Popular tourist spots of Bangladesh
The Business Standard brings you a list of some popular places, which are attracting huge tourists
The travel and tourism sectors have slowly opening up which had come to a sudden standstill and faced extreme misery due to the novel coronavirus outbreak across the globe.
The World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) started celebrating the World Tourism Day from 1980 every year on September 27. The purpose is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value.
The theme of this year's World Tourism Day is "Tourism and Rural Development", will celebrate the unique role that tourism plays in providing opportunities outside of big cities and preserving cultural and natural heritage all around the world.
People are now discovering many uncommon places to relax. Besides the largest and popular tourist spots of Bangladesh there are some new spots which has become very popular in recent time.
The Business Standard brings you a list of some popular places, which are attracting huge tourists:
Nikli haor, Kishoreganj
Nikli haor is one of the beautiful tourist places in Kishoreganj's Nikli Upazila. The distance from Kishoreganj to Nikli is around 25 kilometers.
Nikli Haor visit is a best one-day tour package in small budget where the villages look like an island from the middle of Haor. Monsoon is the best time to visit this place. Tourists can hire the boats to enjoy the haor.
Sajek Valley, Rangamati
Sajek Valley is currently one of the most popular tour destinations for travelers. It is located in the biggest union of Bangladesh, Baghaichari Upazila of Rangamati district, which is 70 kilometers away from Khagrachari district and 40 kilometers from Dighinalala.
In Sajek, the clouds like white cotton, the beautiful mountain in a row fascinate the visitors. Konglak hill is another major attraction for tourists, where the Karnafuli River originates, the Lusai Hills of India can be seen. Sajek is beautiful in all the season. According to the seasons, it gets a new color but the rainy, autumn, and late autumn are the best time to travel Sajek.
Moinot Ghat, Nawabgonj
Moinot Ghat located on the bank of Padma River is popularly as "Mini Cox's Bazar." Moinot Ghat falls under Dohar Upazila of Nawabgonj near Dhaka where people can enjoy the mesmerizing beauty the biggest river of the country, Padma.
Moinot as a day trip destination has become popular. The vast river's view, boat trips and minimal time to reach the destination is well worth to visit. Considering the money and distance, Moinot Ghat is one of the best choice.
Golap Gram, Savar
Golap gram is in Sadullapur village beside Birulia recently has become a very popular tourist place in Dhaka City. Within one hour from Mirpur 1 or Uttara Diabari people can reach Golap gram.
Besides the rose garden, there are Gerbera, Gladiolus and Rosemary gardens in Birulia. There is also an ancient banyan tree near the Birulia Bridge.
Kuakata
Kuakata sea beach Known as Sagar Kannya or the Daughter of the sea, is famous for its panoramic sea beach.
This beach is a lovely mixture of picturesque natural beauty, blue sky and sandy beach. Here people can see 100 years old Buddhist temple and two wells of about 200 years old.
Srimangal
Trekking to Lawachara forest, visiting tea plantation in Srimangal, tour to Madhabpur Lake, tribal villages, trekking to Hamham waterfall, wetlands, Madhabkunda waterfall are one of the main attractions here for tourists.
Guliakhali Sea Beach, Sitakunda
Guliakhali beach is another prospective tourist attraction of Bangladesh. It is situated at Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram district.
The beach is full of greenery, which makes it special.
Here are some popular tourist spots of Bangladesh:
Sundarbans Mangrove Forest:
The Sundarbans, the largest in the world measuring about 40,000 sq km is a mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in Bangladesh's Khulna Division.
The days in between the months of October and March are considered as the best time to visit the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as the weather during these days are more pleasant.
Hit hard by coronavirus, tourism-based businesses in the Sundarbans are waiting for reopening as they suffered huge losses over the past five months. The government restricted tourist gatherings in the Sundarbans on March 19 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Cox's Bazar:
Cox's Bazar sea beach located at Cox's Bazar, known as the longest natural sea beach in the world running 150 kilometres (93 mi). After being closed for about five months due to coronavirus Cox's Bazar sea beach reopened from August 17 on a limited scale.
It is the most visited tourist destination in Bangladesh. Every year millions of foreigner and local visitors visit the beach to enjoy their holidays. People can enjoy sunrise and sunset view in this beach because the sea changes color in those time. Warm shark free water is best for swimming and sunbathing. It is always crowded by tourists. Near the beach, there are hundreds of shops selling souvenirs and beach accessories to the tourists.
There are many Buddhist Temples and tribes, colorful Pagodas and delightful seafood which make Cox's Bazar special.
Chattogram Hill-Tracts:
There is beauty to be found at the most popular attraction in three hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban.
Bandarban: The numerous Buddhist temples, known as kyang in local tongue, and bhihars in the town, Prantik Lake, Jibannagar and Kyachlong Lake are some more places of interest. Boat ride on the river Sangu is one of the main attractions here for tourists.
Khagrachari is an unknown mystery with numerous springs and wild hills. This is the most backward district in terms of tourism among the hill districts.
Kayaking or boating on Kaptai Lake, bathing in Shuvolong waterfall, Holy Rajbana Vihar, Shiver of Rangamati hanging bridge are some main attractions in Rangamati for tourists.
Saint Martin's Island:
Saint Martin's Island in Chattogram Division, is the only coral island of the country.
November to February is the main tourist season with the best weather. Miguel's hot beach spot, great bay beach, pinel island, little bay beach are some main attractions here for tourists.
Saint Martin's has officially reopened for tourism on July 1 after shutdown due to Covid-19.
Sylhet:
Ratargul Swamp Forest: Ratargul Swamp Forest is a heavenly tourist attraction in Sylhet. Covering about 504 acres of land, Ratargul forest connects with Chengir Lake and Gowain River. This forest is composed of diverse kinds of water plants. What makes Ratargul forest exclusive is the amazing beauty of standing trees over the water.
Jaflong: Famous tourist destination Jaflong can give you this outstanding experience. The Dauki River originating from the north Khasi mountains of India flows into Bangladesh with the name "Piyain."
Lying on the bank of 'Piyain' River Jaflong falls under the East Jaflong Union at Guainghat Upazilla in Sylhet.
Bisnakandi: Bisnakandi would cherish your soul if you are a crazy lover of boat journey. Bisnakandi village falls under Rustompur Union at Guainghat Upazilla in Sylhet. Bichanakandi presents a unique natural beauty where several layers of Khasi Mountain summits at a single peak from different sides.
While flowing from the high mountains, the river stream carries huge rocks which naturally get deposited in Bisnakandi. The rolling stones lying over crystal clear water would leave an unforgettable memory in your mind.
Lalakhal: "Lalakhal" canal is situated near Tamabil road in Sylhet. The distance from Sylhet city to Lalakhal is about 35 km.
This canal is connected with the mind-blowing Sharee River, originated from the Meghalaya – a state of India. Being comparatively shallow, the Sharee River is a great source of sand resource in Sylhet.