Chinese Delegation Visits Panam City to Strengthen Cultural Ties

A six-member Chinese delegation, led by Li Qun, Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, recently visited Panam City in Sonargaon to foster cultural exchange and strengthen cooperation between China and Bangladesh.

The delegation, which arrived on Saturday, was joined by several key local officials, including Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah, Afroza Khan Mita, Regional Director of the Department of Archaeology for Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions, Farzana Rahman, Sonargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Manjurul Morshed, and other law enforcement and administrative personnel.

The primary aim of the visit was to explore new opportunities for collaboration in heritage conservation and cultural preservation. Panam Nagar Sonargaon shared the details of the visit in a Facebook post, which caught the attention of Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, who expressed optimism about the future of the heritage site, stating, “Something great must happen soon! Panam Nagar is at the centre of our vision.”

Panam City, a historical gem in Sonargaon, once thrived as a major trading center during the Bengal Sultanate and later under the Mughal Empire. Its distinctive blend of Mughal and colonial-era architecture makes it a key cultural and heritage site in Bangladesh. However, the city has faced growing threats from urban encroachment and environmental damage, making conservation efforts more urgent than ever.

China and Bangladesh have a history of collaboration in the field of cultural preservation, and experts believe that this visit could pave the way for deeper partnerships, helping restore and protect the historical significance of Panam City.

In a related update, during the holy month of Ramadan, Panam City will be open to visitors Monday through Saturday, from 10 am to 4:30 pm, with a short break between 1:15 pm and 1:30 pm. On Fridays, visiting hours will be from 2 pm to 4:30 pm, with the site closed on Sundays for the weekly holiday.