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| Five Reasons You Should Go to Bangladesh |
Erally know what I was doing to myself. The more I told people that I wanted to visit Bangladesh, the more I said, "Oh, wow!" Or "Oh, wrong ...".
This surprised me because I went to North Korea for a fair amount and often the biggest question mark.
(Yes, North Korea is great. You should come.)
As I traveled to Bangladesh, I pondered it even more. I couldn't find the fact that people are upset about it, other than the fact that it is not commonly visited by many tourists.
Deciding to go to Bangladesh was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Bangladesh is a raw country, 100% not largely untouched due to Bangladesh and tourism.
It has a whole host of unique energy that you will not find anywhere else in the world. The kind of energy you can only feel and understand when visiting this country.
Here's why you should visit Bangladesh, and how!
How can I visit Bangladesh?
To go to Bangladesh, you will probably need to get a Bangladesh visa. Some countries are exempt, so it's best to check first-hand.
Can I get a Bangladesh visa on arrival?
There are some countries that can get a Bangladesh visa upon arrival. Be sure to test it before flying. If you receive a Bangladesh visa, be sure to printout your residence, and provide the correct amount of cash.
By March 2019, it was 51 USD for British passport holders.
If you can get a visa before departure without any problems, it is recommended. Otherwise, earning a Bangladesh visa online is easy. Some people have been reported to have problems. My process was running smoothly - but it took a while. You pay for the visa at the desk first, then fill out your application and place it at the main desk.
If anything, the people who come to Bangladesh's visa online are just annoyed they have to
do some work instead of getting cold all day, and of course they won't be in a hurry.
You can enter Bangladesh by flying through some neighboring countries. Dhaka Airport (capital) serves large airlines like Emirates and Qatar as well as smaller local airlines.
Why Visit Bangladesh?
# 1 Dhaka
- Old Town in Dhaka
If you are coming to Bangladesh, you cannot miss a trip to the Old Town of Dhaka. Dhaka Old Town is an important center of Dhaka. It is a blend of chaos, culture and crowds. A strong hit of eyes, sounds and aromas - invading all senses. And that's great.
Before searching Old Town in Dhaka, make sure you are in the right mindset and prepared for the chaos you are about to embark on. You can't do anything other than embrace it.
All you can do in Dhaka's Old Town is to immerse yourself in the city and the culture. Take a tour and see what you can find. Old Town is big, and it's easy to get lost on all the paved roads.
In addition to the main sites in Dhaka (see below), there are also many big markets in Old Town in Dhaka waiting to be searched.
When you land in Dhaka's Old Town, you should keep in mind that the closer you get to the nearest city, the worse the traffic will be. From Gulshan (a place known to foreigners and foreigners), it can take 2+ hours during busy times. It is important to remember that you are planning on making your way to your home when you are far away.
- Rickshaw
Rickshaws are the easiest and easiest way to get around. The rickshaws are unique and colorful in Bangladesh. They can take you to all the major tourist attractions in Old Town - but won't miss a chance to rip off a foreigner.
Make sure to set prices with them beforehand, and if you are not sure what the fair price is, ask a local and do not pay more than 10 or 20% of what is suggested.
Some rickshaw riders will ask for as much money as you can after you land, but be sure to stick to the price you initially stated.
- Main sites
All of Dhaka's main sites are located in Old Town, and you can visit almost all (sometime soon) days if needed. If you plan to visit Bangladesh, it is not a good idea to run away, but if you are on a tight schedule, here's a list of things to do in a day.
* Lal Bagh Bagh: Great escape from peaceful gardens and busy Dhaka.
* Beautiful destination: Museum C Pink Palace.
* National Museum: National Museum of Bangladesh.
* Shankarai Bazaar: colors, sites, sounds and smells.
- the river
Bangladesh is a country of rivers. If you really want to live, when you go to Bangladesh, a river ride is a must.
* Ask fishermen to take a ride on Dhaka's waterways and watch the sunrise or sunset between the bustling and sunny sun.
Why Visit Bangladesh?
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| Five Reasons You Should Go to Bangladesh |
- Cox's Bazaar
You may have been to a beach before. You may have visited many beaches. You can even stay on a beach.
