Bangladesh via Instagram

Bangladesh is a fascinating and under-visited country. Its neighbor, India, usually receives most of the attention, as well as tourist traffic. When Bangladesh is making headlines, it’s so often for a natural disaster that has struck or focusing on the poverty that has plagued the country for decades. The country has been trying to shake itself from these associations. There is so much more to Bangladesh, and that’s what I’m trying to show with these Instagram photos.
 
Bangladesh is open to accepting tourists, and even more so, the people of Bangladesh are so welcoming and friendly. To make it easier, the government has changed its visa policy to offer a visa-on-arrival to many nationalities.

However, travelers should not take to traveling here lightly. It is a place that may overwhelm first time travelers. Bangladesh is a chance to witness a vastly different way of life, but travel here takes a toll on the traveler. It’s often unbearably hot and humid, the cities can be dusty and polluted, and the sheer amount activity in the streets makes you physically and mentally exhausted.
 
Life in Bangladesh is humanity at its most raw. It’s is a place that all of us should witness at some point in our life. But until you get here, these photos can help bring Bangladesh to you.
 
If you enjoy these, see more from my via Instagram series: Peru via Instagram, The Australian Outback via Instagram, Hong Kong via Instagram, Myanmar via Instagram, and Kolkata via Instagram.
 

Bangladesh via Instagram

The masses return to Dhaka after spending the Eid-ul Adha holiday in their hometowns. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 2, 2015 at 5:12pm PDT

Street-side barber shop #Dhaka #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 2, 2015 at 8:58pm PDT

Wandering through one of many markets in Old Dhaka. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 3, 2015 at 4:42am PDT

Daily newspaper displayed #Dhaka street-side. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 3, 2015 at 9:19am PDT

Bangla street snacks #Dhaka #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 4, 2015 at 9:47am PDT

(cycle) Rickshaw drivers in #Dhaka spend about 100 taka ($1.30 US) to rent their rickshaw for the day and then go to work. Riders pay about 40 taka ($.50 US) for a 2-3 km journey, less for shorter trips.

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 4, 2015 at 7:25pm PDT

Green, green, Bangladesh. View from the train. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 5, 2015 at 5:44am PDT

Buying a newspaper in Old #Dhaka #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 5, 2015 at 8:16pm PDT

Most of the tea pickers in Bangladesh were moved here by the British in the 19th century. They are Hindu in majority Muslim country today. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 6, 2015 at 9:11am PDT

Turmeric is a common ingredient in Bangla cuisine. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 6, 2015 at 8:00pm PDT

Tea cultivation in Bangladesh was started by the British in the 19th century. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 7, 2015 at 5:07am PDT

Rail station #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 7, 2015 at 9:08am PDT

Colorful Dhaka #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 7, 2015 at 6:11pm PDT

It’s how Bangladeshis roll. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 8, 2015 at 3:18am PDT

Down by the river in Dhaka…#ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 8, 2015 at 6:17am PDT

The Mughal-built Lalbagh Fort is one of the few tourist sights in Dhaka. It’s where I saw only the second tourist in this country on Day 7 of my trip. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 8, 2015 at 6:10pm PDT

#Dhaka rickshaw art #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 9, 2015 at 4:21am PDT

Three-wheeled traffic jam, #Dhaka #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 10, 2015 at 4:37am PDT

Waiting for the ferry crossing.

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 10, 2015 at 8:41pm PDT

Our hike in the #Sundarbans led us through the Mangrove Forest today, ending at the Bay of Bengal. This guy followed behind us just in case a Bengal Tiger decided to join us for the walk. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 10, 2015 at 9:53pm PDT

Bangladesh has no shortage of water. This is one green country. View from the boat on the way south to the Sundarbans. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 11, 2015 at 7:04am PDT

The Sundarbans is the largest continuous Mangrove Forest in the world. 3/5 is located in Bangladesh and 2/5 in India. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 11, 2015 at 6:27pm PDT

My home for the past three days with The Guide Tours on our trip to the Sundarbans. I miss it already. Every morning started with a paddle powered trip in a small boat to see (and hear) the birds and other wildlife. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 11, 2015 at 8:48pm PDT

The meadow of the Sundarbans. It’s where the deer eat, and sometimes get eaten by tigers.

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 12, 2015 at 4:48am PDT

Boat is probably the most Bangladeshi way to travel. But first you have to buy a ticket. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 12, 2015 at 6:34am PDT

Despite warnings of the resident crocodile, people still bathe in the water tank outside Khan Jahan Ali Tomb. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 12, 2015 at 8:25am PDT

Riding the 1930’s era Rocket. A real working relic from colonial days. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 12, 2015 at 7:52pm PDT

Good morning from the upper deck of the Rocket! #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 12, 2015 at 10:17pm PDT

After a relaxing 23 hours on the Rocket, I’m back in Dhaka. #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 13, 2015 at 12:12am PDT

Going to miss all the friendly Bangladeshis most of all. Always #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 13, 2015 at 6:29am PDT

Old Dhaka ads #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 13, 2015 at 1:28pm PDT

Rickshaw art is a serious business in #Dhaka #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 13, 2015 at 11:07pm PDT

This man sold me the morning newspaper in #Dhaka on my last day of #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 14, 2015 at 5:11am PDT

Thanks for all the great adventures, Bangladesh! See you next time! #ShineOnBangladesh

A photo posted by Bohemian Traveler (@bohemiantraveler) on Oct 14, 2015 at 3:29pm PDT