Chittagong

Chittagong (officially Chattogram) is the main international seaport and second largest city in Bangladesh, on the Bay of Bengal. The city is the headquarters of many Bangladeshi companies, including the Chittagong Stock Exchange. According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, Chittagong is one of the ten fastest-growing cities in the world.

Understand

Chittagong is one of the great port cities of Asia. It flourished on the Maritime Silk Road and was the eastern terminus of the Grand Trunk Road. It was visited by famous medieval explorers like the Venetians Niccolo de Conti and Caeser Frederick; the Arab traveller Ibn Battuta; and the Chinese admiral Zheng He. The Portuguese, Mughals and British controlled the port in successive periods until the 20th century. It became a major financial centre and the largest port in modern-day Bangladesh after the Partition of British India.

Today, Chittagong is a fairly large metropolitan area with a population of about 6.5 million. As in Dhaka, its streets are filled with masses of rickshaws. Rolling hills and greenery dot the landscape. The Karnaphuli River is a burgeoning hub of shipping. Chittagong puts in a little more effort than other Bangladeshi cities to keep its streets and sidewalks clean. The city's residents are called Chittagonians. Foreigners will notice a distinct increase in nuisance from beggars in certain intersections, like the Central Railway Station. Beggars come from different parts of Bangladesh because Chittagonians are more prone to charity than people in other parts of the country.

The old quarter of the city is home to several historic mosques and Sufi shrines. The Anderkilla Imperial Jame Mosque was built by the Mughals after they conquered Chittagong in 1666. It once formed part of a large hilltop fort. The Sufi Shrine of Bayazid Bostami has a pond full of turtles. The former Portuguese settlement is located in Patherghatta. It is home to the descendants of Portuguese traders, who are known locally as Firingis. The area has several churches, including the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chittagong. Chittagong is also the seat of the Bengali Buddhist priesthood.

The busiest parts of the city are Station Road, Strand Road, GEC Circle and O.R. Nizam Road. The affluent neighborhoods of Khulshi and Nasirabad are home to the city's middle and upper classes. Chittagong has many influential business families.

The city is home to prominent gentlemen's clubs, restaurants and golf courses.

The Chittagonian enthusiasm for inviting people to massive feasts is a bit of legend both locally and elsewhere. Known as mezbani these feasts feature a tremendously hot curry, usually of beef. If you're not used to it, approach with caution. You might also be able to find some of the world's best lobsters here, as Chittagong is the center of the Bangladeshi seafood industry.

Climate
Chittagong
Climate chart (explanation)
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Imperial conversion
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Chittagong has a tropical monsoon climate: hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March). The city is vulnerable to North Indian Ocean tropical cyclones. The deadliest tropical cyclone to strike Chittagong was the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone, which killed 138,000 people and left as many as 10 million homeless.

Economy

The contribution of Chittagong to the national GDP of Bangladesh is about 12 per cent. Chittagong contributes 40% of Bangladesh's industrial output, 80% of international trade and 50% of government revenue. As of June 2015, Chittagong Stock Exchange had a market capitalization of $32 billion with over 700 listed companies. Major Bangladeshi companies such as M. M. Ispahani Limited, BSRM, AK Khan & Company, PHP Group, James Finley, Habib Group, S Alam Group of Industries, CMark Group, KDS Group and TK Group of Industries etc. have offices in Chittagong. State-owned companies include Pragati Industries, Jamuna Oil Company, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation and Padma Oil Company. The Special Economic Zones include the Karnaphuli EPZ and the Korean EPZ. Major industrial sectors include petroleum, steel, shipbuilding, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, jute, leather products, vegetable oil refineries, glass manufacturing, electronics and motor vehicles. In 2011-12, Chittagong exported readymade garments worth about US$ 4.5 billion to the international market. International banks like HSBC, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, National Bank of Pakistan, Standard Chartered, Citibank NA and Habib Bank Limited operate their operations in Chittagong.

Language

Local residents of Chittagong speak the Chittagonian language. However, signboards and bus/train stations have instruction signs both in Bengali and English.

Get in

By plane

For departing flights:

  • Allow plenty of time for security screening, especially on those days when major conventions end. Or if possible schedule your flight at another day/time.

To travel between the airport and your Strip hotel:

  • Taxis cost Tk 200–500 from the airport to a Strip location.
  • Autos cost Tk 100–250 from the airport to a Strip location.
  • Buses cost Tk 5-30 each way and depart every 10–20 minutes, sometimes more than an hour.

