Suhrawardy Uddyan : At a stones throw from Dhaka Sheraton Hotel is the Suhrawardy Uddyan, formerly known as the
Race Course, the popular park of the city. It is here that the oath for independence of Bangladesh was taken on the 7th March
1971 and curiously enough again it is here that the commander of the occupation forces surrendered on the 16th December 1971.
Shishu Park : The Child Education & Recreation Park is located in a corner of the Suhrawardy Uddyan.
Central Shahid Minar : This monument is the symbol of Bangladesh Nationalism. It was built to commemorate the martyrs
of historic Language Movement of 1952. Although this movement was apparently for the recognition of Bangla as one of the state
languages of the then Pakistan, it was in fact, the first outburst of popular feelings against the unpopular and autocratic
government. All subsequent movements in Bangladesh leading to her independence in 1971, owe their origin to this movement
and, therefore, this monument has become a place of pilgrimage for millions of Bangladeshis.
Banga Bbaban : Tourists can have an external view of Banga Bhaban, the official residence of the Head of the State
- the President.
Lalbagh Fort : The Fort of Aurangabad, popularly known as the Lalbagh Fort, was built in 1678 A.D. by Prince Mohammed
Azam, son of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb, who was then the Viceroy of Bengal. The fort has a three storeyed structure with
slender minarets at the south gate. It has many hidden passages and a mosque of massive structure. Outstanding among the monuments
of the Lalbagh Fort are the Tomb of Pari Bibi (fairy lady) and Audience and Hammam of Nawab Shaista Khan now housing a museum.
Also see Ancient Archaelogical Sites of Bangladesh.
Boroe Katra : A building of grand scale, now almost in ruins is one of the most important remains of the Mughal
period in Dhaka. It is of the type of Katra' (enclosed quardrangle building) with a gigantic frontage towards the river Buriganga.
It was built by Abul Qasim, Dewan of Shah Shuja in l644 A.D. It served the purpose of a caravan serai.
Ch'hotoe Katra : Situated about 200 yards east of Boroe Katra, Ch'hotoe Katra was built in 1663 A.D. by Nawab Shaista
Khan. This is of similar plan and purpose as the Boroe Katra but smaller in size.
National Museum : The museum contains a large number of interesting collections including sculptures and paintings
of the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim periods as well as inscriptions of the Holy Quran in Arabic and Persian letters and Bengali
works in the Arabic script. The Museum also has a rich collection of old coins metal images, books on art, ivory and silver
filigree works.
National Art Gallery : Situated in the Shilpakala Academy premises, this has a representative collection of folk
art and painting by artists of Bangladesh.
National Assembly Complex :
"Jatyo Sangsad" or the National Assembly - an architectural wonder
was designed by none other
than Luis Kahn
Sangsad Bhaban, the National Assembly Complex in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar designed by the famous architect Luis Kahn has distinctive
architectural features.
Baldha Garden : Baldha Garden has rare collection of botanical plants and flowers.
Ramna Green : Ramna Park is a vast stretch of green surrounded by a serpentine lake.
Zoological Garden : Called Mirpur Zoo, it is situated in Mirpur, 16 km NW of Dhaka, on 230 acres of land.
Botanical Garden : Built over an area of 205 acres of land at Mirpur, just east of the Zoo for the purpose of botanical
education, research, preservation of plant and recreation.
National Park : Situated in Rajendrapur, 40 km north of Dhaka, within Joydevpur Upazilla in the magnificent Bhawal
region on Dhaka - Trishal - Mymensingh highway, this is a vast (1,600 acres) national recreational forest, ideal for those
who love nature.
National Memorial :
"Jatyo Sritee Shoudhow" - The National Memorial
Located in Savar, in the suburb of Dhaka city is the National Memorial. It was built to commemorate the martyrs of the
war of independence. Jahangir Nagar University and its sprawling campus is also locted nearby. An attractive village bazaar
(hut) is held at Savar very Saturday and Tuesday where typical Bangladeshi sweets, vegetables, fish, seasonal fruits and handicrafts
are available.
Institute of Arts and Crafts : Situated in the picturesque surroundings of Shahbagh, the Institute of Arts and Crafts
has a representative collection of folk art and paintings by artists of Bangladesh.
Sonargaon : About 29 km. from Dhaka, Sonargaon is one of the oldest capitals of Bengal. It was the seat of Deva
Dynasty until the 13th century. From then onwards till the advent of the Mughals, Sonargaon was a subsidiary capital of the
Sultanate of Bengal. Among the ancient monuments still intact, are the tomb of Sultan Ghiasuddin (1399 - 1409 A.D.), the shrines
of Panjpirs and Shah Abdul Alla and a beautiful mosque in Goaldi village. A Folk Art and Crafts Museum has also been established
in Sonargaon.
Picnic Spots : There are good picnic spots in the area around Savar and Mirzapur. Other beauty spots connected by
road with Dhaka include Joydebpur, Sripur, Modhupur, Rajendrapur National Park, Chandra and Salna, all of which have rest
houses that can be used by tourists on request to the Forest Department. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation owns two picnic spots
with Bungalows at Chandra and Salna which can also be hired by tourists.