Tourism in Bangladesh

Tourism in Bangladesh
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BANGLADESH COUNTRY PROFILE Bangladesh as a vacation land has many facets. Her tourist attractions include archaeological sites, historic mosques and monuments, resorts, beaches, picnic spots, forest and wildlife. Bangladesh offers opportunities for angling, water-skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing, surfing, yachting and sea bathing as well as bringing one in close touch with Mother Nature. She is also rich in wildlife and game birds. LOCATION AND PHYSICAL FEATURES Bangladesh is situated in the north-eastern part of south Asia. It lies between 20' 34' and 2e 36' north latitude and 88' I' and 92' 41' east longitude. The heary and great Himalayas stand as the northen ramparts, while the southern frontier is guarded by the Bay of Bengal. On the west lies the expansive gangetic plains (West Bengal) of India and on the eastern frontier lies the almost impassable forest of Myanmar (Arakan Province) and India (Tripura and Assam hills). These picturesque geographical boundaries delineate out a low lying plain of about 147,570 sq.km. (55,598 sq. miles) criss -crossed by innumerable brooks, rivers, rivulets and streams. Mighty rivers the Padma, Jamuna, Meghna, Karnaphuli and others flow through Bangladesh. The unscalable blue is stretched high above, and the green and silvery landscape below runs far and beyond. This is Bangladesh, a fertile land where nature is bounteous. HISTORY The history of Bangladesh has been one of extremes, of turmoil and peace, prosperity and destitution. It has thrived under the glow of cultural spiendour and suffered under the ravages of war. The earliest mention of Bangladesh is found in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata (the story of Great Battle-9th century B.C). Evidence also suggests that there was a strong Mongoloid presence as well. Soon after, in the 5th and 6th centuries B.C. came the Aryans from Central Asia and the Dravidians from Western India. Then came the Guptas, Palas, Senas, who were Buddhist and Hindus. From the 13th century A.D. the flood of Muslim invaders and the tide of Islam swamped the Buddhist and Hindus untold 8th century. Sometimes there were independent rulers like the Hussain Shahi and Ilyas Shahi dynasties while at other times they ruled on behalf of the imperial seat of Delhi. From 15th century the Europeans, namely; Portuguese, Dutch, French and British traders exerted an economic influence over the region. British political rule over the region began in 1757 A.D. when the last Muslim ruler of Ben. gal was defeated at Palassey. In 1947 the country was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Present Bangladesh becomes the Eastern Wing of the then Pakistan. But the movement for autonomy for East Pakistan started within a couple of years because of language and cultural difference and

economic disparity between the two wings. The seeds of independence were sown through the Language Movement of 1952 to recognize Bangla as a state language. Ultimately the then East Pakistan emerged as a sovereign and independent state of Bangladesh in 1971 after nine month long war of Liberation (starting on 26 March 1971) in which 3 million people courted martyrdom.

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Tourism in Bangladesh

Attractive Locations

Major Tourist Sites

Tourist Map

CHITTAGONG A picturesque region of large forested hills and lakes, Chittagong is a wonderful holidaying spot The city itself is the second largest in Bangladesh and is a busy international seaport and airport. Its lush green hills and forests, broad sandy beaches and fine cool climate attract holiday seekers. Chittagong is a major hub of industries, trade and commerce. The country's only oil refinery is located here. Chittagong is connected with Dhaka by rail, road, air and water. The world class Shah Amanat International Airport with all modern facilities is a recent addition to the city. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation offers tourist class accommodation at Motel Shaikat with restaurant service in Chittagong City. Rangamati A 77 km. road connects Chittagong Hill Rangamati, the headquarters of Rangamati Hill district. Ramgamati offers spectacular natural scenery -- thick forested hills lakes, and a wide variety of flowers, plants and birds. The township is located on the western bank of the Kuptai Lake. Rangamati is a favoured holiday resort furs its breathtaking beauty, its colorful tribal life, its hanging bridge, homespun textile products and ivory jewelers. The tribal museum in Rangamati is well worth a visit.

