Unseen Bangladesh
Munshiganj District · Dhaka Division · আড়িয়াল বিল
Arial Beel travel guide
A vast wetland in the monsoon, green fields and the wetland's sweet pumpkins in winter; a quiet place for a boat ride.
History and background
A low wetland of about 136 sq km between the Padma and Dhaleshwari, one of the country's oldest beels. In the monsoon it's a vast sheet of water, and in winter rice and its famous giant sweet pumpkins are grown. A plan to build an airport here was cancelled after a local protest movement.
How to get to Arial Beel
In Sreenagar upazila; by auto or boat from Sreenagar.
Munshiganj is about 27 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 1–1.5 hours.
- 🚌 By bus: Buses from Gulistan to Mawa or Munshiganj, fare ৳70–150.
- 🚢 By launch: Launch from Sadarghat to Munshiganj, fare ৳50–100.
Where to stay
The district town has basic and mid-range hotels (roughly ৳800–2,500). Government circuit houses and dak bungalows can be used with permission.
What to eat
Fried hilsa at Mawa Ghat, Bhagyakul sweets from Bikrampur
Good to know
- Boats are available at Gadighat, Sreenagar
- Go in the afternoon to see the monsoon sunset
More places to visit in Munshiganj district
- Padma Bridge viewpoint, Mawa — A superb view of the Padma Bridge, the country's biggest bridge; a popular riverside spot for fried hilsa.
- Idrakpur Fort — A Mughal river fort built by Mir Jumla around 1660; its round brick platform is still intact.
- Sonarang Twin Temples — Two tall temple towers side by side at Tongibari, examples of Bikrampur's old architecture.