Chittagong, described by Huen Tsang as ’’a sleeping beauty emerging from mists and water’’ is a place worth visiting. It is the second largest city in Bangladesh and a busy sea port. Chittagong is Bangladesh’s industrial capital but the charming city offers some fantastic day trips. The city is well connected with other parts of the country via road, rail and air. Airlink is available with Kolkata (Bangladesh Biman) and it takes barely 45-50 minutes to reach this sleeping beauty of the Indian subcontinent.
I had a chance to visit almost all the fascinating places around the city during my stay.
The places to visit are:
Foy’s Lake(Pahartali Lake): Close to the city center this picturesque lake along with greenery all around the surrounding hilltops is a treat to the eye. There is a point which offers a panoramic view of the city.
Patenga and Fouzdarhat Sea Beaches: The Patenga beach is 22 kms from the city center and is accessible by a motorable road. The beach is quite close to the Airport. Fouzdarhat Sea beach on the other hand is 16 kms from the city and a good picnic spot. Please note that if you are looking for a beach that is not thronged by tourists these beaches are not for you. Both the beaches are rather crowded specially during the weekend.
Rangamati: This was the place I visited as often as possible. The road to Rangamati is through green fields and winding hills. Spectacular flora and fauna awaits you. Rangamati is located on the western bank of the Kaptai lake.It is a holiday resort offering you beautiful landscape, a scenic lake, colourful tribes (Chakma, Marma etc)., tribal museum, hanging bridge, homespun textile products etc. You can indulge in fishing, speed boat cruising, water skiing, hiking, bathing or enjoying nature in its pristine best. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation offers accommodation, catering and water sports activities at shoe string prices.
Cox’s bazar: This is the most visited place in the country by tourists. Miles of golden sands, huge waves, rare conch shells, colorful pagodas, delightful sea-food makes Cox’s bazar the tourist capital of Bangladesh. A whopping 120 kms beach offers you all kind of activities. However, I prefer walking aimlessly as the waves come crashing to your feet. There are deluxe buses from Chittagong to Cox’’s Bazar. Close to Cox’s bazar, lies Teknaf situated on the Naaf river and just at the end of the hilly regions of the district. Myanmar is on the opposite bank of Naaf river. Take a ride on the launch on the river. Wide sandy beach in the backdrop of high hills with green forests is an enchanting scene which will remain close to your heart for many a years to come. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation runs a holiday resort at Cox’s Bazar and it is without doubt the best place to stay.
The tropical lush green: This isn’t the name of a place. But it is something that you would find everywhere when you take a bus and go to the outskirts of the city. My favourite pastime included - take a bus, get on top of it (it is common here, you would find people and not luggage) watch the spectacular scenery, get down say about half an hour, hire a rickshaw and tell him that you would like to go to the interiors, he would probably charge you around 100 taka for the round trip, but the scenes that you get to see is breathtaking, the interiors in the outskirts at the city are still largely dominated by lakes, green paddy fields with little or no human settlements, watch the sunrise and sunset and you will be transported to an imaginary world of fantasies (memorise Keats’ Ode to the Nightingale and recite it loudly, believe me folks!!!! I tried it myself).
Accommodation:
Hotel Agrabad, Hotel Shaikat and Hotel Sayeman are good bets.
Food:
Some cool places are:
Bonanza, Chung King, Meridian, Sangrila, Sarina Indonesian Restaurant etc. If street foods do not upset your stomach try out the Parathas and Halim from the small food stalls which you will encounter every second step.
People:
The people are very friendly out here. Knowledge in Bengali definitely helps but English is understood and spoken. Whenever you are lost and feel that you need help ask the person walking next to you and he will be more than happy to help you out.
So next time you have a week to spare do visit Chittagong. It will make you feel better with its natural beauties but also with its prices.