As a child, the idea of ‘getting lost’ was more adventurous than frightening. Many of us imagined getting lost and accidentally stumbling on to a mysterious door that would lead us to a magical kingdom. While we eventually outgrow those fairytale-esque imaginations, the idea of finding new places in a foreign land still excites us. For expats in Dhaka, they have the opportunity to explore this amazing land and its unique culture. But before you rent a flat in Dhaka and venture forth to experience all the city has to offer, get a better lay of the land and learn about all the popular activities for expats in Dhaka.
Tasting Some Food
Most expats in Dhaka are both curious and nervous at the same time about tasting authentic Bangladeshi foods. While the intoxicating smells of local specialties are difficult to ignore, the food itself may upset weak stomachs that are not used to them. But once you get acquainted with the taste, you’ll be very glad to brave through everything. And when it comes to food, Dhaka is unparalleled in Bangladesh. One of the main benefits of living in Dhaka is the diversity of food you’ll find.
If you are looking to taste the best Biriyani, then you need to go to Puran Dhaka. Places like ‘Hazi Biriyani’ and ‘Nanna Biriyani’ in Puran Dhaka have achieved legendary status. You can also go to either Mohammadpur or Khilgaon to indulge in some chicken or beef ‘Chaap’. Or if you want to play it safe and stick to fast food or foreign delicacies, then visit one of the many popular restaurants in Banani.
Doing Some Shopping
Once you are done tasting the exquisite foods of Dhaka city, it is time to do some shopping. The love for shopping transcends all boundaries and can be found among Bangladeshis as well as among expats in Dhaka. We love to spend hours browsing through items in shopping malls. Luckily, there are quite a few shopping malls in Dhaka that are fully equipped to handle any shopper’s needs.
The Bashundhara Shopping Center and Jamuna Future Park are excellent locations for finding high-quality products. Both of these places have shops that sell almost everything you need. However, if you want to buy locally crafted items that reflect Bangladeshi culture, you should pay a visit to the New Market or the ‘Doel Chattar’ in the Dhaka University area. Also, don’t forget to go to the Gulshan DNCC market to adorn your home with trendy home decor items.
Finding Some Fun
Even though expats come to Dhaka for business or for work, they still need to find some places to have fun. All work and no play is certainly not the best way to spend your weekends. But where to find some fun popular activities for expats in Dhaka? Fortunately, there is a large expat community in Dhaka who have established a number of clubs throughout the city.
Bannai and Gulshan have numerous such clubs; making them some of the best places for expats to live in Dhaka. There are also a number of famous parks in Dhaka that are perfect for a delightful afternoon walk. You can also visit the Cineplex or the Blockbuster movie theater to catch the latest flick.
Taking in Some History
This is an old city teeming with history. Dhaka has been an administrative hub for sultans, a jewel in the Mughal Empire, and the site of a revolution. It has been a home to people for more than a thousand years. While many of the city’s history is lost to the ages, there’s still plenty more to experience. And the best way to find where to start is to look at the historical expansion of Dhaka city.
Many archeological sites from the Mughal and pre-Mughal period can be found in Dhaka. Almost every street of the Puran Dhaka area is filled with history. Many of the buildings and archeological sites there date back to the Mughal and British period. It’s better to walk the narrow streets of the area to truly take in all the history of the place. There’s also the National Museum in Shahbag that has a vast collection of artifacts from Bangladesh’s history. The Liberation War Museum in Mirpur is a great place to visit in Mirpur and learn Bangladesh’s struggle for independence.
Going to live abroad is never easy and there are some things that expats should know before moving to Dhaka. Hopefully, this expat guide on how to navigate the streets of Dhaka will give you a better understanding of where to go to experience the city.