By train
  • 🌍 Chittagong Railway Station Trains run to Dhaka, Sylhet, Mymensingh 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 Road. Chittagong is a terminal station on the metre gauge eastern section of the Bangladeshi Railway. The headquarters of this railway are located here. Train journeys are, in general, cheaper than bus journeys. The best bet for a tourist is to make reservations at the station or a travel agency. Trains are popular so book in advance.

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 Road near Hotel Golden Inn. Greenline, Silkline and Shohag are the nicest and have frequent services to Dhaka (Tk 1200, 6-8 hours) and Cox's Bazar (3-4 hours). Greenline also offers the only direct bus to Sylhet (Tk 550, 7-8 hours).

Local buses to Cox's Bazar (৳140, 3-4 hours) run frequently throughout the day from Cinema Palace Bus Station, about 1 km north of the Station Rd area.

Chittagong is the eastern terminus of the Grand Trunk Road, a historic highway that runs through parts of four countries — Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan — all the way to Kabul at the western end.

By car

Chittagong is the focal point of the national highway system in Bangladesh. Cars can be used to travel from the Indian border, but the border with Myanmar remains closed.

By boat
  • BIWTC has an office and launches its ferries from Sadarghat, about 1 km south of the train station down Sadarghat Rd. Barisal is the main destination, from where you can continue to Dhaka.

Get around

Getting around in Chittagong is always an adventure. Traffic is, by and large, horribly congested and many drivers will think nothing of quoting ten times the going price to a tourist. Agree on prices before setting off. Transport in Chittagong is similar to that of the country's capital Dhaka. There are various bus systems with different routes, taxis, and smaller 'CNG' taxis which are basically tricycle-structured motor vehicles. Also, traditional manual rickshaws are very common.

By foot

Walking is also a possibility as the town isn't too confusing, but keep an eye out as the streets can be very busy, especially around Station Rd and Jubilee Rd. If travelling along the Strip, walking is a reasonable option as the hotel-casinos are close to each other. However, what may look to be a short walk of only a couple of hotel casinos away may be farther than you expected as the resorts often look closer than they are due to their large size.

By bicycle

Many locals of lower classes often use bicycles as a primary form of transport. They can be useful in their ability to squeeze through tight situations, where traffic may prevent a large vehicle from moving. Some newer roads in the capital have dual bike/rickshaw lanes. Although, there is little opportunity to buy or rent a bike, plus the roads and traffic are in such bad condition that the chance of an accident is high.

By rickshaws

Rickshaws are a kind of three-wheeled, pedal-powered cycle with seats in the back to seat passengers and a driver in the front. They are good for short distances, or places which are too far to walk but too short for taking a bus/taxi/auto-rickshaw. Rickshaws don't use meters, so establish a price before getting on. Tk 20-100 is reasonable for most journeys of a few kilometres.

By bus

All parts of Chittagong are well connected by buses and with tickets ranging from Tk 5-50 (Tk 1.42/per km), are very cheap; but also quite crowded most of the time. Some buses are provided air-conditioned service. As bus stops do not have bus routes written properly, it can be difficult to find your way. Asking other people at the bus stop is often the best way to find out about bus routes to your destination. However, the buses are pretty frequent, running every 15-20 min or so on most routes. There is one kind of bus in Chittagong:

Route 1: 🌍 New Market Bus Stand to 🌍 Bahaddarhat Bus Terminal

Total distance 10 km; New Market – Laldighi – Anderkilla – Nabab Siraj Ud Dawla Road – Chowk Bazaar – Kapasgola – Badurtola – Bahaddarhat

Route 2: New Market Bus Stand to 🌍 Kaptai Rastar Matha Bus Stop

Total distance 14 km; New Market – Laldighi – Anderkilla – Jamal Khan – Chowk Bazaar – Medical/Probartak – 2 No. Gate – Muradpur – Bahaddarhat – Sharafat Petrol Pump – CMP Rastar Matha – Kaptai Rastar Matha

Route 3: New Market Bus Stand to 🌍 Fatehabad Bus Stand

Total distance 14.5 km; New Market – DC Hill – Kazir Dewri – Almas – Wasa – GEC – 2 No. Gate – Muradpur – Bibir Hat – Oxygen – Fatehabad – University of Chittagong

Route 4: New Market Bus Stand to 🌍 Bhatiari Bus Stop

Total distance 15 km; New Market – Tigerpass – Lalkhan Bazar – Wasa – Garib Ullah Shah Mazar/GEC – Jhautola – AK Khan – Colonel Hat – Bhatiari

