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Trip to Sonargaon, the First Capital of Bengal

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Price $65 Day Trip
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Trip to Sonargaon, the First Capital of Bengal

$65 tour starting at

Trip to Sonargaon – the first capital of Bengal, is a great treat. Sonargaon was the country’s first capital from the 13th to 17th century, located about 30km southeast by the Dhaka Chittagong highway. In its prime time, the ‘Golden City’ was also an important river port and the trading center for the world-famous muslin cloth. The remains of several mosques, tombs, stupas and a bridge in Panam Nagar, the Shiv Mandir (Hindu temple) and the well-maintained Folk-Art Museum are well worth visiting. A boat trip on the Meghna River for some hours and visiting a primitive char village are the activities of this trip.

Embarking on a day trip to Sonargaon is like stepping into a living museum. As you explore the remnants of its glorious past, you can’t help but feel the echoes of bygone eras reverberating through its weathered walls.

One of the highlights of Sonargaon is the magnificent Panam City, a once-thriving trading center during the Mughal era. Today, it stands as a ghost town, its dilapidated mansions and crumbling buildings serving as poignant reminders of its former grandeur. Strolling through its narrow lanes, you’ll encounter architectural marvels adorned with ornate carvings and intricate motifs, transporting you to a time of opulence and prosperity.

A visit to the Folk Art and Crafts Museum in Sonargaon offers a glimpse into the traditional arts and crafts of the region. The museum showcases a diverse collection of artifacts, including pottery, textiles, woodwork, and metalwork, providing a deeper understanding of the local craftsmanship and artistic traditions.

For a serene escape, visit the charming Goaldi Mosque, an architectural gem adorned with terracotta carvings and intricate details. Its peaceful surroundings and the harmonious blend of Islamic and Bengali architectural styles make it a tranquil spot for reflection and admiration.

At its origin, a visit to the Jamdani saree weaving factory is a must; here, the scholar artist has been weaving their dreams on sarees. With Muslin as its root, the Jamdani Saree is a very old tradition known as Dhakai Jamdani Saree. Jamdani started its journey during the Mughal era as Muslin. This saree represents one of the finest and most ancient forms of weaving that originated in Bengal. Recently this unique technique has got a UNESCO award for its ultra-fine fabric, transparency, and design. It is always a dream for Bengali women to have one pure cotton & silk hand-loomed Jamdani saree in their collection.

No visit to Sonargaon is complete without a boat ride on the mighty Meghna River. Drift along its gentle currents, witnessing the idyllic riverine landscapes and absorbing the tranquility that envelops the area.

Throughout your journey, engage with the locals, who are warm and hospitable, and take the opportunity to savor the flavors of the region’s traditional cuisine. From mouthwatering delicacies like hilsha fish curries to sweet treats like mishti doi (sweet yogurt), the culinary delights of Sonargaon add an extra layer of richness to your experience.

A day trip to Sonargaon offers an enchanting blend of history, architecture, and natural beauty. It allows you to step back in time, unraveling the layers of a once-thriving capital and connecting with the heritage of Bengal. As you leave Sonargaon, you’ll carry with you the memories of a journey through history, forever treasuring the cultural significance and timeless charm of this remarkable place.

  • Tour Price
  • $ 65
    price starts from
  • Group Size Per-person price in USD Or in BDT
    1 PAX $150.00 15,000.00
    2 PAX $90.00 9,000.00
    4 PAX $75.00 7,500.00
    6+ PAX $65.00 6,500.00
    1.2% to 2.5% charges will be applicable while paying by credit card.
  • Reserved vehicle and driver
  • A knowledgeable English-speaking guide
  • A light lunch at a local restaurant
  • All entrance fees and necessary permits
  • Bottled water, soft drinks, tea seasonal fruits and old Dhaka special snacks
  • All rickshaw and boat rides

Personal expenses, gratuities, and any activity not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.

  • Destination
  • Departure
    Your hotel/ residence (anywhere in Dhaka city)
  • Departure Time
    8:00 AM
  • Return Time
    Approximately 6:00 PM or later; depending on your interests and the traffic situation
  • Dress Code
    Casual, comfortable athletic clothing, closed shoes, hat. Warm jacket during the winter (November to February). Raincoat/ umbrella during the rainy season (May to August). Full sleeves are always necessary while visiting any religious place, mosque, temple, church or a trip during Ramadan.
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Tour Itinerary:
Our guide will come to pick you up at 8:00 AM and leave Dhaka for Sonargaon. On the way, we shall take our first stop in Nawapara Jamdani village. This is where the magic fingers are at weaving traditional Jamdani sari, which is an incredible artwork with a narrow future due to the cheaper productions of modern technology. Continue drive to the old capital of Bengal – Sonargaon; Panam Nagar, beautiful Sadarbari, well-maintained Folk-Art Museum are well worth visiting. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.  Continue to Buiddyer Bazar for a refreshing country boat cruise on the Meghna (One of the major rivers in Bangladesh) River for a couple of hours. This river trip will include an interesting walk to explore the primitive Char village life. Char is a temporary sandy shifting island formed by river erosion and sedimentation. There are thousands of chars in Bangladesh up from the northern part till to the south coast. This char can disappear by flooding, high tide, strong river current or by any natural disaster or so. Life on the char is very limited; access to the medical care centre and education is very tough, impossible in some areas. You will return to your hotel by late in the afternoon.    

Tour Location

Jamdani saree weaving village, Sonargaon folk art and craft museum, Panam nagar, boating on Meghna river and walk through a char village.
 
     

Comments:

  • mikelboe | minneapolis

    April 5, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    2 days in Dhaka
    Apr 2016 • Friends
    Jewel was fantastic. He designed a perfect day trip for me and when my flight got cancelled, he was fortunately available and planned another fantastic day for me. He is knowledgeable, speaks perfect English, is hard working and knows how to create a good time. My day in Dhaka was kind of dipping my foot in the water to see what it was like. Thanks to Jewel, I will certainly be back. I highly recommend him to anyone travelling to Bangladesh.

  • SmokingGnu Singapore, Singapore

    May 16, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    Wonderful Tour and Guide
    May 2016 • Friends
    We took a full day (8.30-7pm) tour with tour guide Jewel around old Dhaka in the morning and out to Sonargaon in the afternoon. Dhaka isn’t an easy place for tourists at all, but Jewel looked after us brilliantly. He was really knowledgeable and adapted the day to us and also to the weather conditions (we got hit hard by the monsoon on the morning walking tour, but it wasn’t a problem). Overall, an amazing experience and great value for money – we saw a huge amount in a single day – backstreets, museums, churches, palaces, countryside. Highly recommended. P.S Fans of the kitsch – don’t miss the “new Taj Mahal”. Mindboggling!

  • Robert

    September 22, 2019 at 10:48 am

    Fantastic trip on the river and Dhaka surroundings!
    Sep 2019
    I booked a trip with Jewel, the owner of Royal Bengal Tours. Easy communication, fast and correct, and the trip was well planned and full of different experiences throughout the day. Jewel is very knowledgeable and answers every question with both knowledge and happiness. Strongly recommend Jewel and would go for the same agency again. We took a trip to the old capital, sewing village, and a trip on the river to remote villages. Very nice trip!

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