Bangladesh Travel Guide

Anyone visiting Bangladesh can look forward to a storybook setting of famous rivers, ancient ruins and arresting religious sites. The country's tourism infrastructure remains relatively undeveloped, so adventurous travellers can expect a captivating and authentic experience rather than a polished one.

Most visitors venture out from the capital, Dhaka, where cramped streets connect a sprawl of low-rise buildings in the frenetic city centre. Rain-washed colonial structures, an ever-present cacophony of car horns and rickshaw bells, and the sheer density of life lend the capital an unmistakable energy that's as intimidating as it is intoxicating. Fortunately, locals are renowned for their friendliness and inquisitive streak, which, along with the country's excellent Bengali cuisine, go a long way towards making travellers feel welcome.

The Sundarbans, lying to the southwest of Dhaka, are famous for their vast mangrove forests and for being one of the Bengal tiger's last refuges. This jungle-choked region is best explored by boat, with travel by river offering the most practical (and atmospheric) way to experience the landscape.

Among the country's lesser-known attractions are the remains of the Buddhist monastic complex at Paharpur, the most spectacular pre-Islamic monument in Bangladesh, and the 15th-century mosques and mausoleums of Bagerhat. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and offer a glimpse into the country's deep and varied past.

While poor infrastructure and an underdeveloped tourist industry can make travel slow and occasionally challenging, they also contribute to the sense of discovery that defines a visit to Bangladesh. It's less a destination for ticking off sights than a place to engage patiently with daily life and remain open to unfamiliar rhythms and ways of being.