Route 6: 🌍 Laldighir Par Bus Stop to 🌍 Patenga Bus Stop

Total distance 16.60 km; Laldighi – New Market – Tigerpass – Dewanhat – Badamtoli (Agrabad) – Barek Building – Saltgola – EPZ – Bandartila – Cement Crossing – Kathgar – Patenga Sea Beach

Route 7: New Market Bus Stand to Bhatiari Bus Stop

Total distance 16.1 km; New Market – Tigerpass – Dewanhat – Badamtoli (Agrabad) – Boropole – Alangkar – Bhatiari

Route 8: New Market Bus Stand to 🌍 Oxygen Bus Stand

Total distance 8 km; New Market – Tigerpass – Lalkhan Bazaar – GEC – 2 No. Gate – Bayazid Bastami – Oxygen

Route 10: 🌍 Kalurghat Bus Station to 🌍 Katgor Bus Stand।

Total distance 25 km; Kalurghat – Kaptai Rastar Matha – Bahaddarhat – Muradpur – 2 No. Gate – GEC – Lalkhan Bazaar – Tigerpass – Dewanhat – Badamtoli (Agrabad) – Barek Building – Saltgola – EPZ – Bandartila – Cement Crossing – Katgor

Route 11: Bhatiari Bus Stop to Patenga Bus Stop

Total distance 23 km; Bhatiari – Colonel Hat – AK Khan – Naya Bazar – Boropole – Saltgola – EPZ – Bandartila – Kathgar – Patenga Sea Beach

Counter-bus

Metro-Prabhati Paribahan's counter-based metropolitan bus service has several stops on the 22 km stretch of the metropolitan area from Patenga to Bahaddarhat bus stop. A minimum of Tk 10 should be paid for a bus ride (4 km). After that, the fare is Tk 1.60 per kilometre. There are 10 counters for buses going from Kaptai to Patenga Beach and 12 counters for buses going from Patenga Beach to Kaptai. There are counters in various stoppages including Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, 2 No. Gate, GEC, Wasa, Dewanhat, Agrabad, EPZ.

By taxi

Taxi (usually with a driver) is required to see many of the far-flung sites within and around Chittagong. Taxis ply the roads, some yellow and some black, all with or without meters. Black taxis start the meter at Tk 15 while yellow taxis have slightly higher standards in terms of comfort, and start at Tk 20. Black taxis are typically in notoriously poor condition and lack air conditioning. Yellow taxis are required to have air conditioning; the fleet consists mostly of Toyota Corollas, with some Mitsubishis and Hondas. The yellow taxis are also considered far safer, in comparison to black taxis and auto-rickshaws. Uber is available.

By auto rickshaws

Auto rickshaws (also called CNG taxi, or simply CNG) are good for shorter trips. Always in a distinctive green livery, auto rickshaws are three-wheeled partially enclosed contraptions that run on CNG and can seat three-four people in the back. In general, they are much cheaper than taxis and can be hailed from the street easily.

By local train

There are limited demo services on Chittagong's railways, but the facilities are a far cry from the user-friendly railway stations. For the most part, train stations are inconveniently located. There is no passenger service at the Chittagong Railway Station outside rush hour.

The Bangladesh Railways website does not accept foreign credit cards.

See

Downtown
  • 🌍 BNS Issa Khan, New Mooring, Chittagong, ☏ +1 880-31-740391, +1 880-31-714971. Largest naval base of the Bangladeshi Navy. Before the Bangladesh Liberation War, as PNS Bakhtiar, the base was awarded the National Standard by the President of Pakistan. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Chittagong Buddhist Monastery, Nandan Kanan. It is considered as one of the holy places of Buddhists in Bangladesh. There are Kesdhatu of Gautama Buddha, Ashtadhatu statue, Bodhimandap, Chintamani Library, Buddhist Hostel, Dhammavansh Institute, Medical Center, etc. There is a library called Echarao Chintamani Library which contains various rare manuscripts. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Chittagong Zoo, Foy's Lake, South Khulshi (at the entrance of Foy's lake, opposite the foothills of the mountains of USTC Medical College). With an area of 6 acres of land, the zoo is about 3 km north-east of the city. Major exhibits are Indian lion, Asian black bear, Indian muntjac, Chital. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 J M Sen Hall (Jatra Mohon Sen Hall), K B Abdus Sattar Road. In 1916 Saratchandra Rai Bahadur laid the foundation stone of the first Town Hall named JM Sen Hall. The auditorium is named in memory of Jatramohan Sen, a Bengali lawyer, politician and social activist. There is a club here. There are also busts of Masterda Surya Sen, one of the revolutionary leaders of the anti-British freedom struggle, Jatindramohan, a famous politician in the subcontinent, Mahimchandra Das, a journalist, lawyer and politician, Nelly Sengupta, one of the pioneers of Chittagong's women's movement. (updated Jul 2017)