Cox s Bazar Miles of golden sands, tall Cliffs, surfing waves, rare conch shells, colorful pagodas. Buddhist temples and tribes, delightful sea-food all these make Cox's Bazar what it is, the tourist capital of Bangladesh. The world's longest unbroken (120 km.) beach, still unspoiled, slopes gently down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal against the picturesque background of a chain of green hills. The beach welcomes tourists for bathing, sunbathing and swimming. The breathtaking beauty of the setting-sun behind the waves of the sea is captivating. Handmade cigars and handsome products of the Rakhayne tribal families are good buys. Located at a distance of 152 km. South of Chittagong, Cox s Bazar is connected both by air and road with Dhaka and Chittagong.

Kantaji's Temple This temple near Dinajpur town was built in 1752 by Maharaja Pran Nath of Dinajpur. The temple, a 50'square three-storied edifice, rests on a slightly curved raised plinth of sandstone blocks, believed to have been quarried from the ruins of the ancient city of Bangarh near Gangarampur in West Bengal from where the now stolen Radha-Krishna idols are said to have been brought. It was originally a navaratna temple, crowned with four richly ornamental corner towers on two storey and a central one over the third storey. Unfortunately these ornate towers collapsed during an earthquake at the end of the 19th century. Every inch of the temple surface is beautifully embellished with exquisite terracotta plaques, representing T1ora, fauna, geometric motifs, mythological scenes and an astonishing array of contemporary social scenes and favorite pastimes. The Maharaja's palace with relics of the past centuries and local museum are worth a visit. Paharpur By far the most spectacular Buddhist monuments, discovered in regular excavation is the gigantic temple and monastery at Paharpur in the Noagoan district. Architecturally and historically Paharpur Vihara is a treasured heritage of the world. It has been identified from a set of inscribed clay seals, as the reputed Somapura Vihara, of the great Pala emperor Dharmapala. It is the biggest Vihara south of the Himalayas. This immense quadrangular monastery with 177 monastic cells enclosing the coutyard, its elaborate northern gateway and numerous votive stupas, minor chapels and extensive ancillary buildings within the 22 acre courtyard, is dominated by a lofty pyramidal temple in the centre. A site museum houses the representative collections of objects recovered from the area. The excavated finds have also been preserved at the Varendra Research Museum at Rajshahi. Mainamati Mainamati once known as 'Samatata' denotes a land lying almost even with the sea-level. An isolated eleven mile long spur of dimpled low hill range known as the Mainamati Lalmai range runs through the middle of Comilla district from north to south. Excavation on this range has revealed over 50 ancient sites dotting the hills, mostly containing various types of Buddhist remains of the 8th to 12th centuries A.D. Excavations at a number of sites, locally known as Salban Vihara, Kutila Mura, Ananda Rajar Badi, Charpatra Mura, Mainamati Ranir Badi from 1955 till todate, besides exposing many Buddhist monasteries, temples and stupas, have also yielded a rich collection of stones and bronze sculptures of various gods and goddesses, coins, reliquaries, royal copper plate grants, terracotta plaques, jewellery, pots and pans and other miscellaneous objects of daily use which eloquently speak of the glorious cultural attainments of the period. Salban Vihara is an extensive centre of Buddhist culture of 8th to 12th century. The attractions include Buddhist Vihara (monastery) with imposing central shrine, Kotila Mura, another Buddhist establishment 5 km. north of Salban Vihara. Charpatra Mura an islolated shrine about 2.5 km north-west of Kotila Mura and Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development, known for its pioneering role in cooperative movement in the country. Mainamati is only 114 km. from Dhaka city and is just two hours drive on way to Chittagong. News | Tender | Events | Feedback | FAQ | Sitemap | Related Links | Webmail

Copyright 2006, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. All Rights Reserved.

Financed & Organized by: SICT Developed by: BIDS