Chittagong is the main seaport of Bangladesh and the financial core of southern Bangladesh. A natural harbor, Chittagong is a melting pot of culture and the third most visited place in Bangladesh after Dhaka and Sundarbans. Aside from connecting the world through waterways, Chittagong is also an important city from the Mughal and different colonial eras. Nature and modernization go along side by side in Chittagong with so many things to try on your visit here. The delights spread from the coast to the inner cities of Chittagong and either cruising or with a rickshaw ride will showcase the best bits here.
Here are some of the amazing places you can be in and around the Chittagong city in Bangladesh.
Patenga Beach and Kattali Beach:
There is no lack of pristine sandy beaches in Chittagong and a couple of them standing atop many are the Patenga and Kattali Beaches. Patenga Beach here oversees the estuary of river Karnaphuli and the sea. The beach is lively with local food stalls to try some fresh seafood here as well. Beside the Shah Amanat International Airport and Naval Academy Road, Patenga Beach is the best place to enjoy a beach near Chittagong. Similarly, the Kattali beach here gives us an extensive view of the mangrove forest which looks even better during sunset.
Foy’s Lake:
Foy’s Lake is a manmade lake originally to provide drinking water to the railway colonies. The surroundings and the overall lake make it a perfect destination near the urban areas as a picnic or hiking getaway. In its periphery, there is also a small park and zoo for visitors to explore. A brief boat ride on the lake will give you a grand view of nature and the ecosystem around here too. Dedicated to the head engineer Mr. Foy who materialized this project, this lake has been an exemplary sightseeing place in Chittagong.
Shrine of Baizid Bostami:
The shrine of Baizid Bostami is one of the most significant shrines in Bangladesh in Chittagong. The complex consists of a tomb, an old mosque, and a very large pond. Soft-shell turtles (also called Bostami Turtle) inhabit this pond and there are legends surrounding these of being the evil spirits trapped by Baizid Bostami himself into turtles during his visit. One can visit here to take a peek into the culture and history of Bangladesh.
Apart from these sites, other major places to see in Chittagong are several mosques and monuments in the region. The Chandrapura and Baitul Falah mosques are two primary must-visit mosques of Chittagong. These beautiful mosques showcase centuries-old art and architecture like few others in Bangladesh. Baitul Falah Mosque is also the most extensive mosque in the whole Chittagong region.
Alongside these amazing monuments, we can also visit the World War II Cemetery, the Ethnological Museum, and the Court Building here on the tour. Adding to it there are numerous other local attractions for you to explore and relish each holding mesmerizing delights here in Chittagong.
Chittagong is an ideal place for short individual and family vacations in Asia. The main port and the surrounding areas hold some of the most diverse cultures and historical places. Unique places where you can beach walk, then hill-hike – a rare combo on Earth. Chittagong is a gem of Bangladesh.
