Exploring Gulshan Before 7 AM: A 5K Early-Morning Run in Dhaka 
On 25 September 2026, I participated in a 5K running event organized by Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan. The run was scheduled to start at 5:30 AM from the Gulshan 2 area.
About Gulshan
For those who are not familiar with Dhaka, Gulshan is one of the city’s prominent commercial and residential areas. It is home to many hotels, restaurants, corporate offices, banks, shopping areas and residential neighborhoods.
Around Gulshan 1 and Gulshan 2, you can find international hotels such as The Westin Dhaka and Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel, numerous restaurants, corporate offices, banks and shopping markets. Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan, the organizer of this 5K event, is located near Gulshan 2 Circle.
If you don’t live in Gulshan or the surrounding areas and want to come here very early in the morning, it is better to plan your transportation in advance. A car, motorcycle or bicycle can be convenient at this hour, when regular transportation options may be more limited.
The 5K Route
Our route was approximately:
Gulshan 2 Circle → Gulshan 1 Circle → Police Plaza → return to Gulshan 2 Circle
Both Gulshan 1 and Gulshan 2 are important commercial areas with shopping markets, restaurants, banks and corporate offices.
Police Plaza is located toward the edge of the Gulshan 1 area, close to Niketon Housing Society and Hatirjheel. This makes the route interesting because you move from the commercial surroundings of Gulshan 2 and Gulshan 1 toward the Hatirjheel side before returning.
Why Experience Gulshan Before 7 AM?
One of the most enjoyable parts of an early-morning running event is getting the opportunity to experience a different side of Dhaka.
Running through this part of Dhaka around 5:30–6:30 AM gives you a completely different feeling and experience—something that is difficult to find after 7:00 AM.
The roads are quieter, there is much less traffic and noise, and the surroundings feel very different from the busy Gulshan we experience during normal working hours.
Even familiar roads and places can look surprisingly different in the early morning. You can observe the surroundings more closely and enjoy the city before the usual rush begins.
A Place for Walking and Exercise Near Gulshan 2
If you prefer walking or exercising in a park rather than along the road, another place worth visiting in this area is Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park, located near Gulshan 2.
It is a very pleasant place for morning activities and provides facilities for walking, exercise and volleyball. There are also places to sit and relax, along with a restaurant and bookshop.
So, someone visiting Gulshan for an early-morning walk or exercise has different options. You can explore the Gulshan 1–Gulshan 2 area on foot, continue toward Police Plaza and Hatirjheel, or spend your morning walking and exercising inside Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park.
Exploring Your Own City Differently
Events like this are not only about running or exercise. They can also be an interesting way to explore the city, meet people, observe local places and experience familiar surroundings from a different perspective.
As a Local Guide, I particularly enjoyed seeing this part of Dhaka in the quiet early-morning atmosphere.
Sometimes, you don’t need to travel far to discover something different. Simply exploring your own city at a different time can give you a completely new experience.
Location: Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Date: 25 September 2026
Distance: 5K
Start time: 5:30 AM
Route: Gulshan 2 → Gulshan 1 → Police Plaza/Hatirjheel → Gulshan 2
Organizer: Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan
.
, accessibility 
on the running path 
or breakfast spots 
you visited afterward, along with their Google Maps links. That way, other Local Guides visiting Dhaka know exactly where to go for an early morning walk or run.