Dhaka
Discover Dhaka
Dhaka (formerly known as Dacca) (Bengali: ঢাকা) is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. It is the largest city by population in the historical region of Bengal and a major city in South Asia. It is a hub for trade and culture, with a long history as a Bengali capital. It has been called the City of Mosques and the Venice of the East, due to its Islamic architecture and a riverfront facing the Buriganga (Old Ganges). It is also known as the Rickshaw Capital of the World, as there are over 500,000 cycle rickshaws running on its roads. Although it is described as a concrete jungle, Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks. Dhaka emerged as a cosmopolitan city during the Mughal Empire. Today, Dhaka is South Asia's second most populous capital after Delhi and an important financial center alongside Mumbai and Karachi.
What to Experience in Dhaka
Taste of Dhaka...
Dhaka has an enormous variety of food catering to all budgets. Old Dhaka is overflowing with cheap Bangladeshi food where a meal can cost from Tk 50. In the upscale areas such as Gulshan and Banani there are Chinese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Greek and Mexican restaurants, and franchises such as Pizza Hut and KFC - all at prices that the majority can't afford. Reservations are usually not required in most restaurants. A lot of the Buffet-style restaurants in this area have Tk 250–400, fixed price menu. Local sweets (misti/mishti) like rasogollah and golap jam/pantuya/ledikeni are excellent, these are bite-sized soft milk curd balls dipped (drenched) in syrup, and come in white and red varieties. Shops throughout the town (and especially near Gulshan) sell imported condiments from Dubai, Europe, Malaysia and the US at a premium. Imported chocolate is especially expensive - and usually not in the best condition as it gets melted and re-solidified daily in the tropical heat. Fresh is better. Be careful when buying food from street vendors as health and hygiene standards are not always top notch. Unlike Bangkok—street food in Dhaka is only for locals. Foreigners should stick to larger, organized (and unfortunately a little expensive) food outlets. In organized food outlets or in street stalls stick with more popular outlets where there are people inside or in line as that can indicate quality as the locals (and some travellers) and most likely to be clean and good eating.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Dhaka into what it is today.
The earliest settlements in the region date back 2,500 years. Dhaka was the capital of Bengal during the Mughal Empire in the 17th century. As the seat of administration and commerce in the Bengal Delta, the wealthiest and most fertile region in the Empire, it became one of the largest and most prosperous cities in Asia. Proclaimed as the provincial capital in 1608, Mughal Dhaka had a population of one-million people, with well-laid out gardens, monuments, tombs, forts, mosques, temples, and churches. The city was home to Armenian, Persian, Greek, Arab, Portuguese, French, Dutch, and English merchants. Its riverbanks were once dotted with numerous stately mansions and the city was described as the Venice of the East. The Dhaka District was famous worldwide for its fine cotton muslin fabrics. The British East India Company took control of the city in 1793. In British Bengal, Dhaka and its sister city Calcutta played a tale of two cities in the region, greatly affecting the course of events in the British Raj. The short-lived Partition of Bengal in 1905 established Dhaka as the capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam and incubated the broader Indian independence movement. The All India Muslim Educational Conference in Dhaka in 1906 established the All India Muslim League. The University of Dacca gained a reputation as the "Oxford of the East" in its early years. Following the Partition of British India in 1947, Dhaka became the capital of East Pakistan....
Location & Landscape
Dhaka covers 360 km (140 sq mi) in the lower reaches of the Ganges delta. It is bounded by the Rivers Buriganga, Dhaleshwari and Turag; and their numerous tributaries and river channels. The land is close to sea level. Dhaka is vulnerable to flash floods during the monsoon. The literal meaning of the name Dhaka is "concealed". The enigmatic name might have originated from dhak trees found in the area; or from the 12th-century Hindu Dhakeshwari Temple. The earliest settlements in the region date back 2,500 years. Dhaka was the capital of Bengal during the Mughal Empire in the 17th century. As the seat of administration and commerce in the Bengal Delta, the wealthiest and most fertile region in the Empire, it became one of the largest and most prosperous cities in Asia. Proclaimed as the provincial capital in 1608, Mughal Dhaka had a population of one-million people, with well-laid out gardens, monuments, tombs, forts, mosques, temples, and churches.
