Why Bashundhara City Still Rules Dhaka’s Shopping Scene? Since its opening in 2004, Bashundhara City has remained Dhaka’s premier shopping destination, attracting over 50,000 visitors daily. But beyond the glossy storefronts lies a world most shoppers never discover – secret food spots, underground bargains, and unwritten mall rules only regulars know.
As someone who’s been navigating its corridors since the soft launch (when half the shops were still empty), I’m revealing everything you won’t find on Google – from which escalators actually work to where Dhaka’s elite secretly shop.
Bashundhara City at a Glance
- Location: Panthapath, Dhaka
- Size: 8 floors + 2 basements (2.1 million sq ft)
- Shops: 2,500+ (from Gucci knockoffs to genuine electronics)
- Unique Features:
- South Asia’s largest book market
- Rooftop amusement park (currently closed)
- Underground “black market” section
Getting There Without Losing Your Mind
Best Transportation Options
- From Gulshan: Uber/Pathao (BDT 200-300) – *Avoid 4-8PM*
- From Mirpur: Bus 27 (BDT 25) – Brings you to east gate
- From Uttara: Metro Rail to Agargaon + Rickshaw (BDT 150 total)
Parking Secrets
- Early Birds (Before 11AM): Basement parking available
- Peak Hours: Use the adjacent City Center parking (BDT 50/hr)
- VIP Tip: Show any shop receipt for 1 hour free parking
Floor-by-Floor Breakdown of Bashundhara City Shopping Mall (What They Don’t Tell You)
Ground Floor: Luxury Illusions
- Brand Alley: Stores like Yellow and Aarong display their best (and most overpriced) items
- Hidden Gem: Bombay Sweets behind main escalator – best samosas in Dhaka
- Avoid: Perfume stalls selling “Chanel No. 5” for BDT 500
First Floor: Teenage Wasteland
- Tech Bazaar: Where “original” iPhone cables last exactly 3 days
- Pro Tip: The actual good phone shops are hidden behind the escalator
Second Floor: Ladies’ Kingdom
- Saree Shops: Nabarupa has the best wedding collections
- Best Deal: Buy fabrics from Alauddin Textiles and get stitched outside
Third Floor: Food Court Real Talk
- Must-Try: Kacchi Bhai biryani (BDT 290 with extra borhani)
- Avoid: The sushi place (just… don’t)
- Secret Spot: Coffee World does buy-one-get-one after 8PM
Fourth Floor: Books & More
- Book Market: Where you can find everything from Harry Potter to medical journals
- Bargaining Tip: Offer 60% of quoted price for academic books
Basement: The Black Market
- “Original Copies”: Everything from AirPods to designer watches
- How to Spot Fakes: Check for misspellings like “Rolex” becoming “Rollex”
Bargaining Like a Pro
- Start at 50% of quoted price
- Walk away slowly – they’ll call you back
- Final Offer: Add 10% to your last bid
Price Cheat Sheet:
| Item | First Quote | Fair Price |
| Jeans | BDT 3,500 | BDT 1,200 |
| Saree | BDT 8,000 | BDT 3,500 |
| iPhone Cable | BDT 800 | BDT 250 |
Hidden Gems Only Regulars Know
- Secret Gaming Lounge: Behind VIP Furniture on 4th floor
- Best Photo Spot: Glass bridge on 5th floor
- Quiet Escape: Prayer room on 3rd floor (best AC in mall)
Questions from Readers and Real Answers
Q: Is everything overpriced?
A: Branded stores – yes. Local shops – bargain hard.
Q: Best time to visit?
A: Weekday mornings (empty) or late nights (cooler)
Q: Are the gadgets real?
A: Big stores = yes. Small stalls = “original copies”
Q: Where do rich people shop?
A: 5th floor boutiques with no price tags
Tips
Bashundhara City remains the best for one-stop shopping in Dhaka. Come for the AC, stay for the people-watching, leave before the evening rush.
Find me at Coffee World most weekends – I’m the one charging 3 phones at once.
Bashundhara City Shopping Mall: Uncensored FAQs (From a 20-Year Shopkeeper)
1. “Is this really the biggest mall in Bangladesh?”
- Officially Bashundhara City Shopping Mall: Yes (since 2004)
- Reality: Half the shops are empty/”coming soon”
- Hidden Fact: Basement is bigger than three football fields
2. “Why do security guards follow me in electronics shops?”
- 60% of “customers” just test phones to buy online
- 30% are pickpockets scouting targets
- 10% are actual buyers (they look stressed)
3. “Are the luxury brands real or fake?”
- Ground floor: Authentic but overpriced
- 3rd floor “discount” section: “Inspired by” (wink)
- Basement stalls: Straight-up fakes (“Adibas” anyone?)
4. “Where do the escalators REALLY lead?”
- Up: More overpriced clothing
- Down: Black market perfume trade
- Broken ones: Exist to trap kids
5. “Can I bargain in a mall?”
- Chain stores: No (but staff take tips for “discounts”)
- Local shops: Yes, if you:
- Speak fluent Bangla
- Threaten to go to Jamuna Future Park
- Buy 3+ items
6. “Why does the food court smell weird in Bashundhara City Shopping Mall?”
- Kacchi Bhai’s 10-year-old cooking oil
- Mr. Burger’s “special” chili sauce
- The sushi place (just don’t)
7. “Is there really a secret gaming lounge?”
- Behind VIP Furniture on 4th floor
- Costs ₹500 in tokens from shady “Raju”
- Games include:
- Counter-Strike 1.6 (on Windows XP)
- “Realistic” racing sims with broken wheels
8. “Where do rich kids hang out?”
- Coffee World after 5PM (Instagram central)
- Zara fitting rooms (group selfie spot)
- Underground parking (illegal car meets)
9. “What’s with the rooftop test drives?”
- Officially: Toyota promotions
- Unofficially: Where dealers settle bets
- Pro tip: Film any drifting Corollas fast
10. “Why do prices change weekly?”
- “New Year Sale” = Prices increase
- “Mid-Year Clearance” = Same as January
- “Mega Discount Fest” = Highest prices yet
11. “Can I return defective items in Bashundhara City Shopping Mall?”
- With receipt: Argue for 3 hours
- Without: “Come tomorrow” (they’ll hide)
- Electronics: “That’s normal in Bangladesh”
12. “Where’s the best hiding spot?”
- 4th floor bookstore (ghost town)
- Furniture section (sleep on display beds)
- Prayer room (best AC)
13. “Do VIP lounges exist?”
- Need to spend ₹50,000+ in a day
- Real VIPs use secret 21st floor (elevator code changes)
14. “Why always a crowd at the fountain?”
- 50% TikTok videos
- 30% stood-up dates
- 20% confused why there’s a fountain indoors
15. “What’s the creepiest thing here?”
- Never-opening “Haunted House” (stuck in “coming soon” since 2017)
- Mannequins with missing limbs in basement
- Elevator that stops at non-existent 13th floor
Final Thought
The real experience isn’t shopping—it’s eavesdropping on aunties fighting over discounts while hunting the mall’s last working charging port.
Find me at my fabric shop (#B-214) in Bashundhara City Shopping Mall – I’ll show you the real market behind the market. Thanks for staying with One Light Journal.