Architectures
  • 🌍 Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque, Anderkilla. Andarqilla Shahi Jame Masjid was built after the conquest of Chittagong by the Mughals in 1666, on a small hill about 10 m (33 ft) above the plain. The architecture and structure of the mosque are made according to the Mughal style. According to the design of the original mosque, it is 16 m long, 6.9 m wide, and each wall is about 2.2 m thick. The western wall is made of burnt mud and the remaining three walls are made of stone. The roof is covered by a large dome in the middle and two smaller domes. Of its four octagonal towers, built in 1666, the rear two now exist. As the mosque is almost a reflection of the historical Jama Masjid of Delhi in terms of construction strategy, it gave birth to a new dimension in the development of Muslim architecture in the Chittagong region. This mosque is also called a stone mosque - "Jame Sangin" because it is built using large stones like Delhi's Jama Masjid. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Chandanpura Nachghar, Chandanpura. Abandoned centenary dance hall of Zamindar house in Chandanpura. The 250-year-old, two-storied building is almost dilapidated as of 2023. Decorated with various crafts. There are some remains of images of gods and goddesses and flowers on the walls. The two-storied building has 14 rooms including guest rooms. There are 10 entrance doors around the dance hall. There is only one staircase in one corner of the building to go up. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Cheragi Pahar, Cheragi Pahar Circle, Jamal Khan (at the intersection of three roads adjacent to Jamal Khan and Momin road). A historical structure of Chittagong. Cheragi Pahar is a famous place for art-literature-culture practice. Cheragi Pahar is known as the meeting place of Chittagong's poets, journalists, writers, cultural workers, readers-writers, and organizers. There is no longer a hill called Cheragi Pahar here but there is a Cherag(lamp)-shaped structure at the intersection of three roads. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Chittagong Court Building, Parir Pahar. Chittagong Court Building is a colonial architectural masterpiece built on Parir Pahar. The building is an example of the Indo-British architectural style built in Bengal. From here there is an opportunity to see a sincere view of the city of Chittagong, especially at night. After the British East India Company declared Chittagong as a separate administrative region in 1773, this two-storied building was built for administrative purposes. The area is 1,53,000 square feet and the number of rooms is more than a hundred. The offices of the Divisional Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner are located here. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Chatteshwari Temple, 20 Chatteshwari Road, Mehdi Bagh. One of the famous Hindu temples in Bangladesh. According to legend, around 300-350 years ago, Goddess Chatteswari appeared through Arya Rishi Yogis and Sadhu Sannyasis. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Central Railway Building, CRB Rd (Located in the hilly area adjacent to Tigerpass under Kotwali police station.). Bangladesh Railway (Eastern) General Manager's Control Office. Completed in 1872, the building is the oldest building in the port city. It is one of the buildings that bear the history of two hundred years of British colonial rule in Chittagong. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Iskcon Prabartak Sri Krishna Temple, Prabartak Shangha (in front of Afmi Plaza), ☏ +8801819395948, +8801712164595, . The three-storied Drishtinandan temple, built of Makrana marble from Rajasthan, has wood for its doors and windows sourced from Africa and Myanmar. The length of this temple is 100 feet, its width 50 feet and its height 65 feet. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Jamuna Bhaban, Sheikh Mujib Road, Agrabad, . The building was established in 1964 by the then-first national oil company of East Pakistan, Pakistan National Oil Limited (PNOL), a private limited company. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Kalurghat Bridge (Kalurghat Pole), Kalurghat (about 7 km from Bahaddarhat in the south of the city). The railway bridge was built over the Karnaphuli River in 1930 during British rule. The bridge has 2 abutments, 6 brick pillars, 12 steel pillars and 19 spans. It connects the greater Chittagong district to the north and south. It is also called the gateway of South Chittagong. The bridge was declared endangered in 2001. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Masjid-e-Siraj ud-Daulah (Chandanpura Mosque), Nabab Siraj ud-Daulah Rd, Chandanpura. After Shaista Khar's army liberated Chittagong from the Magharajads of Arakan in 1666, numerous mosques were built here under his orders. Masjid-e-Siraj ud-Daulah is one of them. The mosque has 15 domes. The construction of the largest dome required 15 maunds of silver and brass worth about four lakh rupees at that time. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Shah Amanat Bridge (Second Karnaphuli Bridge), Karnaphuli. 24 Hrs. The main bridge, including four lanes, sidewalks and dividers, is 950 meters (3,117 ft) long and 24.47 meters (80 ft) wide. The number of spans is 3. It connects Patia and Baklia police stations. Free. (updated Jul 2023)

