Chittagong

5.2 Gateway To The Bay Of Bengal:

With a picturesque hinterland of large hill forests and lakes. Chittagong is a good vacation spot. It is the second largest city of Bangladesh and a busy of Bangladesh and a busy international sea port. Its green hills and forests, broad sandy beaches and fine cool climate always attract holiday makers. It combines the hump of a restless seaport with the pleasure of a charming hill town with its undulating topography. Chittagong is the country's chief port and is the main site for the establishment of heavy, medium and light industries. Bangladesh's only steel mill and oil refinery are also located here. Chittagong is connected with Dhaka by rail, road, air and water. It is also connected with Cox's Bazar and Calcutta by Air.

Places of Interest:

5.2.1. Sharine of Byazid Bostami:

This holy shrine attracts a large number of visitors and pilgrims. At its base there is a large tank with several hundred tortoises floating in the water.

5.2.2. World War II Cemetery
In this well preserved cemetery at a quiet and picturesque place lie buried over 700 soldiers from Commonwealth countries and Japan.

5.2.3. Foy's Lake

Set amidst panoramic surroundings, this ideal sport for outings and picnics is thronged by thousands of visitors.

5.2.4. Ethnological Museum
A unique treasure house of variety of tribal culture and heritage of Bangladesh.

5.2.5. Court Building

Situated on the Fairy Hill, this building commands a magnificent bird's eye view of Chittagong city particularly at night. Day long attractive sightseeing is organized in Chittagong by TRAVEL BANGLADESH (TRAVELBD) during tourist season.

5.2.6. Patenga Beach

Patenga is the sandy beach at the meeting place of the roaring sea and the river Karnaphuli.

5.2.7. Sitakund

About 40 km from Chittagong. This is famous for the Chandranath Hinduy Temple and the Buddist Temple. There is a hot water spring 5 km to the north of Sitakund. Other important places of interest include Shrine of Shah Amanat, Shahi Jame Mosque, Chandanpura Mosque, Portuguese Arsenal Port Area, Marine Academy, Biponi Bitan (New Market) and Government Circuit House built during British days.

5.2.8. Cox’s Bazar

The tourist capital Miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing waves, rare conch shells, colourful pagodas, Buddhist temples and tribes, delightful sea food this is Cox's Bazar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh. Having the world's longest unbroken (120 km) beach sloping gently down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal against the picturesque background of a chain of hills covered with deep green forests, Cox's Bazar is one of the most attractive tourist spots in the world. The beach is good for bathing, sun bathing and swimming. The breath taking beauty of the sun setting behind the waves of the sea is captivating. Attractive local variety of cigars and handloom products of the Rakhyne tribal families are good buys. Their unique customs and costumes attract visitors. Located at a distance of 152 km. south of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar is connected both by air and road from Dhaka and Chittagong. Visits to the fascinating picnic spot at Himchair, Teknaf, southern most tip of Bangladesh, Buddist temple at Ramu and nearby islands of Sonadia, St. Martin and Moheskhali are memorable experience of a life time. Government has taken initiatives to develop Sonadia as an exclusive beach resort.

5.2.9. Hill Tracts Districts

Hill Tracts Districts - world of panoramic beauty The hill Tracts Districts with its perenial forest, thrilling drives through hills and dales, emerald blue water of Kaptai lake, colourful tribal life and culture, attractive handicrafts and artisans beackons you to a world of panoramic beauty mother nature has so lavishly unfolded. Greater Hill Tracts is dividend into three districts, namely Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban each one equally unique in its attractions.