Dhaka/Central

Central Dhaka includes Motijheel, the centre of finance and business, the University of Dhaka, a historic area with a number of museums, and Tejgaon-Dhanmondi, home to large shopping malls, markets and a variety of eateries.

Get in

See

Motijheel
  • ๐ŸŒ Baitul Mukarram Mosque. The national mosque of Bangladesh. It was built in 1968, and is the 10th largest mosque in the world. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Banga Bhaban (เฆฌเฆ™เงเฆ—เฆญเฆฌเฆจ, House of Bengal). Official residence of the President. This grand palace of the British India era is only visible from the outside. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Ramakrishna Mission, 27 R K Mission Road, Gopibag, Dhaka, โ˜ +880 2 9553703, . A Hindu temple and complex that was founded in 1916. The architecture is Indian-influenced. (updated Nov 2018)

Dhaka University Campus
  • ๐ŸŒ National Museum, Shahbag Rd, โ˜ +880 2 9674796, . Apr-Sep: Sa-W 10:30-17:30, F 14:30-19:30; Oct-Mar: Sa-W 09:30-16:30, F 14:30-19:30; Ramadan: Sa-W 09:30-15:30. Contains a large number of interesting collections, including sculptures and paintings from the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim periods. Next door is a popular public library. Foreigners: Tk 75, locals and SAARC citizens: Tk 10, disabled persons: free. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Liberation War Museum, Civic Centre, Plot : F11/A & F11/B (in Agargaon), โ˜ +880 9611-677223. M-Sa 10:00-15:30. A leading private museum which documents the liberation struggle of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971, including the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide and the political and armed resistance movement of the Bangladeshi people 
  • ๐ŸŒ Musa Khan Mosque, University of Dhaka. Located west of Shahidullah Hall at Dhaka University, this historical mosque was built to honour the former ruler of the region. The inscriptions on the mosque seem to state that it was built in 1484 CE, but was repaired heavily in 1700 CE. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Greek Memorial (Teacher Student Centre (TSC), Dhaka University). A memorial of the Greeks of Dhaka built somewhere in the early 1900s. (updated Jul 2015)

Buildings

Monuments
  • ๐ŸŒ Aparajeya Bangla (Unvanquished Bengal), University of Dhaka, in front of the Faculty of Arts. A statue dedicated to those who died in the 1971 Liberation War. Designed by sculptor Abdullah Khaled it is built of reinforced concrete and reaches a height of 11 ft (3.4 m). It was inaugurated on 16 December 1979. The sculpture consists of three humans with the central figure of a farmer carrying a gun on his shoulder and a grenade in one hand. On the left is a women carrying a first aid box and on the right is a bare-bodied young man carrying a gun. The statue represents the general public of Bangladesh, who fought for the 1971 Liberation War. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Central Shaheed Minar, In front of the Dhaka Medical College, University of Dhaka. A symbol of Bengali nationalism. This monument was built to commemorate the martyrs of the historic language movement of 1952. Thousands of people with floral wreaths and bouquets gather on 21 February annually, paying respect to the departed in a solemn atmosphere. The date was designated by the UN as International Mother Language Day due to the event. Celebrations begin at midnight. 
  • ๐ŸŒ National Poet's Graveyard, University of Dhaka. Revolutionary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam died on the 29 August 1976 and was buried here. 

Parks
  • ๐ŸŒ Suhrawardi Udyan (Ramna Racecourse), Suhrawardi Uddan Rd. A race course of the British times, it has been converted into a park. It was the place where independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Raman delivered a historic oath of independence speech before the 1971 War, and where the Pakistani army surrendered a few months later. The Shadhinota Stambha monument, a 50-m-high tower of light composed of stacked glass panel, has been erected here. The Museum of Independence, an underground museum of Bangladesh independence, is below the tower. Suhrawardi Uddyan also houses the eternal flame to mark its significance. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Ramna Green (Ramna Park), Ramna (Near the Sheraton Hotel). A vast stretch of green surrounded by a serpentine lake. 

