The Bangladesh National Museum in Shahbagh, Dhaka is the country's largest repository of cultural and historical artifacts, drawing an estimated 15 million visitors a year. Before you go, here is what matters most: it is closed every Thursday, hours shift between summer and winter seasons, and entry tickets are inexpensive for Bangladeshi citizens but priced differently for foreign and SAARC visitors.
What are the museum's hours and ticket prices?
The museum runs on three separate schedules depending on the time of year: a summer timetable from April through September, a winter timetable from October through March, and adjusted hours during Ramadan. Across all seasons, the museum stays shut on Thursdays and on government holidays, and the ticket counter closes at least 30 minutes before the museum itself does.
How should I plan the visit itself?
The museum's four main departments cover history and classical art, ethnology and decorative arts, contemporary art and world civilization, and natural history, spread across a ground floor and three upper floors. A focused visit covering the highlights takes most travelers about two hours, though history and art enthusiasts often spend longer.