Sonargaon was the medieval capital of Bengal, and Panam Nagar is a lane of crumbling 19th-century merchant mansions. The Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Museum nearby displays regional handicrafts in a lakeside setting.
Sonargaon, 27 km east of Dhaka in Narayanganj District, was the capital of medieval Bengal under the Sultanate and the Baro-Bhuiyans. Panam Nagar is a single lane of about 50 dilapidated two- and three-storey mansions built by Hindu merchants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and is often used for film shoots. A separate visit covers the Folk Art and Crafts Museum (Sonargaon Museum), a colonial-style building beside a lake, followed by the Goaldi Mosque and the Sonakanda fort ruins. From Dhaka the simplest public route is a Chattogram-highway bus from Sayedabad or Gulistan to Mograpara, then a CNG or rickshaw for the last few kilometres. A car with driver cuts the trip to about an hour off-peak. Plan a morning start, lunch in Mograpara, and a return before the 16:00 traffic build-up.
| Distance | About 27 km east of Dhaka |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1-2 hours each way by road |
| Getting there | Mode: Bus or car; Detail: Bus from Sayedabad or Gulistan toward Mograpara/Sonargaon, then CNG or rickshaw to Panam Nagar; or Uber/Pathao car or hired car with driver |
| Cost | About BDT 300-600 (~$2.44-4.89) round trip by bus and CNG, plus entry about BDT 200-500 (~$1.63-4.08) for foreigners at the main sites |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Panam Nagar, Sonargaon, Narayanganj 1440 |
How to get there
- Bus: Sayedabad or Gulistan to Mograpara Chowrasta (1-2 hrs, BDT 60-100), then CNG or rickshaw
- Car with driver from Dhaka (about 1-1.5 hrs off-peak)
- Ride-hail (Uber/Pathao) one way, then a local CNG for the return
- Guided day tour by local operators
Location
Panam Nagar, Sonargaon, Narayanganj 1440
23.6528, 90.5988 View on map
Highlights
- Panam Nagar merchant houses (19th century)
- Folk Art and Crafts Museum at Sonargaon
- Goaldi Mosque (15th century) and Sonakanda fort ruins
- Handicraft workshops and sweets at Mograpara
Tips for visiting
- Go on a weekday, when it is quieter
- Wear comfortable shoes; the lane is uneven
- Carry cash: no card facilities at the ticket booths
- Museum opening days vary; check the day before
When to visit
Cool season (November-February) for walking; avoid midday heat and the monsoon mud.
Accessibility
Uneven, dusty paths and steps in the old houses; not wheelchair friendly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sonargaon a good half-day or full-day trip?
It fits a half-day from Dhaka if you start early; add the museum and Goaldi Mosque for a full day.
How do I get there without a car?
Take a highway bus from Sayedabad or Gulistan to Mograpara, then a CNG auto-rickshaw to Panam Nagar.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, foreigners pay a higher rate than locals at Panam Nagar and the museum; carry cash.