Beaches and river sides
  • 🌍 Anandabazar Sea Beach (Chouchala Sea Beach), Chittagong Coastal Rd, Halishahar. A coastal area near the Bay of Bengal in Halishahar. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Abhay Mitra Ghat, Sadarghat. Large area of open space on the banks of Karnaphuli river. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Karnaphuli River. A transboundary river of Bangladesh-India. The length of the Bangladesh part of the river is 161 km, the average width is 453 m and its nature is spiral. At the mouth of this river, the main seaport of Bangladesh is the Port of Chittagong. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 South Kattali. It is one of the beaches of Bangladesh after Cox's Bazar or Kuakata. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Khejurtala Sea Beach, Muslimabad Road (10 minutes by road along the right side (south-west) road of Steelmill Market of the city.). Khejurtala is one of the most beautiful beaches in the city. The easily accessible Khejurtala beach can be enjoyed simultaneously with the environment of Patenga and Naval. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Foy's Lake, South Khulshi. An artificial lake in the Pahartali area of Chittagong and one of the tourist spots. It was excavated in 1924 under the supervision of the Assam-Bengal Railway Authority and was then known as Pahartali Lake. Foy's Lake was later named after the English railway engineer Foy. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Faujdarhat Beach, Faujdarhat. About 16 km from Chittagong City. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Lal Dighi, Lal Dighi, Kotwali (Its location is at the end of Jail Road in the city). One of the traditional places of the city. Laldighi is spread over an area of 2.70 acres. On one side is the Andarkilla, and on the other side are the Zilla Parishad buildings and local bank branches. Free. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Patenga Sea Beach, Patenga. One of the most popular beaches in Bangladesh. Located at the mouth of the Karnaphuli River, the port city is about 14 km south of Chittagong. Patenga is a popular tourist centre of Chittagong city. Many jetties of Chittagong Port are located near Patenga. From here you can see the movement of ships in the sea or aeroplanes flying overhead. Bangladesh Naval Academy is also located here. One of the popular food stalls here is the spicy fried crab served with a plate of chickpeas garnished with cucumber and onion. There is also a Burmese market on the beach. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Naval Road, Patenga (Next to Shah Amanat International Airport.). The meeting point of Karnaphuli River and the Bay of Bengal. (updated May 2023)

Archives and Libraries
  • 🌍 Chittagong City Corporation Public Library ("Mahbub Ul Alam Choudhury" Chittagong City Corporation Public Library), Laldighi, ☏ +88031638989. It is the first public library of Chittagong. The library is named after the poet Mahbub Ul Alam Choudhury. Chittagong Central Jail and Laldighi Maidan are located next to it. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Chintamani Library (Buddhist Vihara Library), Chittagong Buddhist Monastery, Nandan Kanan. A library with various rare manuscripts. Palm-leaf manuscripts are preserved here. This museum has ancient religious scriptures written in Pali, Burmese, and Sanskrit. Classical literature and works of art written on palm leaves enriched this library. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Zia Memorial Museum Library, Circuit House, Shaheed Saifuddin Khaled Road. It is a museum built to preserve the memory of Ziaur Rahman, the eighth president of Bangladesh and former army chief. Zia's private content is stored here. There is also a library here. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Divisional Govt. Public Library, KC Dey Road, Nandan Kanan, ☏ +88031611578, . Sa-W 9:00-17:00 (closed Thursday, Friday & Govt. holidays). This public library has a collection of 95,244 books. The library is being rebuilt under the Chittagong Muslim Institute Hall and Cultural Complex reconstruction project. Until it is finished, the library of the old building had four reading rooms and its administrative area on the ground floor. (updated Jul 2023)

