The capital vibrates with commercial activities, cultural events, educational excellence and political gatherings. Its commercial centre is Motijheel. which bustles with activities during weekdays (Sunday through Thursday). Dhaka's main waterfront, Sadarghat, is on
the bank of the river Buriganga where all kinds of water transport vehicles from yachts to steamers connect the capital with the rest of the country through the network of rivers in the Ganges delta.

Dhaka has several hundred historic mosques. Prominent among them are: The Seven-dome Mosque (17th century), Baitul Mukarram (National Mosque). Star Mosque (18th century), Chawkbazar Mosque and Huseni Dalan Mosque. Among other historic places of worship are the famous Ramkrishna Mission

(11th century), Dhakeshwari Temple, Armenian Church (1781 AD.), St. Mary's Cathedral at Ramna, and Holy Rosary Church (1677 AD.) at Tejgaon.

Built in 1678 AD by Prince Mohammad Azam, son of Moghul emperor Aurangozeb, the fort became the scene of a bloody battle during the first war of independence (1857 AD.) when 250 soldiers backed by the local people revolted against British forces. Outstanding among the monuments of the Lalbagh are the tomb of Pari Bibi, Lalbagh Mosque, Audience Hall and Hammam Khana (bathing place) of Nawab Shaista Khan.

Ahsan Manjil Museum

Situated on the bank of the river Buriganga in Dhaka, the pink majestic Ahsan Manzil has been renovated and turned into a museum. It was the home of the nawab (ruler) of Dhaka. Ahsan Manzil has 3 I rooms with a huge dome atop and 23 galleries displaying portraits, furniture, household articles and utensils used by the nawabs.

Central Shahid Minar

Located in the vicinity of the University of Dhaka, this symbol of Bengali language movement was built to commemorate the martyrs of the 21 st February 1952. Hundreds and thousands of people with floral wreaths and bouquets gather barefoot on this day every year to pay homage to these national heroes.

National Memorial

Located under the unbounded blue sky at Savar, 35 kilometers from Dhaka city, National memorial, designed by the famous architect Moinul Hossain is dedicated to the memory of the millions of unknown martyrs of 1971 war that culminated in the birth of Bangladesh.

National Museum

Established in 1913 AD., the museum was shifted to a new fourstoreyed building at Shahabagh in 1983. It has forty galleries featuring four departments: National History, History and Cultural Art, Ethnography and Decorative Art, and Contemporary art and Civilization. It has a rich collection of paintings, old coins, metal images, world famous embroidered quilts (Nakshi kantha) and much more. You can also find valuable articles of the heroic liberation war here.

Open: SaturdayWednesday. 10.00 a.m. 5.00 p.m. and Friday 3.00 p.m.-8.00 p.m. and closed on Thursday.

Entrance Fee: Tk 10.00
Tel: (880-2) 8619397-99

Mukti Juddha Museum

Situated at Segun Bagicha. the museum contains rare photographs of the Liberation War and items used by the freedom fighters during the period. Tel: (880-2)-9559091

Martyred Intellectuals' Memorial

Located at Mirpur. the memorial was built to commemorate the valiant intellectuals who were killed in 1971 just two days ahead of Victory Day.

Folk Art Museum

In 1975. this museum was built to fulfil the dream of the celebrated painter Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin. It has a very rich collection of folk-themed objects of both aesthetic and utilitarian value.

Open: Saturday-Thursday, 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.
Tel: (880-2)-9716960.

Science Museum

Located at Agargaon. the museum is a modern learning centre related to the latest scientific discoveries.

Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban

The parliament house, designed by famous architect Louisl Kahn. is located at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. It boasts some distinctive architectural features; there is a big creak with lotus in front of it

National Poet's Graveyard

Adjacent to the Dhaka university central mosque is the graveyard of the national poet. Kazi Nazrul Islam. who died on 29 August 1976.

Bahadur Shah Park/Victoria Park (1857 Memorial)

The Park was built to commemorate the martyrs of the first Liberation War (1857-59) against the British rule. It was here that the revolting soldiers and their civil compatriots were publicly hanged.

Old High Court Building

Originally built as the residence of the British Governor, this courthouse provides a unique blend of two different architectural trends: European and Moghul.

Buddhist Monastery

Located at Badda, Dhaka, the monastery features Buddhist architecture.

Banga Bhaban

Located at the heart of the capital, Banga Bhaban is the residence of the President.

Suhrawardy Uddayan

Located near Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, this popular park in the city, formerly known as the Race Course, is the spot where the commander of the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered on 16th December 1971.

Ramna Green

It is a vast stretch of green garden surrounded by a lake, near Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.

Shankhari Bazar

This is a narrow street connecting Nawabpur Road with Islam pur Road. The street is flanked by shops with conch shell bangles, musical instruments, statues and costumes. Islampur also boasts the guild of gold and silver-smiths.

Baldha Garden

Established in 1904, by the late Narendra Narayan Roy, the garden is located in Wari (opposite to the Christian cemetery). This garden boasts a rich collection of indigenous and exotic plants.

Open: Saturday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Friday closed. Entry tickets are available on the gate.

National Botanical Garden

Located at Mirpur, near Dhaka Zoo, this garden has a collection of nearly 100 species of local and foreign plants; 100 varieties of roses in the rose corner, 100 varieties of bamboo in the bamboo grove.

Open: Saturday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-5 :00 p.m.

Dhaka Zoological Garden (formerly, Mirpur Zoo)

Established on 230 acres of land, this zoo at Mirpur has nearly 1500 animals and birds belonging to 128 species. Busy enclosures are those of lions, Royal Bengal Tigers, panthers, deer, monkeys, chimpanzees, pythons, crocodiles, and elephants, among others.
Open: Daily 8:00 am- 6:00 pm. Tickets are available at the gate.

National Park

Situated at Bhawal, 40 kilometers north of Dhaka on TrisalMymensingh highway, the National Park spreads on 16,000 acres, with national recreational forests and animals, including small tigers, leopards, small bears, monkeys, porcupines and foxes. There are 20 picnic spots and 6 rest-houses, which can be booked in advance at the Divisional Forest office, Mohakhali, Dhaka. Tel: 880-2-8814700

Others

There are other attractions too such as Bhasani Novo Theatre (Planetorium), Fantasy Kingdom (Theme Park), Nandan Park (Theme Park) and soon.

Sonargaon

About 29 km. from Dhaka, Sonargaon of the 13th century A.D. is one of the oldest capitals of Bengal. A Folk-Arts and Craft Museum has been established here. Among
the ancient monuments still intact ones are the tomb of Sultan Abdul Alia and a shabby but beautiful mosque in Goaldi villa.