Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace)

Dhaka

Provided byRenee Vititoe/Shutterstock.com

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Home Asia Bangladesh Dhaka Do & SeeAhsan Manzil (Pink Palace)

Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace)

Perhaps the city's most iconic landmark, this impressive palace dates back to 1872 and is a must for any visit to Dhaka. Renovations in the 1980s have left all 23 rooms just as they looked at their most luxurious and grandiose, and a walk through the palace is like a trip through time. A standout feature is the enormous elephant skull, a former Nawab's favourite.

Information

addressAhsanullah Road, Dhaka
openingHoursSat–Wed 10:30am–5:30pm, Fri 3pm–8pm

More in Do & See

National Assembly of Bangladesh (Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban)

The construction of this masterpiece, designed by Louis Kahn, took 22 years from 1961 until its completion in 1983, interrupted only by the war for liberation from Pakistan. Today, the structure is used as assembly grounds by the parliament of the country. The monumental building ranks among some of the finest examples of modern Bangladeshi architecture.

Do & SeeRead more →

Lalbagh Fort

The fort and its beautiful gardens are a great place to escape the bustle of the city streets for a while. Dating back to 1684, the complex includes three monuments: the Quilla Mosque, the Tomb of Pari Bibi and the Hall of Audience. This last one, the only one visitors can enter, houses a small museum containing coins, carpets, paintings and more.

Do & SeeRead more →

Sadarghat Boat Terminal

The Buriganga River, which runs peacefully through Dhaka, showcases a microcosm of the whole country on its banks. You can see people fishing by the shore as your vessel navigates through the maze of boats making their way down the river. Taking a ride here is one of the best ways to get a true view of Bangladesh and its way of life.

Do & SeeRead more →

Dhakeswari Temple

Although this temple may seem modern, it stands on a most sacred spot, where temples have stood for centuries. It is the centre of the Hindu religion in Bangladesh, dedicated to Dhakeshwari, the protector deity of the city, and gathers thousands of followers every year during the Durga Puja festival in September.

Do & SeeRead more →

Tara Mosque

Another iconic monument of Dhaka, the Tara Mosque, or Star Mosque, has fascinated visitors and locals alike for years with its beautifully detailed mosaics. Interestingly, some tiles feature illustrations of Mt Fuji, since a renovation was done some 50 years ago using Japanese and English porcelain tiles.

Do & SeeRead more →

Bangladesh National Museum

The Bangladesh National Museum takes visitors on a tour through the country's natural, social and art history, its geology, flora and fauna, and much more, with its high-quality displays and unique artefacts (a standout feature is the large river racing boat). It is well worth a visit to get an understanding of the country's fascinating history.

Do & SeeRead more →

Botanical Gardens

These beautiful and serene botanical gardens offer city-dwellers a tranquil and quiet place to escape the hectic and noisy city life. The gardens cover over 40 hectares and feature a rich array of thousands of examples of local and foreign plant life, as well as a wealth of birds that have made the gardens their home.

Do & SeeRead more →

Liberation War Museum

Bangladesh's War of Independence from Pakistan in 1971 was a deadly and haunting conflict. The Liberation War Museum takes visitors on a difficult but important recollection of the war and its tragedies, and though it can be quite graphic at times, it is essential to understanding the country as it is today.

Do & SeeRead more →

Armenian Church

For centuries, there was a significant Armenian community in Bangladesh, though their presence is minimal today. Founded in 1781, the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection in Dhaka's Armanitola neighbourhood — named after the Armenian settlers — is a remnant of that era. This beautiful church is worth a visit, serving as a marker of the city's past and ongoing diversity.

Do & SeeRead more →

Suhrawardi Park

Once a racetrack, and the place where the Bangladeshi Declaration of Independence took place, this vast park holds historical importance. A fine place to relax by day, it converts into an open-air market at night, so there is never a bad time to visit.

Do & SeeRead more →