Dhaka, BangladeshDhaka
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dhaka_skyline1.jpg
Author: Tanweer
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Dhaka is the capital as well as biggest city in Bangladesh. This bustling metropolis is home to 13 million people, making it one of the biggest cities in South Asia and one of the most densely populated cities in the world.

The modern city of Dhaka was built by the British over the ancient city of the Mughals which was known as Jahangir Nagar. Under the British it was the second biggest city in Bengal after Calcutta (now Kolkata).

Dhaka, BangladeshView of a heavily congested street in Dhaka
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dhakarushhour_%2854%29.JPG
Author: Soman
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Dhaka is one of the cities where the income disparity between the rich minority and the poor majority is glaringly obvious. With some 400,000 cycle rickshaws, Dhaka is acknowledged as the "Rickshaw Capital of the World". The city experiences a tropical climate. The summers, from April to August, can be stiflingly hot. Visitors from temperate countries will find the weather more comfortable in winter, between October to March, when the temperature is around 20°C.

Lalbagh Fort, DhakaLalbagh Fort, Dhaka
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lalbager_Kella_01.jpg
Author: Sfaisal2005
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Travel to Dhaka

The main international gateway is the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, served by Thai Airways, GMG Airlines and Dragon Air. Budget travelers can take AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur.

Travel within Dhaka

Dhaka is a very congested city with rickshaws and pedestrians everywhere you look. You can naturally cover certain distances on foot, but to go place to place, getting some form of transportation is more practical.

The cycle rickshaw is the most ubiquitous form of transportation. As a foreigner, you should negotiate carefully before boarding to avoid getting fleeced. Women travelers should also avoid traveling about alone at night.

In addition to the cycle rickshaws, there are also auto-rickshaws which gets you places faster. They are the preferred form of transport for distances not practical for cycle rickshaws. They run by meter, and the flag fall rate is Tk 13.50.

Curzon Hall, DhakaCurzon Hall, Dhaka
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corner_view_of_Curzon_Hall_DU.JPG
Author: Mir Mahadi Hassan
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Places of Interest in Dhaka

  1. 1857 Memorial
    Memorial commemorating martyrs of the first liberation war of 1857-59.

  2. Ahsan Manjil
    The pink palace, with exhibition area and garden.

  3. Baitul Mukarram-National Mosque
    One of the major mosques of Dhaka, built in 1962.

  4. Baldha Garden
    Garden with many indigenous and exotic plants established in 1904.

  5. Banga Bhaban
    Official residence of the President of Bangladesh, not opened to the public, but can be viewed from the outside.

  6. Curzon Hall
    Colonial style building named after Lord Curzon, today housing the Science Faculty of the University of Dhaka.

  7. Dhakeshwari Temple
    Hindu temple established in the 11th century.

  8. Lalbagh Fort
    Fort built in 1678 by Prince Mohammad Azam, the son of Mughal emperor Aurangazeb.

  9. National Memorial
    Memorial commemorating those who died in the war of liberation.

  10. Pari Bibi's Tomb
    Mausoleum with Lalbagh Fort.

  11. Parliament House of Bangladesh
    Also called Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, a distinctive building by a famous architect.

  12. Sonargaon
    A town about 29 km from Dhaka which was an old capital of Bengal during the 13th century.

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