Cemeteries, memorials and sculptures
  • 🌍 Chattogram Commonwealth War Cemetery (Chittagong War Cemetery), 19 Badshah Mia Chowdhury Road, Mehdibagh. 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00. Built on hilly slopes and plains near Chittagong Medical College, near Fine Arts Institute on Chatteswari Road and Finley Guest House. The mausoleum was established by the British Army after World War II. Initially, there were about 400 tombs, but today there are 731 tombs of which 17 are of unknown persons. There are about 20 (1 Dutch and 19 Japanese) graves of national and foreign soldiers killed in World War II. There is also a Chittagong-Bombay memorial of World War II (1939-1945) here. Free. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Central Shaheed Minar, KC Dey Road. Divisional Martyrs Monument. Shaheed Minar was built on 20 February 1962. It is under reconstruction under the Chittagong Cultural Complex project. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 City Gate, Dhaka-Chittagong highway. Known as City Gate. Sometimes it is illuminated at night. Sitakunda upazila is on the north side of this gate and Karnelhat area is on the south side. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Tigerpass Royal Bengal Tiger Statue, Tigerpass More. Sculpture of Bengal Tiger. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Rupali Guitar, Ayub Bachchu Square, Prabartak More (The facade of this sculpture is visible while driving from Golpahar More towards Prabartak More.). The sculpture was built in memory of Ayub Bachchu, the founder of the band Love Runs Blind (LRB), a famous music artist of Bangladesh. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Shrine of Bayazid Bostami, Nasirabad. It was discovered in 1831 in a walled courtyard on the top of a hill in Nasirabad. At the foot of Shrine Hill is a three-domed Mughal-style rectangular mosque and a huge Dighi. Many believe that the tomb of Bayezid Bostami is located here. At the foot of the shrine is a vast lake with Bostami's turtles and Gojar fish as its well-known inhabitants. Locally they are called Mazari and Ghazari. Bostami's tortoise is an internationally recognized extremely rare and critically endangered species. They are not seen anywhere else in the world except in the Shrine of Bayazid Bostami. (updated Jul 2023)

Museums
  • 🌍 Bangladesh Maritime Museum, Bangladesh Marine Academy. A museum in a small room at the old seamanship class building in Bangladesh Marine Academy. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Bangladesh Railway Museum, Ambagan road, Pahartali. Bangladesh Railway Museum is the sole railway museum of Bangladesh Railway. It was a bungalow before turning to a museum on November 15, 2003, which showcases some of the rich collection of relics, and objects used in Assam Bengal Railway (1942), Eastern Bengal Railway (1947) and Pakistan Railway (1961). The preserved artefacts mainly belong to the mechanical, electrical, telecommunication, signal, traffic and engineering departments of the Bangladesh Railway. It also includes different kinds of lamps and lights, fans and bells, uniforms and accessories of station masters, signalling equipment, transmitters, analogue telephones, monograms, track switches and railway sleepers. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Court Building Museum, Chittagong Court Building (on Fairy Hill). This building commands a panoramic bird’s eye view of Chittagong. It was the site of passionate activity during the independence War in 1971. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Ethnological Museum, Sabdar Ali Road, Agrabad. Shows a mix of tribal artefacts. The Ethnological Museum of Chittagong was established in the first half of the 1960s. The museum contains four galleries and a small hall. It is a little dark. Some sections contain mock-ups of 'village life' for the different tribal areas with life-size dolls. These are reminiscent of the museum in the film Planet of the Apes. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Zia Memorial Museum, Circuit house, Shahid Saifuddin Khaled Road. (updated Jul 2017)

