Notified in 1982 to protect the remnant coppice sal woodland of the Bhawal Estate, this park spans thousands of hectares of low clay ridges known as chalas. The tall, straight trunks of Shorea robusta trees filter the light, and dirt walking paths lead around several artificial lakes where rowboats can be hired. Birdwatchers can spot kingfishers, drongos and green bee-eaters along the edges of the water. Avoid major national holidays when sound systems and picnic parties take over the lawns.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳20; car parking about ৳100; paddle boats roughly ৳100–200 per hour
How to get to Bhawal National Park
About 40 km north of Dhaka on the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway. Any Mymensingh-bound bus from Mohakhali drops right at the park main gate in about 1.5 hours.
Gazipur town is about 35 km from Dhaka, around 1.5 hours by road. Every way to get there is in the Gazipur guide.
Avoid visiting on Friday afternoons and public holidays when large picnic groups create heavy noise.
More to see in Gazipur
Photo: সিরাজুল লিটন, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Bhawal Rajbari ভাওয়াল রাজবাড়ী
The vast colonial palace of the Bhawal zamindars in Joydebpur, centre of the famous Sanyasi Raja inheritance trial.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free to view courtyards; auto-rickshaw from Chowrasta roughly ৳30
Photo: Khondkar Mostaque ahmed, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Nuhash Polli নুহাশ পল্লী
A 40-acre wooded estate and sculpture garden founded by author Humayun Ahmed, set with ponds and medicinal plants.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳200 per person; auto-rickshaw from Hotapara junction about ৳150–200
Photo: Anik Sarker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Sreefaltali Zamindar Bari শ্রীফলতলী জমিদার বাড়ি
A tranquil 19th-century zamindar estate in Kaliakair, split into two ornate wings with ponds and brick archways.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- No official entry fee; bus to Kaliakair roughly ৳60, rickshaw to the estate about ৳30