Old Dhaka is a hodgepodge of narrow streets, crumbling houses the home to a variety of artisans and a story that is more than 400 years old. There are no accurate maps of the area, there are very few street signs and hardly anyone speaks English. But wander these ancient streets you will get up close and personal to Bangladesh and Bangladeshis.
Bangladesh is a riverine country course, so it is only right that a flow should dominate his capital. The Buriganga is a commercial lifeline, a transportation hub and a floating market all mixed in a fascinating water package.
Dhaka Altstadt extends about a mile inland from the teeming river bank and has over the centuries made little, if changed Arakan pirates and European traders were attracted by the richness of this eastern outpost of the Mughal Empire. In fact, should return today those pirates and traders would find little has changed along the river. More people, yes, but many of the buildings and industries would still be recognizable.
Sadarghat is in the heart of the area. It's make night driving south to towns and villages of three story here ferries still no direct route to its capital. Among the behemoth strive passenger ferries an incredible variety of smaller ships to the needs of local traders and commuters catering.
flatbed ferries regularly cross the Buriganga, dwarfed by the much larger passenger ferries, transporting only a handful of people on the opposite shore, their skippers strain every sinew, under the harsh sun sweating with perspiration their turbans and sarongs coloring.
carriesProduce forever with carriers onions and potatoes, vitals in the local diet, on unloaded their heads on the gentle slope to the nearby market along Ahsanullah road. The way all in this area is narrow and motorized vehicles can not reach. Instead, the goods are loaded on wooden carts to be taken into the city then hand their goals.
The Ahsan Manzil, or Pink Palace, near Sadarghat and overlooking the teeming waterway. Built by a wealthy Kashmiri businessman made Dhaka at his home, this impressive hotel with its dominating staircase now houses an interesting museum, the now long forgotten a Dhaka details and its tranquil gardens provide a much needed respite after the noise of the streets.
Dhaka cosmopolitan past lives in Shankharia Bazar or Hindu Street. Here below the narrow streets get narrower and the dilapidated buildings with their faded charm get higher. There is barely enough room for a single rickshaw workers busy barrow to deliver their goods.
Each narrow storefront volleys economic activity, whether shell bangle makers, Hindu artifacts or the incredibly small cafes with tiny stools rising barely 12 inches above the ground. Some shops are brightly lit; others have a few wall candle bygone days, recalling, though truth be told there is a practicality to the wax. Dhaka growing population places high demands on the infrastructure and power outages are commonplace.
The space is at a premium down Hindu Street, light the tall buildings provide long shadow for most of the day. The incessant tinkling of bells in the half-light of impatient rickshaw drivers is something soothing and even hypnotic at times.
Some of the earliest colonial settlers in the east were the Armenians, and their legacy endures even today in downtown Dhaka with a neighborhood called Armanitola. Never particularly numerous, even at its peak during the height of the British Raj today their little community has nine families still regularly attend services at the Armenian Church on Armanitola road, just as they have done so, because it in 1781
openthe church is locked normally, but there is a caretaker and the friendly locals will call him usually when people want to have a look. He will open the church. A little narrow chapel with wooden benches and a high vaulted ceiling
Dhaka all about the people. Whether it's students in cages rickshaws or women Stones play on the side of the road, bare foot sea urchins among the discarded debris of a failed site or exhausted, sweat stained cart pullers enjoy rare down time nibbling at a biscuit, Dhaka Altstadt break gives you a snapshot of how life for the vast majority of Bangladeshis in their capital is
logistics -. the best way to see the old town is to go with a guide. Many people are not the places that may want you to visit even if they could understand English
environment -. The only way is by rickshaw. The streets and alleys are simply too small for any kind of motorized transport
Getting to Bangladesh -. Regular Flights to Dhaka from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok
Visa -. Varies depending on nationality. The best thing is your next Bangladeshi Embassy to contact
accommodations -. Is a good choice Pacific Hotel in Motijheel, the main business district (www.pacifichoteldhaka.com), but the area is very quiet at night. Al-Razzaque International is more central to the old town and on a busy street, north-south road. But busy is busy! Sheraton and Pan Pacific hotels can also be found a little further north
Places to eat -. The area Motijheel is home to a growing number of small deli type places that offer reasonably Western dishes in clean environments Price. Helvettia is an example right next to the Pacific Hotel. The Al-Razzaque International has a large dining room on the ground floor, which is equally popular with locals and tourists
General information -. Your competent partner for Bangladeshi info is a couple of brothers named Mahmud and Mahfuz. They can help organize hotels, airport pick-ups and guide people around Dhaka, and of course the Old Town. They were mentioned in recent Lonely Planet guide to Bangladesh and are highly recommended.
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