Khulna is the main city in Khulna Division in Bangladesh. On the bank of Rupsha (and Bhairav) river, it is known as the industrial city and located in southern part of Bangladesh. A large part of the Sundarbans, a UNESCO world heritage is located in Khulna. It has many Jute mills, the only newsprint mill and hardboard mill of Bangladesh, the only state-owned match factory (Dada match, later Dhaka match), Oxygen company (BOL), Ship yard. Khulna is the 3rd largest city in Bangladesh after Dhaka and Chittagong. It is a quiet, calm city inhabited by 1.5 million people.
Get in:
By air:
Regent Airways [3] and United Airways[4] have regular flights (two daily) to Jessore air port and both of these airlines provide shuttle bus to Khulna city. Cost approximately Tk. 5000 (USD 65.00).
By bus:
· Regular buses all day and night runs from capital city Dhaka to Khulna. Well known are Shohag Paribahan (transport) [5], Eagle transport, A K Travels, Hanif transport etc. They all have air conditioned and normal chair coach services. Cost approximately Tk 500 (USD 7.00). Usual time is 7 hours.
· Buses also run from Jessore (Tk50, 1 hour)
By boat:
· The Rocket Steamer launches from here several times per week heading to Dhaka (Tk 1200/650 for 1st/2nd class per person, 2 per cabin, 26-30 hours) with a few stops along the way including Barisal. It departs Khulna at 2:45AM, but it's possible to board the boat around 6-7PM the night before and sleep in your berth for no extra charge. The boats launch from Rocket Ghat just behind the train station, where you'll also find the BIWTC office for ticket bookings.
By train:
There are 2 trains per day from Dhaka to Khulna. One day train (Chittra express) and one night train (Sundarban Express). Check the schedule in advance as the trains have an off day. Prices range from 500 tk for a non-ac seat, 1.000 tk for a 1st class (snighda) seat or 1.750 taka for an AC bed.
There is a weekly international service from Kolkata, India called Bandhan Express. It is a fully air-conditioned train with Chair Car and First Class compartments.
Get around:
· Cycle-rickshaws are the main method of transport. From the bus stand to the center or from one end of town to the other shouldn't run more than about Tk10, and as little as Tk4 for shorter journeys.
· It is also possible to rent a scooter (3 wheel) for little longer journeys.
See:
· Wonderland Shishu (Child) park. At Khalishpur region. A theme park.
· Fultola Zoo. Maintained by Bangladesh Army. A nice place to spend a whole day. Take a scooter from the city center.
· Gollamari Memorial. Memoir for the mass murder in Gollamari river during independence war of 1971. On the way to Khulna University.
· Khulna University, [1]. Located at Gollamari, a modern univerity area with nice view and lakes. Good for spending an afternoon in natural surroundings. edit
· Rupsha Bridge, a place frequently visited by local people. In the Lobon Chora area. A long awaited bridge over the Rupsha river connecting Bagerhat and Mongla port. You can walk along the bridge and take a snap of Khulna city and the Rupsha river.
· The Home of Khan E Sabur, located at Lobon Chora area. Go by rickshaw or scooter. A nice garden and pond. Open for public access. It is a police camp now. A two lion sculpture to the Rupsha river with staircase into the river. There is a nice view of the river and nature.
· Prem Kanun. Nice statues made of trees and its really awesome place.
· St Joseph's Church, Babu Khan Rd. A catholic church run by the friendly, English-speaking Father Jacob. Daily mass is at 6AM, and they welcome visitors.
· Market stalls run along the river between the train station and the ferry terminal. While their products are unlikely to be what tourists are looking to buy, the people are friendly, many of the tea stalls are great, and from time to time you get a glimpse of the river.
Writer: নুসরাত জাহান