Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace)

The Pink Palace is divided into western and eastern wings, which meet at an octagonal apex, giving it the appearance of a lotus flower. The Bangladesh National Museum owns and operates the palace, and parts of it are open to the public. Many half-day and full-day city tours stop at the riverside palace, but often it's only to view the exterior architecture. You'll need Ashan Manzil tickets to go inside.

• The exterior of the Ahsan Manzil is a must-visit for photographers and fans of architecture.

• The entrance to the palace is up a steep set of stairs. Wheelchair users should check with their guide about accessibility issues.

• Visitors from Bangladesh and SAARC member countries receive discounted admission.

The Pink Palace is on the banks of the Buringanga River in the Kumartuli area of Dhaka. It's about a 5-minute walk from the Sadar Ghat ferry terminal, with boat service to other parts of the city. Plenty of busses stop nearby, too. Most visitors come on guided tours or by taxi or autorickshaw.

Ahsan Manzil is a sight to behold by night or day. To see the inside, you'll need to come when it's open, which is daily, except for Thursday. On Saturday–Wednesday, the museum opens in the morning and closes in late afternoon. On Friday, it opens in the afternoon and stays open until mid-evening.

Take a 5-minute drive or 15-minute walk from Ashan Manzil to another one of Dhaka’s more impressive architectural sites—the Star Mosque, or Tara Masjid as it’s called in Bengali. Its name references the hundreds of little blue stars that cover it. They're made using a mosaic technique called chinitikri, which uses broken chinaware and glass to create beautiful patterns.