But ...
Have you ever been to the world's longest coast?
Cox's Bazaar is the longest undisturbed stretch of the world on the coast of the market. 120km (slightly) white sand and (swivel) blue water.
Well, it can't be the most beautiful and breathtaking coastline in the world. But having 120km of beach in front of you is very special and definitely a reason to visit Bangladesh.
There are 120 kilometers of central beach area and are usually crowded. Cox's Bazaar is a very popular place for locals, and will be especially noticeable if you go to extreme seasons. On the central coast, there are restaurants, souvenir shops and places where you can rent quadbikes and jet skis. You can go swimming, but be careful that it is not allowed to swim in a swimsuit and you should be covered at all times.
Walk 20 minutes and no one is visible - other than maybe a local fisherman or some kids hanging out. From Cox's Bazar, you can find a boat to other islands nearby that will usually be less crowded.
- Sunburn
Another good one for Bangladesh; it's home to the world's largest mangrove forest, famous for the Bengal Tiger. From Dhaka, you can hire a manga guide to take you to the mangrove forests and spend some nights there enjoying the nature and setting off for the Bengal Tigers. You can even reach the infamous rocket steamer boat from Khulna where you can start your beautiful journey. You can spend 2 nights, 3 nights, 4 nights or more in search of sunburn.
Being the largest in the world - this mangrove forest is huge. Tour companies offer a variety of packages, from affordable to luxury. You can make it fun and inexpensive by staying on boats and homestays in local villages.
- Chittagong Hill Tracts
Chittagong is the second largest city in Bangladesh. But it's far less intense than Dhaka, and a great place to go. In Chittagong, you can tour the city, take a boat down the river, and just enjoy hanging out.
The main reason most people go to Chittagong is the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
It is a large area of hills and covers 13,184 km2. Walking the Chittagong Hill Tracts provides incredible views and a breath of fresh air away from the city.
Why Visit Bangladesh?
# 3 People
One of my favorite things about traveling in Bangladesh was people.
They are extremely friendly, very helpful and very enthusiastic to see you. I never thought I'd come to a country that likes to take more pictures and selfies from China. Then I came to Bangladesh. People absolutely love taking selfies, and would definitely like to take selfies with you.
If you don't mind taking your picture, locals will be happy if you agree to take a picture with them. It's still a bit much after Day 1, so it's up to you if you agree with Selfie. They are not overbearing and will respect you if you refuse. I chose the 'no selfie' approach. If a group contacts me, I offer a group picture - otherwise, you'll be here for a long time! Plus, keep in mind that if you offer a selfie - and there will be more people coming your way for a piece of pie!
Observing this can be a little intense, but many times I feel disturbed or threatened by Bangladeshi people. They are very curious and would definitely like to chat with you. I recommend that you do not retreat or stand in a public place while traveling to Bangladesh. After 10 seconds when you are surrounded by different groups of people, you will see what is causing it.
As a solo female traveler, I was a little worried about how my experience would be, how I would be persuaded by locals and if this was a problem.
Just like in many places around the world, you have to be careful when traveling or living alone as a woman in public at certain times. The same goes for the UK, my home country. Evaluate the situation, do your research, and take care of yourself if needed. You can read more about being a lonely traveler in Bangladesh in Part 2.
Why Visit Bangladesh?
#4 The Location & History
Bangladesh is in a really interesting geographical location. And it’s pretty easy to get to.
Flights are relatively cheap from international destinations
For 20 years after this until 1991, it suffered from national disasters, poverty, famine and political unrest.
In 1991 democracy was restored and the country entered a new phase of economic progress.
Why Visit Bangladesh?
#5 Raw Country
No Starbucks, no McDonald’s.
has hardly been touched by tourism (yet).
. It is not uncommon for locals to have smartphones, you can easily access 4G with a local sim card, and Uber is widely used!
For me, this is one of the big charms of Bangladesh. But it’s not for the faint-hearted.
Like everywhere, the more people come the more people are catered for, and it is only natural that this changes and develops.
Where to go, what to see, and how to see it!
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