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Chittagong is the main port and second-largest city of Bangladesh with a population of about 7 millions. The city is surrounded by a wonderful geographical combination of Sea shore, river, hill and green plain, which makes it the most natuarally beautiful city of Bangladesh. As a natural port, it has long been a meeting place of world's many major trading nations like Arabs from 9th centuries, portugese in the 16th centuries. Before Mughals captured it in 1666, it was ruled by different Burmese and Arakanese monarchies, and for few times under the portugese control. Many old portugese structures are seen in different parts of the city which reminds it's multi-cultural and multi-ethnic heritage. Under British rule,
The eastern railway Headquarters was set up in Chittagong. Many Victorian style structures in the city still reminds of the British presence in this city. It is becoming as the nations second mega city with all sorts of international standard eminitiess. The city is located on Karnaphuli River on the Bay of Bengal.
Among the city’s sights are several tombs and religious shrines including the Tomb of Sultan Bayazid Bostami (note the hundreds of tortoises in the tank representing evil souls). The Shah Jame Mosque built on a hillside offers excellent views. The 14th-century Qadam (Kadam) Mubarak Mosque contains what’s said to be a footprint of the Prophet.
Other attractions include the ethnological museum in Agrabad the World War II Military Cemetery (graves of British Australian and other soldiers) the 300-year-old Portuguese Arsenal (interesting architecture) and the harbor area (called the “Sadarghat ” it’s the city’s oldest area).
It has several eye catching sea beaches as well as Worlds longest sea beaches to attract tourist. The most beautifull city chittagong is known as the gateway to Asia. Source hittagong is a fairly big, spread out town, and the largest international seaport in the country. Like Dhaka the streets are filled with masses of rickshaws, though the city puts in a little more effort to keep its streets and sidewalks clean. Foreigners will notice a distinct increase in nuisance from beggars and the people are slightly less friendly than in other parts of the country.
The busiest part of town is the area around the train station and Station Road, while things get a little more bearable as you move further north. GEC Circle is the intersection of Zakir Hossain Rd, O. R. Nizam Rd and CDA Avenue, about 3 km north of the train station, and is the center of middle to upper class life with a variety of good restaurants and shopping.
Chittagong is a conservative place. Local women tend to dress in modest clothing and don't like to shake hands with men. This does not apply to the upper class who are very westernised. Local people aren't offended when foreigners don't comply with the expectations of local people. Foreigners drinking alcohol or foreign women wearing skirts which show their bare legs aren't going to upset people. This is true in other parts of Bangladesh and reflects the tolerant and gentle nature of the Bangladeshi people.
In the more affluent neighborhoods like Khulshi and Nasirabad local women are more westernised. The parties that let women have fun are mostly indoors, and Chittagong Club or Hotel Agrabad are fairly happening places at that.
The Chittagonian enthusiasm for inviting people to massive feasts is a bit of legend both locally and elsewhere in Bangladesh. Known as mezbani these feasts feature a tremendously hot curry, usually of beef. If you're not used to it, approach with caution.
By air
Shah Amanat International Airport (ICAO: CGP) is modern and clean and serves as Chittagong's international airport besides domestic services to and from Dhaka and Sylhet. It is the 2nd busiest in Bangladesh. Situated in Patenga, it has international services to destinations such as Dubai, Kolkata, Yangon, Muscat and Bangkok. Formerly known as MA Hannan International Airport, but was renamed on April 2, 2005 by the Government of Bangladesh. Major airlines that serve the airport include Biman Bangladesh Airlines, GMG Airlines, Thai Airways International, Oman Air, United Airways, Best Air and Royal Bengal Airlines.
By train
Trains run to Dhaka, Sylhet and other cities. The main route out of Chittagong runs north to Comilla and Akhaura, from where the routes to Dhaka and Sylhet diverge. The train station is on Station Road just west of Jubilee Rd. Chittagong is a terminal station on the metre gauge eastern section of the Bangladesh Railway. The headquarters of this railway are located here. Train journeys are, in general, cheaper than bus journeys.
By bus
There are 2 spots in the city where the major private companies operate from and have offices - just to the south of GEC Circle on CDA Ave, and on Station Rd near Hotel Golden Inn. Greenline, Silkline and Shohag are the nicest and have frequent services to Dhaka (6 hours) and Cox's Bazar (3 hours). Greenline also offers the only direct bus to Sylhet (Tk 550, 6 hours).
Local buses to Cox's Bazar (Tk 140, 3 hours) run frequently throughout the day from Cinema Palace Bus Station, about 1km north of the Station Rd area |