Panam City: The Lost City of Bengal

Explore Panam City, Sonargaon: A hauntingly beautiful ghost town showcasing Bengal's rich history and colonial-era architecture.

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Panam City

Panam City, also known as Panam Nagar, is a deserted historic township in Sonargaon, Bangladesh, dating back to the late 19th century. Once a thriving commercial hub for Hindu merchants, it now stands as a hauntingly beautiful ghost town with well-preserved colonial-era architecture.

A brief summary to Panam City

Sonargaon, Panam City, BD

Local tips

Visit during the cooler months (November to March) for a more pleasant experience, avoiding the intense heat and humidity.
Allow at least 3-4 hours to explore Panam City and nearby attractions like the Folk Arts and Crafts Museum.
Tickets cannot be purchased online, so arrive early to avoid long queues, especially on weekends and public holidays.
Photography enthusiasts will find endless opportunities to capture the decaying beauty and intricate details of the city.

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Getting There

Public Transport

From Dhaka, take a bus from Gulistan Bus Station to Mograpara. Bus fare ranges from 40-70 BDT. From Mograpara, hire a CNG (auto-rickshaw/tuk-tuk) to reach Panam City, costing approximately 20-40 BDT. Alternatively, you can walk for 5 minutes to Panam City from the Sonargaon Folk and Handicraft Museum.
Car

Drive from Dhaka to Sonargaon, approximately 30 km. Follow the Dhaka-Chittagong highway and take the Sonargaon exit. Parking is available near the Sonargaon Folk Arts and Crafts Museum. Car parking fees are 50 BDT for cars, SUVs, and vans.

Discover more about Panam City

Panam City, located 27km east of Dhaka in Sonargaon, is a captivating step back in time. Emerging in the late 19th century, it served as a residential and commercial enclave for wealthy Hindu merchants during British colonial rule. The city's design blends European colonial styles with traditional Bengali architecture. Panam City stretches along a single, 5-meter wide street, lined with 52 abandoned houses of varying sizes. These structures, ranging from one to three stories, showcase a unique urban street-front character with verandas, balconies, and decorative parapets. The city is enclosed by artificial canals, indicative of its design as a suburban area. Following the partition of India in 1947 and subsequent riots, the Hindu merchants migrated to India, leaving Panam City deserted. Today, it stands as an archaeological site, attracting tourists with its architectural beauty and historical significance. Ongoing restoration efforts aim to preserve its rich legacy, offering visitors a glimpse into Bengal's past. Nearby attractions include the Sonargaon Folk Arts and Crafts Museum and Goaldi Mosque.