5 best quick getaways from Dhaka for your Eid holiday

While some have their Eid holiday plans all set, others are still trying to make the most of it, with last-minute day trip plans and quick getaways from the city. Thankfully, we live in a country with no shortage of places waiting to be explored. We have discussed below some such places worth visiting, to make those day-long trips easier to plan.

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Panam City, Sonargaon

It is quite natural to wonder why this particular destination is so often featured in literally any travel list. Still, the only way to find that answer is by visiting the place itself. Of all the intriguing historic sites of Bangladesh, the enchanting Panam Nagar of Sonargaon, situated in Narayanganj, is a must-visit.

With dilapidated buildings lining both sides of a single street, Panam City offers a view of what was once a thriving trade centre in the 19th century. The architecture has been kept unaltered and maintained to this day for visitors, with the buildings offering a glimpse of colonial architecture.

The nearby area also has the Sonargaon Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation, inside which is a museum and a renovated mansion, “Baro Sarder Bari” that belonged to a wealthy merchant back in the days.

From Dhaka, it takes about 1-2 hours to reach Sonargaon and buses to the destination are available.

Moinot Ghat, Dohar

Moinot Ghat is a beautiful destination situated near Dhaka, in the Dohar Upazila. Visitors can take boat rides on the scenic river. One can also indulge in local hilsa fry, as the famous hilsa fish of Padma are caught fresh from the river and prepared for them. The riverbank also offers a beautiful view, with the sun setting on the horizon where the sky meets the mighty Padma.

It takes around 2 hours from Dhaka to reach Moinot Ghat, depending on traffic. Local buses from Dhaka are available for the trip.

Muktagacha Zamindar Bari

Situated in the Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh, the Muktagacha Zamindar Bari is a wondrous 18th-century mansion built back in the days for the zamindars of the region. It belonged to the Acharya Chowdhury family and was passed down in their family; now it is a preserved historic landmark.

The mansion is an exemplary example of the popular architectural style of merging colonial and traditional architecture, with heavy pillars and intricate local designs on the walls and arches. In front of the slowly fading pale white mansion is a lush green field, well-maintained for tourists.

From Dhaka, the journey takes about 3-4 hours, with buses as well as trains available for the trip. In the nearby area, there is also a sweet shop selling the famous 200-year-old traditional sweet called “Muktagachar Monda”, a must-try for anyone visiting.

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China Clay Hills, Netrokona

One of nature’s marvels, the China Clay Hills located in Bijoypur, in the Durgapur Upazila of Netrokona, is a beautiful destination for nature-loving tourists. The white clay hills are a rich source of a material called Kaolin, also known as China Clay. With the hills standing tall on two sides, there is also a turquoise lake flowing between them. The water has a high mineral content, which gives the lake its unique colour. Near the hills is the Someshwari River; boat rides through the river offer a soothing experience, especially on clear days.

The journey from Dhaka takes about 5-6.5 hours, so starting early is advised; buses to Netrokona are available.

Purbachal Balu River

The closest destination on this list, the Purbachal Balu River, is located at the border between Dhaka and Narayanganj. It is a serene location, with a sedimentary river flowing through, giving it the name Balu-river (sandy river). When water levels are high, some boat rides are available during the day, alongside a good view of the sunset from the riverbank.

The nearby area of Purbachal is famous for its Nila Market, packed with tourists at all hours of the day, even after sunset. Purbachal itself is a popular destination, with a variety of local sweets, tea stalls and the famous “duck meat curry” of Nila Market that has visitors lining up.

From Dhaka, it takes about 1 hour to travel, with public transport readily available. For sudden day trip plans and people who want to avoid lengthy trips, this is a wonderful destination for a quick getaway.

Whether you are looking to spend a day-long Eid vacation, trying to escape work stress or want to enjoy a day out with friends and family, a quick retreat to the outskirts of the capital is almost always the answer, especially when that capital is one as busy as Dhaka city, and its outskirts are some tempting locations for day trips.