: Take a Guided Tour About Bangladesh For The First-Timers
Tourist infrastructure here may not be do developed and so one may consider taking an organized tour of Bangladesh. Nijhoom Tours offers many tour packages of Bangladesh. They range from 1 to 7-day packages and cover different parts of the country.
Many more tours are listed on Viator. These tours range from day tours around the capital Dakha to 9-day expeditions discovering the best of the country’s attractions.
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