Parks
  • 🌍 Biplob Udyan, 2 No. Gate (Beside Masjid Gali). ১৬:০০ থেকে ২১:০০. The park is named after Pritilata Waddedar, a revolutionary woman of Chittagong. There are wooden arches and concrete umbrellas. The gate of the park is beautifully marked with trees, Biplob Udyan. The most interesting thing is the Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Pillar). Sheikh Farid Chasma is nearby. Free. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Butterfly Park Bangladesh, 15 Naval Academy Road (next to the airport), ☏ +8801811444270, . 09:30 to sunset. Spread over 6 acres (2.4 ha) of land, the park is home to approximately 600 species of butterflies. The park is believed to be the first butterfly park in the Indian subcontinent. There are tropical gardens, a butterfly zone, a butterfly museum, a butterfly-rearing room, an artificial lake-fountain, a fish feeding zone and a butterfly feeding zone. Bangladeshi minor 50 Tk, adult 100 Tk; citizens of SAARC countries 150 Tk; foreigner 200 Tk. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 CRB (Central Railway Building), CRB Rd (in the hilly area adjacent to Tigerpass). There is an elephant bungalow on the CRB hills. Also towards the centre is a spacious ground called Sirishtala, where traditional festivals like Pahela Boishakh, Pahela Phalgun etc. are organized annually. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 DC Hill Park (Nazrul Square), Buddhist Temple Road (next to Nandankanan Buddhist Temple). DC Hill is one of the scenic spots now officially named "Nazrul Square". It is 1 km away from Zero Point, the centre of the city. There are many tall trees around. DC Hill holds historical significance by celebrating Bengali New Year every year. Also, various cultural programs including national and cultural days, stage plays, and open film screenings are organized here. Free. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Jamboree Park, SM Morshed Road, Agrabad (opposite Agrabad Karnaphuli Shishu Park). 17:00 to 21:00. Spread over 8.55 acres of land, the park has long circular walkways, a reservoir of about 50,000 square feet, with three large galleries for seating on its banks. There are also 550 lamps along with colourful fountains. Four structures around the park include two toilet blocks, a public works maintenance office and an electrical substation. Free. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Laldighi Park, Laldighi, Kotayali (at the end of Jail Road in the city). 6:00 to 8:00, 15:00 to 19:00. One of the traditional places of the city. Laldighi is spread over an area of 2.70 acres. On one side is the Andarkilla, and on the other side are the Zilla Parishad buildings and local bank branches. Free. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 Shadhinata Complex (Mini Bangladesh), Bahaddarhat (beside Bahaddarhat Bus Terminal), ☏ +8801711379293. Basically a theme park where the various sights and historical buildings of Bangladesh are exactly replicated. The complex includes Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Ahsan Manzil, Supreme Court, Curzon Hall, Kantajew Temple, Darbar Hall, Barakuthi, Chhotakuthi, Choto Sona Mosque, Lalbagh Fort, Somapura Mahavihara, National Martyrs' Memorial, Shaheed Minar, St. Nicholas Church, Chirantan Palli, Bridge under the train, artificial water bodies, six Keuch (seating stalls), five water fountains and three Kids Zone. There is also a 71 meter or 230 feet tall Independence Tower commemorating the 1971 Liberation War. (updated May 2023)
  • 🌍 United Nations Park (United Nations Shobuj Udyan), Panchlaish Residential Area. A total of 69.357 acres of land was acquired and 136 residential plots of one bigha size were allotted in the Panchlaish Residential Area of the city. Of this, 2.30 acres of land were reserved for Shobuj Uddan (Green Field)—which later became known as the United Nations Park. Free. (updated May 2023)

Do

There are a few amusement parks and public parks in Chittagong:

  • 🌍 Batali Hill (Zilapi Hill), Tigerpass (about 1 km from the center of the city). The tallest hill in the city of Chittagong is about 280 feet high. From its summit, the Bay of Bengal and large parts of Chittagong city can be clearly seen. During World War II, anti-aircraft guns were placed on top of the hill. Many years ago there was a lighthouse on the hill to guide ships sailing on distant seas. It is a good place to see the city from above. (updated May 2023)

Fishing

Go fishing for Anabas, Cat fish, Ruhi, Tilapia etc.

  • 🌍 Agrabad Deba, Agrabad. Artificial lake in Agrabad, Chittagong. The total area of the reservoir including banks is 27.4 acres. Deba is mainly owned by Bangladesh Railways. (updated Jul 2017)

Rides
  • 🌍 Foy's Lake Concord (Foy's Lake Amusement World), Foy's Lake, Zakir Hossain Rd (in the Pahartali neighborhood), ☏ +880 1969-953551, . 10:00am - 07:30pm. A theme park complex covering nearly 320 acres at Foy's Lake. The complex consists of a dry theme park, a water park, and Foy's Lake Resort. It was established in 2004. Tk 480. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Karnaphuli Shishu Park, Jamboree Field Road, Agrabad. 03:00-20:00. Entertainment place located in the heart of the city. The earlier name of this garden was Jamburi Field. Chukchuk Car, Voyager Boat, Medi Godown, Race Godown, Racing Car, Swing and other entertainment facilities are available here. In addition, there are mini Chinese hotels, cooling corners, and various souvenir shops. The main gate of the park, modelled after Disney Land, attracts everyone. Tk 40/pp entry. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Chittagong Shishu Park, Circuit House. 03:00-20:00. Tk 40/pp entry. (updated Jul 2017)

Shows

There are places where you can buy show tickets, but generally not for the really popular shows on the same day of the performance. Most were only cash accepted.

