Dhaka (Dacca)
© Roy Digital Design
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh. It sits roughly in the center of the country, on the northern bank of the Buriganga River and it is a surprisingly clean and quiet place that lacks all the bustle of most other Southeast Asian cities. Dhaka has relatively clean air because there is little traffic and there are no heavy industries. Dhaka is one of the few places in Bangladesh that does not have any electricity problems, or related power cuts and many services available in Dhaka cannot be found anywhere else in the country.
During the times when Dhaka was an important Moghul trading center, the part of the city that runs along the north bank of the waterfront, was developed. This district is now the oldest part of town and locally known as the Old City. Two of the liveliest places in the Old City are the main water transport terminals of Sadarghat and Badam Tole, where a lot of river activity takes place. On this part of the Buriganga River are always countless vessels in all sorts and types and the whole area is crowded with people. The bright pink building that lines the waterfront is the old baroque-style palace of Ahsan Manzil.
Dhaka's major landmark is the Lalbagh Fort though. Building started in 1678, but the fort was never finished and still stands as it was when construction was halted. Some other interesting buildings in the Old Town include the mosque of Hussain Dalan and the National Museum. The latter is situated in the old European zone, known as the Modern City, just north of the Old City. The museum has excellent exhibitions of the Hindu, Buddhist and Moghul history ion Bangladesh, as well as a large collection of folk art and handicrafts. In the Motijheel Commercial Area, a business district of the Modern City, are numerous banks, travel agencies and airline offices.
Accommodation and Food
There are countless hotels, hostels and restaurants in Dhaka. Most of the cheaper places can be found in the Modern City, in the center of Dhaka.
Transportation
The best way to get around in Dhaka is by rickshaw. There are more than 300,000 rickshaws in the capital. A visit to Dhaka is not complete if you haven't rode one of these colorfully painted vehicles.