Bangladesh

Introduction VII PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1 Chapter 1 Background Information 3 Geography 3, Climate 4, Natural history and conservation 7, History 9, Government and politics 21, Economy 22, Development 24, People 26, Language 28, Religion 30, Education 32, Culture 32 Chapter 2 Practical Information 37 When to visit 37, Highlights 38, Suggested itineraries 41, Tour operators 42, Red tape 42, Embassies and high commissions 46, Getting there and away 48, Health 53, Safety and security 65, Women travellers 67, Disabled travellers 68, Travelling with children 69, What to take 69, Money 71, Budgeting 73, Getting around 73, Accommodation 78, Eating and drinking 81, Public holidays and festivals 86, Shopping 91, Arts and entertainment 93, Media and communications 95, Business 97, Cultural etiquette 99, Travelling positively 101, Living in Bangladesh 104 PART TWO THE GUIDE 113 Chapter 3 Dhaka 115 History 116, Getting there and away 117, Getting around 124, Tourist information 128, Where to stay 129, Where to eat 138, Entertainment and nightlife 144, Shopping 148, Other practicalities 152, What to see 154, Day trips from Dhaka 166 Chapter 4 Dhaka Division 177 Bhawal National Park 177, Mymensingh 178, Around Mymensingh 181, Tangail 183, Around Tangail 184 Chapter 5 Sylhet Division 189 History 190, Language 190, Sylhet 191, Around Sylhet 197, Ja'ong 199, Cherrapunjee 200, Sunamganj 201, Srimongol 203, Around Srimongol 217 Chapter 6 Chittagong Division 221 Chittagong 221, Around Chittagong 236, Sitakund 237, Chittagong Hill Tracts 238, Cox's Bazaar 254, Around Cox's Bazaar 263, Teknaf 264, St Martin's Island 265, Noakhali 270, Hatiya Island 271, Nijhum Dwip 273, Comilla 273, Around Comilla 277 Chapter 7 Khulna and Barisal Divisions 279 Khulna 279, Around Khulna 285, Bagerhat 287, Mongla 289, Sundarban 290, Jessore 297, Around Jessore 302, Benapol/Petrapol 303, Kushtia 304, Around Kushtia 308, Barisal 309, Bhola Island 312, Kuakata 314 Chapter 8 Rajshahi and Rangpur Divisions 319 Rajshahi 320, Around Rajshahi 325, Puthia 326, Natore 327, Pabna 329, Around Pabna 330, Chapai Nawabganj 332, Bogra 334, Around Bogra 338, Paharpur and Mahasthan: the Buddhist monuments 338, Rangpur 343, Around Rangpur 347, Kurigram 348, Lalmonirhat district 348, Saidpur 351, Around Saidpur 353, Dinajpur 353, Around Dinajpur 356, Thakurgaon 358, Around Thakurgaon 359, Panchagarh 359, Around Panchagarh 360 Appendix 1 Language 363 Appendix 2 Further Information 373 Index