Things to do in Bangladesh

Glide through the world's largest mangrove forest on a multi-day boat trip, keeping watch for the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, and Ganges dolphins.

Start the day at Laboni Point as the first light illuminates the endless 120 km sandy expanse and the Bay of Bengal stretches to the horizon.

Pedal along winding trails through endless emerald tea plantations, pausing to witness pluckers at work and sip freshly brewed local tea.

Explore the only coral island in Bangladesh, swimming among vibrant fish and living coral gardens just offshore from this car-free island.

Float through a freshwater swamp forest hidden in Sylhet, where the roots of hijol and koroch trees vanish into the still, green water.

Hike through bamboo groves and tribal villages to reach a deep blue hilltop lake, a sacred natural wonder surrounded by rocky cliffs.

Join villagers along the riverbanks during the monsoon to cheer on colorfully painted longboats paddled to the beat of drums and chants.

Savour the renowned aromatic biryani, layered with fragrant rice, delicate spices, and succulent goat meat, from a family-run shop since 1939.

Spoon into the famed creamy, caramelized yogurt of Comilla, set in earthen pots and a staple of festive banquets in Bengali households.

Marvel at the 18th-century Hindu temple’s every surface covered with intricate terracotta plaques depicting mythological scenes and floral motifs.

Roam the sprawling Somapura Mahavihara, a 8th-century Buddhist complex, once the largest monastery south of the Himalayas and now a UNESCO site.

Admire the 15th-century Khan Jahan Ali’s mosque with 77 squat domes and 60 pillars, a UNESCO World Heritage site set among mossy brick structures.

Walk the ramparts and ruins of a 3rd-century BC fortified city, uncovering Hindu and Buddhist artifacts and the sacred Khodar Pathar well.

Stand at the bustling Buriganga River terminal as hundreds of overloaded passenger boats, ferries, and cargo vessels jostle in the golden evening light.

Take a guided walk around the monumental concrete complex set in an artificial lake, a masterpiece of modernist architecture that houses the legislature.

Weave through a vibrant Hindu street known for its sari shops and sweet makers, then hail a decorated cycle rickshaw to clatter through the historic district.

Enter this quiet 1781 church with a tidy whitewashed exterior, a relic of the Armenian merchant community that once thrived in Mughal Dhaka.

Witness a deeply moving collection of photographs, personal artifacts, and audiovisual exhibits that document the 1971 war for independence.

Gaze at a white marble mosque adorned with blue-star and floral patterns made from broken China tiles, a glittering gem in the old city.

Explore the restored 19th-century pink palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka, featuring grand staircases, period photographs, and waterfront views.

Stroll through the unfinished fort complex with its three grand gateways, mosque, and the poignant mausoleum of a Mughal princess.

Ascend to the resort at 2,200 feet where dawn unveils a sea of clouds blanketing the valleys and the distant peaks of the Mizo Hills.

Sit under the open sky with locals as performers in bright costume enact mythological tales with high drama, booming dialogue, and traditional music.

Crack open a hollow, crispy puri filled with tangy tamarind water, mashed potato, chickpeas, and a secret chili mix at Dhaka’s favorite roadside snack hub.

Board a dingi boat at dawn to navigate the canals where farmers sell fresh guavas directly from their boats, creating a colorful, fragrant waterborne bazaar.