Suhrawardi Uddyan
  • ๐ŸŒ Museum of Independence, Suhrawardy Uddyan. At the spot where Sheikh Mujibur Raman delivered a historic oath of independence speech before the 1971 War, and where the Pakistani army surrendered a few months later. The museum consists of a 50-m-high glass tower of light. The museum is underground and is centered round a fountain of falling water. The museum houses a large collection of photos of Bangladesh's War of Independence. It was inaugurated on 25 March 2015, the 45th anniversary of Bangladeshi independence. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Eternal Flame (เฆถเฆฟเฆ–เฆพ เฆšเฆฟเฆฐเฆจเงเฆคเฆจ), Northern end of Suhrawardy Uddyan. The eternal flame was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheik Hasina on 7 Mrach 1997. The flame burns eternally at the Northern end of Suhrawardi Uddyan, beneath the Bangladesh National flag. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Mausoleum of Three Leaders (เฆคเฆฟเฆจ เฆจเง‡เฆคเฆพเฆฐ เฆฎเฆพเฆœเฆพเฆฐ), Southwestern corner of Suhrawardy Uddyan. Eternal resting place of great national leaders, Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Haque, Hossain Shahid Suhrawardy and Khaja Nazimuddin. All the three men served as Prime Minister of Bengal in British India. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Shahbaz Khan Mosque and Dargah, Suhrawardy Uddyan, behind Mausoleum of Three Leaders. This mosque and tomb, constructed in 1679 by Haji khwaja Shahbaz, a rich merchant of Dhaka. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Ramna Kali Mandir, Suhrawardy Uddyan. A thousand-year-old temple, dedicated to the goddess Kali. The temple was vandalized during the Pakistan war of 1971 and later reconstructed. (updated Jul 2015)

Tejgaon-Dhanmondi
  • ๐ŸŒ Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Parliament), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, โ˜ +880 2 8171323, . Open normal office hours. Designed by the famous American architect, Louis I. Kahn, it is renowned as a modern architectural wonder of the region. The Parliament is surrounded by gardens that form a peaceful getaway from the chaos of the city. The building is also surrounded by heavy security. Foreigners have to fill out a form and provide passport photocopies to visit the building. No cameras or phones allowed inside. Tk 500 for advanced bookings, Tk 600 for on arrival visits. 
  • ๐ŸŒ National Museum of Science and Technology, Agargaon, Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, โ˜ +880 2 9114128, . W-M 09:00-17:00. A museum and modern learning centre displaying the latest scientific discoveries. Each weekend, a starwatching evening is held for Tk 10. Tk 5. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Bangladesh Air Force Museum, BAF Base Bashar. M-Sa 14:00-20:00. Representative Bangladesh air force planes and history on display. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Holy Rosary Church (Tejgaon Portuguese Church), Holycross College Rd, โ˜ +880 2 814-2093. An old Portuguese-influenced church built in 1677. The faรงade has been repainted into heavy Indian-style colours. A large, new building has been built next door to allow a larger congregation. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Novo Theatre (Planetarium) (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre), Bijoy Sharani, Tejgaon, โ˜ +880 2 9138878. Th-Tu; closed W. Shows start F 10:00 to 18:30; other days 10:30 to 16:30. A planetarium built on 5.46 acres (2.21 hectares) of land, its spaces range in size from its 21-metre dome, seating 275 people; to three-metre inflatable and portable domes where people sit on the floor. The Planetarium dome simulates Earth and its cool blue sky. This dome-shaped theatre was built with the latest equipment, enabling visitors to soar into space as well as experience the thrills of an interplanetary journey in a three-dimensional environment. The curved ceiling represents the sky and shows moving images of planets and stars through projection onto a large-screen dome at an angle of 120 degrees. This planetarium features three kinds of exhibits. They Journey to Infinity presents a celestial show of stars, planets and other heavenly bodies in virtual reality. The Ei Amader Bangladesh features Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 7 March lecture, while the Grand Canyon describes North America's settlement clan, Garikhad, which existed in the Grand Canyon 4000 years ago. The planetarium also has a 30-seat Space Ride Simulator. Tk 50 for Planetarium; Tk 20 for Space Ride Simulator. (updated Feb 2017)

