BANGLADESH 1
​I visited Bangladesh in early 2019.

Chittagong Hill Tracts -- Decidely untypical of Bangladesh, both in topography and culture, this largely Buddhist Adivasi (tribal) stronghold is the homeland of the Jumma people.*​​

Displayed at Shilakala Academy, these paintings by children chronicle the 1971 War of Independence, one the 20th century's more deadly wars.

The architectural masterpiece is the red-brick Curzon Hall a highly impressive example of the European-Mughal style of building erected after the first partition of ​Bengal in 1905.*

This somber cemetery contains the grave of hundreds of soldiers from both Allied and Japanese forces who died on the Burma front.*
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Dhakeswari Temple is the centre of the Hindu faith in Bangladesh.*

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Dhaka is not a quiet, retiring place.  The city, bursting with nearly 17 million people (most of whom often seem to be stuck in the same traffic jam as you), is a gloriously noisy and chaotic place, bubbling with energy.*

The white-and-lemon-painted Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, dating from the Holy Resurrection, dating from 1781, is the sould of this now almost extinct community, and is a tranquil spot.*

The mausoleum complex of Kan Jahan Ali overlooks a placid pond know as Thakur Dighi, which until recently was home to two gigantic crocodiles reportedly more than 100 years old.*

Like the more famous floating markets in Southeast Asia, the small one at Banaripara -- just an hour's bus ride from Barisal -- is where locals who live in this river-laden part of Bangladesh come to buy and sell groceries without ever having to step off their boats.*

There is no better place in which to experience the magic of the Hill Tracts than in the lively small town of Bandarban, which lies on the Sangu River, 92km from Chittagong.*​

For a fun, albeit perhaps slightly scary side-trip, hop on a wooden rowboat (per person TK5) from Sadarghat and cross the ship-laden river to the fish harbour and market.*

Without a shade of doubt, the most pervasive form of popular culture in Bangladesh is the genre of paintings found on rickshaws.,*​
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The half-completed Lalbagh Fort and its well-tended gardens are all an excuse to escape Old Dhaka's hustle and bustle for an hour or so.*

Running calmly through the centre of Old Daka, the Buriganga River is the muddy artery of Dhaka and the very lifeblood of both this city and the nation.*​
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Cricket is the most popular sport in Bangladesh.


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As in Dhaka, the city's (Chittagong) oldest area is the waterfront part called Sadarghat, and as in Dhaka, it's a cacophony of sensual assaults.*
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This unusual mosque (Star Mosque), with its striking mosaic decoration, dates from the early 18th century, although it has been radically altered.*

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On the western bank of Thakur Dighi, a short walk from the sausleum of Kan Jahan Ali, is the recently repaired Nine-Domed Mosque (also called Noy Gombuj Jasjid).*​

Dating from 1872, the must-see Pink Palace was built on the site of an old French factory by Nawab Abdul Ghani, the city's wealthiest zamindar (landowner).*​

It is the finest example in Dhaka of the European Renaissance style.*

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A place of active worship, Khan Jahan Ali's Tomb is the only monument in Bagerhat that still retains its original cupolas (domed ceilings).
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A steep but easy-to-follow pathway snakes its way down from the dormitory building at Hillside Resort all the way to the Sangu River below.*
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Built in 1459 (the same year Khan Jahan Ali died), the famous Shait Gumbad Mosque is the largest and most magnificent traditional mosque in the country.*

For both foreigners as well as Bangadeshi tourists, the white onion-domed shrine of musician and poet Lalon Shah is the main reason for visiting Kushtia.*

Chittagong's controversial industry of ship breaking takes place along the coast northwest of the city at Bhatiary.*
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There are cycle-rickshaws all over Asia, but in Bangladesh they're arguably more colourful, more prevalent and more integral to everyday life than anywhere else.*​​

An elephant entertains children on Chittagong's waterfront.

*These captions are from Bangladesh -- a Lonely Planet travel guide.