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Khulna
Khulna is the capital of Khulna Division in Bangladesh and the main gateway to the Sundarbans. It's a large spread out town, but reasonably nice for a Bangladeshi city.
Travel to Khulna, visa requirements
- Buses run from Jessore (Tk30, 1 hour).
- The Rocket Steamer launches from here several times per week heading to Dhaka (Tk 1010/610 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.
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.
Khulna attractions and sightseeing
- 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.
City tours
Shopping, Khulna souvenirs
- New Market, Khan A Sabar Rd, (in the north of the town). This is a big two-story shopping complex, selling clothing, electronics, etc. It's not too exciting, but a good place to buy a Bangladeshi outfit, a cell phone, or cd's and dvd's. Check out Coffee Heaven on the 1st floor for a refresher between shopping and using the internet cafes - they indeed have a large contraption that resembles an espresso machine.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
- Aloka Restaurant, 1 Khan A Sabar Rd. This is a good option if you're staying in the central hotel district, with friendly waiters serving delicious Bengali food. Meals from around Tk 60. It's on the 2nd floor, look up for the sign.
- Hotel Western International has a very good restaurant on site, serving several different cuisines, including a few good soups and a spicy version of fish and chips! Meals from Tk 150.
Khulna nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
To the east of the intersection of Khan A Sabar Rd and Cemetery Rd is a cluster of budget hotels in the various alleys.
- Hotel Society, in the cluster of hotels around the city center, probably never lived up to its name. Tiny rooms with cold showers, squat toilets and mosquito nets are just bearable. They ask Tk75/50 for attached/shared bath, but attached can be bargained down to at least Tk60, making it a worthy budget option.
- Hotel Park, 46 K.D. Ghosh Road, +24077, 20990. An ok option. Rooms Tk150-750.
- Hotel Royal International, 33 K.D.A.Avenue, +88-041-21638, 21639. A nicer hotel with rooms from Tk500-1300.
- Hotel Western International, 51 Khan A Sabar Rd, +88 733 191. The nicest hotel in the town, with very friendly staff and nice, clean rooms. Tk800+.
Stay safe
- Khulna Metropolitan Police Control Room, 20220.
Cope
- Khulna Sadar Hospital, 20133.
Contact
- Cafe.net, 2/2 Babu Khan Rd. Has a handful of computers on a fairly slow connection. Tk20/hour.
- Messenger Cyber Cafe is probably the best of a handful on the top floor of New Market in the north of the city, with a decent connection (for Khulna), Tk20/hour.
Get out
- Sundarbans - Khulna is a good place to arrange a trip into the Sundarbans, and there are several private operators. If you're on a budget try comparing prices among the several lined up near the BIWTC Rocket reservation office.
- Guide Tours, KDA Building, 041 731 384, [1] is one of the most reliable, with several-day excursions costing around $150/person or more.
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