Do

Amusement parks

Buy

University
  • ๐ŸŒ Banga (or Bango) Bazar, is a block west of the Gulistan bus station on Kamruzzaman Sharani Street at the edge of Old Dhaka. For shopaholics this is probably a paradise but for others it can be a nightmare. There are thousands of small stalls intersected by narrow walkways which are often jammed with people. The quality varies widely but the prices can be very cheap after hard bargaining, such as US$1 for a T-shirt, US$3 for blue jeans and US$5 for jackets. However, this is not a market for the brand-conscious.

Tejgaon-Dhanmondi
  • ๐ŸŒ Bashundara City Mall, Pantha Path (just west of the Pan Pacific Hotel). A modern 10-storey shopping complex with a wide variety of shops, a supermarket, a food court, cinema, and more. (updated Nov 2019)

Eat

University
  • ๐ŸŒ New Cafรฉ Jheel, 18/1 Topkhana Road (Opposite the National Press Club), โ˜ +880 2-9552255. Serves good local dishes for the budget traveler. Expect to pay Tk 150-200 for a 3 course meal. Although you can possibly get lunch/dinner for as low as Tk 60. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Jharna Grill, 107 Kazi Nazrul Islam Ave (In Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel), โ˜ +880 2 811 1005. The top restaurant in the hotel serves very good seafood. Expect to pay Tk 3,000 for a 3-course meal with drinks. The hotel has other good restaurants too. 
  • ๐ŸŒ The Amber Room, 1 Minto Road (In InterContinental Hotel), โ˜ +880-2-55663030. A fancy steakhouse and seafood restaurant in the InterContinental Hotel. Also has wine pairings. Tk 3000. (updated Nov 2019)
  • ๐ŸŒ Elements, 1 Minto Road (In InterContinental Hotel), โ˜ +880-2-55663030. A good but very expensive buffet with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tk 4000. (updated Nov 2019)
  • ๐ŸŒ Aqua Deck, 1 Minto Road (In InterContinental Hotel), โ˜ +880-2-55663030. A lounge next to the pool in the InterContinental Hotel with things like sandwiches and salads. More affordable than the other restaurants in the hotel. Tk 1200. (updated Nov 2019)

Tejgaon-Dhanmondi
  • ๐ŸŒ Mama Halim, 6 Mirpur Road (across from Dhanmondi Lake Park), โ˜ +880 1955382239. Biryani, kebabs, cakes, ice cream, biscuits, fruit, and also gifts. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Coopers Bakery, Mirpur Road, Kalabagan, โ˜ +880 1729076914. Very famous for cakes and fast food. (updated Jul 2021)
  • ๐ŸŒ Red Tomato, 46 Road No. 27 (Rangs Nasim Square). A medium quality, old Chinese restaurant which serves Chinese and Thai food. (updated Jul 2021)
  • ๐ŸŒ Voot, House 36 Road No. 2, โ˜ +880 1754833855. An upscale restaurant with a haunted theme (VOOT-meaning ghost in Bengali), high quality food, next to the well known Rifles Square Market. (updated Jul 2021)
  • ๐ŸŒ Bashudhara City Food Court, Pantha Path (8th floor of Bashundhara City). A large food court in the Bashundhara City Mall with all manner of fast food, western food, Bangladeshi food and more. There is also a slightly higher end Food Hall in the food court. (updated Nov 2019)

Other Areas
  • ๐ŸŒ Bella Italia, Gulshan 2 (2nd floor of the Eastern Bank Limited building - beside Shoppers' World), โ˜ +880 1732-706038. The proprietor was employed in the restaurant business in Italy and this place serves fairly authentic thin-crust pizzas and pastas. Mains are around Tk 300-600. 
  • ๐ŸŒ El Toro, House 9/A Rd 36, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh, โ˜ +880 1 861 6343. 11:30-22:30. A Mexican restaurant serving burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas and others. Mains around Tk 250-300. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Sura, House 32, Road 43, โ˜ +880 1726-070059. Korean restaurant near the Egyptian embassy. Table-top barbecue and most popular Korean dishes are available, along with a selection of sushi and sashimi. Popular with Koreans and other expats. Expect to pay at least Tk 500 per person for a 3-course dinner. 

