BANGLADESH

Places of Interest: 

1)Sundarbans  
Located at about 320km. West of Dhaka. Here in the south, spread over an area of about 6000 sq. km. of delta swamps along the coastal belt of Khulna is the biggest mangrove forest, Sundarbans (beautiful forest) - the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. These dense mangrove forests are criss-crossed by a network of rivers and creeks. One find here tides flowing in two directions in the same creek and often tigers swimming across a river or huge crocodiles basking in the sun. Other wildlife in this region is cheetahs, spotted deer, monkeys, pythons, wild bears and hyenas.  

The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world's. And as it is the unusual forest, UNESCO listed it as World Heritage Site

The forest is accessible by river from Khulna and Mongla. There are rest houses for the visitors to stay and enjoy the unspoiled nature with all its charm and majesty. Spending some times inside the forest can be a rare treat for the lovers of nature. BPC offers package tours to Sundarbans.  

2)Paharpur 

In Paharpur, a small village 5 km. west of Jamalganj railway station in the greater Rajshahi district, the remains of the most important and the largest known monastery south of the Himalayas has bee excavated. This 8th century A.D. archaeological find covers approximately an area of 27 acres of land. The entire establishment occupies a quadrangular court, measuring more than 900 ft. and from 12fh to 15ft. in height with elaborate gateway complex on the north. There are 45 cells on the north and 44 in each of other three sides with a total number of 177 rooms. The architecture of the pyramidal cruciform temple is profoundly influenced by those of South-East Asia, especially Myanmar and Java. It had taken its name from a high mound, which looked like pahar or hillock. A site museum built recently houses the representative coactions of objects recovered from the area. The excavated findings have also been preserved at the Veranda Research museum at Rajshahi. The antiquities of the museum include terracotta plaques, images of different gods and goddesses, potteries, coins, inscriptions, ornamental bricks and other minor clay objects . It has been declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. 

3)Tamabil & Jaflong  

Situated amidst splendid panorama, Tamabil is a border outpost on Sylhet-Shilong road, about 55 km. away from Sylhet town. Beside enchanting views of the area one can also have a glimpse of the waterfall across the border from Tamabil. Jaflong is also a scenic spot nearby amidst tea gardens and rare beauty of rolling stones from hills.  
   

4)Mainamati  

An isolated low, dimpled range of hills, dotted -with more than 50 ancient Buddhist settlements of the 8th to 12th century A.D. known as Mainamati-Laimai range are extended through the centre of the district of Comilla. 

Salban Vihara, almost in the middle of the Mainamati-Lalmai hill range consists of 115 cells, built around a spacious courtyard with cruciform temple in the centre facing its only gateway complex to the north resembling that of the Paharpur Monastery. 

Kotila Mura situated on a flaftened hillock, about 5 km north of Salban Vihara inside the Comilla Cantonment are is picturesque Buddhist establishment. Here three stupas are found side by side representing the Buddhist "Trinity" or three jewels i.e. the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. 

The Mainamati site Museum has a rich and varied collection of copper plates, gold and silver coins and 86 bronze objects. Over 150 bronze statues havo been recovered mostly from the monastic cells, bronze stupas, stone sculptures and hundreds of terracotta plaques each measuring on an average of 9" higli and 8" to 12" wide. Mairiamati is only 114 km. from Dhaka City and is just a day's trip by road on way to Chittagong. 

5)Jamuna Resort

The resort located on the eastern bank of mighty river Jamuna and near the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge is an important installation of the country and perhaps aa extremely beautiful place.

Being developed over 1,200 bighas of land about 100 kilometres from the capital, the resort has 130 air-conditioned suites in 70 cottages, auditorium, conference rooms and dining facilities. 

Recreation facilities include three tennis courts, swimming pool, five motor boats including a mechanised country boat and a riverside spot for picnics. What sets it apart is a museum housing a rich collection on bio-diversity of the area. 

The suites and other facilities occupy only 130 bighas of land leaving visitors the whole expanse to enjoy the embrace of fresh air and the mighty Jamuna as well as go speed boating on the fast flowing river. 

A Deluxe Suite costs Tk 4250 a night, Royal Suite Tk 5850, Imperial Suite Tk 6,000, three-bedroom Cottage Tk 7,500, two-bedroom Cottage Tk 6,000 and Standard Room Tk 3250 a night. 

If one wishes to come with a helicopter, there is a helipad. The railway station is only a few minutes' walk away. But if one wishes to go there he or she will have to book suites or picnic spots at least a week earlier at JRL's Dhaka office at Pragati-RPR Centre at Kawran Bazar in the city.