Climate
The weather is subtropical. During the monsoon season, May–September, Dhaka is very hot, very humid, and very rainy, and daytime high temperatures average 32 °C (90 °F), although some days reach 35 °C (95 °F). Between the heat, humidity, and air pollution, the weather can be simply unbearable for some people during this time of year. During the dry season, November–March, the weather is drier and cooler. Daytime high temperate average 29 °C (84 °F), and a few cooler nights may get down to 13 °C (55 °F). Visitors from cooler countries may want to visit during the dry season for this reason. Dense fog is usually seen between November and January, and it may disrupt flights and ferry transport. Air pollution, caused by traffic congestion, and water pollution, caused by industrial waste, are serious problems affecting the city. The following is a selection of prominent works set in the city: Dhaka is the hub of Bangladeshi Railways.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsDhaka is the hub of Bangladeshi Railways. Almost all major cities in Bangladesh connect with Dhaka by train, usually two or three times per day. There are daytime and overnight trains. The only international connection by train is with Kolkata, India, from where the Maitree Express departs early morning, three times per week. Bangladeshi Railways does have an e-ticket service, but it only works with domestic credit cards and phone numbers. Best bet for a tourist is to make reservations at the station or a travel agency. Trains are popular so book in advance. Buses are a popular mode of cross country transport in Bangladesh. Luxury AC buses fare daily between Dhaka and other Bangladeshi cities, including Chittagong, Khulna, Bogra, Jessore, Rajshahi, Cox's Bazar and Sylhet, as well the Indian cities of Kolkata and Agartala. Tickets cost Tk 800–1200. Ticket counters are located across the city, particularly in the Panthapath and Arambagh areas....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
It's not a lie; Dhaka is one of the most congested cities in the world due in large part to being one of the most populous cities in the world. Dhaka has often been referred to as the "Traffic Capital of the World", and you can literally spend hours in traffic. A poorly developed road network, an inefficient traffic system, an unskilled traffic police force, poor efficacy of traffic laws, constant construction, lack of adequate parking spaces, and bad driving habits are some of the many reasons why Dhaka has immense congestion problems. If you're struggling to find a fair fare with a driver among the multitude of transportation options, try walking a short distance to the next one. It's important to note that not all drivers are dishonest and it's better to seek out the reliable ones and give them your business. In the event that a driver demands more money upon arrival, it's best to stick to the agreed or metered fare and leave.
Where to Stay
There are a huge variety of options for accommodation in the city, varying from unkempt dormitory beds for only a few US dollars, to huge multinational hotels that have penthouses for thousands of US dollars per night. If you happen to arrive at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at night, it is best to remain there until morning. While the chances of anything bad happening upon exit are somewhat low, incidents such as kidnappings by taxi drivers are known to have happened to tourists who have tried to leave the airport in the small hours of the morning. Otherwise Dhaka isn't terribly unsafe, but as in any huge city you should keep aware of your surroundings and try not to walk around at night. People are generally friendly and ready to help. The chance of problems is low. If you must be out late at night, it best not to bring valuables with you. The safest mode for travel for a tourist is to hire a yellow cab. These can be rented for one trip or by the day.
Money & Budget
If you go shopping ready to bargain then there are certainly bargains to be had among the bazars and markets of Dhaka. To get a feel for what things should cost in the local markets check prices in the Western-style fixed-price shops and then deduct 10%. Dhaka has an enormous variety of food catering to all budgets. Old Dhaka is overflowing with cheap Bangladeshi food where a meal can cost from Tk 50. In the upscale areas such as Gulshan and Banani there are Chinese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Greek and Mexican restaurants, and franchises such as Pizza Hut and KFC - all at prices that the majority can't afford. Reservations are usually not required in most restaurants. A lot of the Buffet-style restaurants in this area have Tk 250–400, fixed price menu.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
If you happen to arrive at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at night, it is best to remain there until morning. While the chances of anything bad happening upon exit are somewhat low, incidents such as kidnappings by taxi drivers are known to have happened to tourists who have tried to leave the airport in the small hours of the morning. Otherwise Dhaka isn't terribly unsafe, but as in any huge city you should keep aware of your surroundings and try not to walk around at night. People are generally friendly and ready to help. The chance of problems is low. If you must be out late at night, it best not to bring valuables with you. The safest mode for travel for a tourist is to hire a yellow cab. These can be rented for one trip or by the day. Be sure to write down the licence plate number. In case you feel unsafe or threatened by anyone, dial 999 to contact the emergency helpline. If riding on a rickshaw, keep your bags close to you, so that no one can grab them.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Dhaka
brown building during daytime
an aerial view of a river running through a city
beige concrete structure near grass field
man in blue and white stripe shirt riding on brown boat during daytime
A panoramic lakefront view with decorative bridge at Hatirjheel Lake.(located in Dhaka,Bangladesh;A major recreational place for the city dwellers and tourists)
brown concrete building near green grass field during daytime
The streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh. March 2024. SOOC JPEG.
Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh. March 2024. SOOC JPEG.
aerial photography of high rise buildings
Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh. March 2024.
brown building during daytime
an aerial view of a river running through a city
beige concrete structure near grass field