Tourism in Bangladesh includes tourism to World Heritage Sites, historical monuments, resorts, beaches, picnic spots, forests, tribal people, and wildlife of various species. Activities for tourists include angling, water skiing, river cruising, hiking, rowing, yachting, beachgoing and sea bathing.[1][2]
In the northern part, comprising the Rangpur & Rajshahi division, there are archaeological sites, including the temple city Puthia in Rajshahi; the largest and most ancient archaeological site, Mahasthangarh in Bogra; the single largest Buddhist monastery, Paharpur in Naogaon; the most ornamental terracotta Hindu temple, Kantaji Temple, and many rajbaris or palaces of old zamindars.
In the southeastern part of the Chittagong Division, there are natural and hilly areas like the Chittagong Hill Tracts, along with sandy sea beaches. The most notable beach, in Cox's Bazar, is a contender for the title of the longest unbroken sandy sea beach in the world.[3]
In the southwestern part, mainly the Khulna Division, there is the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world with the royal Bengal tiger and spotted deer. The historically and architecturally significant sixty domed mosques in Bagerhat are notable sites. In the northeastern part of the Sylhet division, there is a green carpet of tea plants on small hillocks. Natural reserved forests are great attractions. Migratory birds in winter are also beautiful, particularly in the haor areas.
The Ministry of Tourism and The Civil Aviation Ministry designs national policies for developing and promoting tourism. The Ministry also maintains the Beautiful Bangladesh campaign. Bangladesh Government has formed a Tourist Police unit to protect local and foreign tourists better and look after the nature and wildlife in the tourist spots.