The capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, is the cultural and economic hub of the country. Dhaka is also known as a city of rickshaws – around 400,000 rickshaws ply the roads. Dhaka is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and it is also a place where the gap between the haves and the have-nots is becoming glaringly obvious with each passing day.  

My first experience in this chaotic city, I have to admit, was not that great. I didn’t enjoy my stay there because of all the dust and the smog, and that’s not even factoring in the mad traffic jams. Most travelers admit that the city can feel overwhelming in the first visit. But my second visit, however, was different. And that was because I decided to explore places around the capital city and visited some sites like National Museum in Shahbag, Liberation War Museum in Segunbagicha, Shahid Minar, Old Dhaka city, Lalbag Fort, Ahsan Manjil, Parliament House etc. 

For food lovers, there is good news. Plenty of fresh vegetables are available throughout the year and the delicacies made from them are delightfully different. There is also a wide variety of street foods. I really enjoyed sampling the mouth watering fish items. Dhaka has rightly been called a paradise for fish lovers. 

However, the traveling bit can be quite exhausting especially if you decide to act like a local and commute in buses. I would advise you not to take the bus during peak hours as it’s a battle to get on one. Also, for budget travelers, finding the right accommodation can be quite a chore, particularly when there are people trying to scam you almost everywhere you go. I wouldn’t say Dhaka is an ideal vacation destination but this colorful and congested metropolis must be visited once because you get to experience one of the most frenetic places on Earth.

dhunganasmriti@gmail.com

 
• discovering
 
• dhaka