Dhaka

Dhaka, city of mosques, is the proud – and rapidly expanding – commercial and cultural hub of Bangladesh. On the upper reaches of the Ganges delta, it’s notoriously susceptible to flooding in monsoon season, and has had more than its fair share of troubles. Today it’s a thriving city, with more than just a touch of old colonial glamour between the modest concrete high-rises.

Must See:
Head south-west for a glimpse of the majestic Lalbagh Fort, an impressive (though partly ruined) Mughal palace fortress near the banks of the Buriganga River.

Must eat at:
Expect freshly-caught seafood supreme in the Jharna Grill at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel – which although not the cheapest in town, comes with absolute local quality built-in.

Must be there for:
Not so much an event as a daily way of life in Dhaka is your chance to rummage and shop – for practically nothing – at the Banglabazaar, where you can find all manner of locally-made clothing, footwear and jewellery.

Well-travelled facts:
· Avoid summer in Dhaka - 80% of the city’s annual rainfall happens between May and September.
· There may be as many as 400,000 rickshaw drivers in the city

Visa:
British citizens need a visa to visit Bangladesh. For full information, please visit www.bhclondon.org.uk