Drink
  • ๐ŸŒ La Diplomat, Road 20, House number 7 (near Gulshan 1). Don't expect to be rubbing shoulders with any French ambassadors, however. 
  • ๐ŸŒ H. Kabir and Company, Ltd., 12 Abbas Garden, New Airport Road, Mohakhali (Go towards the flyover as if you were going to Banani, but instead of going on to the flyover, you take the second left after it begins. At the small sign labeled Abbas Garden, turn left. Tell your driver to wait while you purchase.), โ˜ +88 2 988 1936-9. Su-Th 09:30-16:30. is a duty-free shop that is only permitted to sell alcohol to passport-bearing foreigners or their drivers who bring their passports in when they purchase. 
  • ๐ŸŒ North End Coffee, Kha-47-1 Pragati Sarani, Shahzadpur, North Badda (around the corner from US Embassy, across from Cambrian College and above the DBBL ATM), โ˜ +880 1741055597. W Th Sa-M 08:00-21:00, F 14:00 to 21:00. Definitely the best coffee in Dhaka. With foreign ownership, an on-site coffee-roasting machine and huge sacks of coffee in the back, this is definitely the place to get your caffeine fix. Prices reasonable. No meals yet, just muffins and brownies. Cappuccino Tk 125. 

Sleep

Budget
  • ๐ŸŒ Hotel Motijheel, 28/i Toyenbee Circular Road (near Dainik Banglar mor). Tk 300-600. 
  • ๐ŸŒ White House Hotel, 155 Shanti Nagar Road (near Siddheswari Circle), โ˜ +880 2-8317726. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. Rooms have air conditioninig, television, and internet connection with a decent speed. Tk 2,500-5,000. 

Mid-range

Splurge
  • ๐ŸŒ Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, 107 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, โ˜ +880-8111005, fax: +880 2 811 3324, . For a long time was considered one of the top hotels in the city. In room internet access is available and works well. The hotel also has a swimming pool to enjoy. A room on the Pacific floor (7/8) will cost US$290 including breakfast. These rooms are a good choice since laundry and wired internet access are included in the price, plus a free bar in the Pacific lounge from 18:00-20:00. There are good restaurants and service is excellent throughout the hotel. 
  • ๐ŸŒ InterContinental Dhaka, 1 Minto Road, โ˜ +880-2-55663030. A very nice outpost of the InterContinental Hotel brand, part of IHG. Several restaurants, a bar, conference space, pool. From US$150 per night. (updated Nov 2019)
  • ๐ŸŒ Hotel Sarina, Plot # 27, Road # 17, Banani (in the diplomatic area of town), โ˜ +880 2 8859604, fax: +880 2 988-9989, . 5* hotel, all rooms have high speed internet connection along with dedicated port for laptop, mini bar, in-room safe and satellite TV. Has an Italian restaurant on site. $110-450. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Lakeshore Hotel, Gulshan 2 (in the diplomatic area of town), โ˜ +880 2 8859991, . Luxury 80-room hotel, rooftop pool, fitness, wireless and LAN Internet. Corporate discounts of 30% available. Probably the best medium-sized 5* in the city. US$100-220. 
  • ๐ŸŒ The Westin, Plot-01, Road 45, Gulshan-2 (In the diplomatic area), โ˜ +880 2 989 1988. Relatively new, modern, clean, great service, and would be at home in any major western city. However, extortionately expensive - over US$10 for a small beer US$200-240 in winter, varies seasonally up to $1,100. 
  • ๐ŸŒ Six Seasons Hotel, Road 96, House 19, Gulshan 2 (In the diplomatic area), โ˜ +880 9604 666 666, . 82 rooms with all modern facilities for visitors. Menu options include Bangladeshi, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Continental. 

Connect
Motijheel
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