Performing arts
  • 🌍 Bistaar: Chittagong Arts Complex (Bistaar), 688/C, Mehdibag Road, ☏ +8801713109940, . Multidisciplinary and multipurpose industrial facility centre. A contemporary space to showcase the art and culture of the city. There are galleries and event spaces, music and film archives, souvenir shops and food and beverage cafes. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Theatre Institute Chattagram, K.C. Dey Road. TIC is a cultural performing art centre in Chittagong. It is the theatre hall of fine and performing arts. The institute is organized and controlled by the City Corporation of the district. Tk 50-200. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Zilla Shilpakala Academy, MM Ali Road, Dampara. Zilla Shilpakala Academy is the principal state-sponsored Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy affiliated and controlled district cultural centre. It is the district Academy of Fine and performing arts. ৳50-200. (updated Jul 2017)

Theaters
  • Star Cineplex (Star Cineplex - Bali Arcade), Bali Arcade, নবাব সিরাজউদ্দৌলা সড়ক, চকবাজার, ☏ +8809617660660, +8801755665544, . (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Silver Screen, Finlay Square, 6th Floor, East Nasirabad, ☏ +8801701449955, . There are 72-seat platinum and 18-seat titanium halls in this cineplex. 400-1500. (updated Jul 2023)
  • 🌍 Sugandha Cinema Hall (Jhumur Cinema Hall), Kazir Dewri, ☏ +01681008552. Earlier name was Jhumur Cinema Hall. Sugandha Cinema Hall was reopened in 2020 after being closed for five years. There are 200 general seats and 16 VIP seats. 150-200. (updated Jul 2023)

Events

Chittagong continues to grow with annual events and festivals held throughout the city.

Buy

Sales tax

The local sales tax is 15%. Only groceries and prescription drugs are exempt.

Like most of the city, Chittagong has not implemented a tax refund mechanism for international travelers. The only retailers that can sell tax-free items to international travelers are the duty-free shops at Shah Amanat International Airport.

Basics

Most hotel/casino resort complexes in Chittagong have a gift shop open 24/7 that offers basic traveler supplies and sundries. Hotel gift shops are outrageously expensive and should be avoided except for emergencies.

Shopping malls

There are a handful of shopping malls:

  • 🌍 Afmi Plaza, Baizid Bostami Road, Panchlaish, East Nasirabad. Tu-Sa 10AM-9PM, M 2-9PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Akhtaruzzaman Centre, Sheikh Mujib Road. M-Sa 10AM-10PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Ameen Center, 320 CDA Avenue, Lalkhan Bazar. M-Sa 10AM-9PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Banani Complex Shopping Centre, 942/A, Sheikh Mujib Road, ☏ +880 31 711435. 24 hours. 
  • 🌍 Central Shopping Complex, 561 OR Nizam Road. Sa-Tu 10AM-10PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Finlay Square, 2 CDA Avenue, East Nasirabad. 10AM-9PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Keari Elysium Shopping Complex, Rashik Hajari Lane, ☏ +880 1820 058320. Sa-Th 10AM-10PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Lucky Plaza, Agrabad Access Road, Agrabad. Su-Th 9AM-9PM, Sa 2-9PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Mimi Super Market, O R Nizam Road. Tu-Sa 10AM-9PM, M 2-9PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Sanmar Ocean City, CDA Avenue, Nasirabad. W-M 10AM-10PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Singapore Bangkok Market, Agrabad Access Road, Agrabad, ☏ +880 1818 269935. M-F 10AM-9PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 South Land Center, Agrabad Access Road, Agrabad. M-Sa 9AM-9PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 VIP Tower, Chatteswari Road. M-F 10AM-9PM. (updated Jul 2017)

Outlet malls

Individual stores

The Bangladeshi book industry is huge, producing annually about thousand of books in English, and obviously far more in Bengali and other native languages. Chittagong is the hub of this industry, so small, specialist bookstores abound. Locally produced books can be very inexpensive and many popular Western titles are published and available here for a fraction of their original cost.

In general, good places to buy books are in Cheragi Pahar, Andarkilla, Station Road, GEC circle, plus shopping malls in the city.

  • 🌍 Current Book Center, Jalsha Market, Jubilee Road, ☏ +880 31-614473. 10AM-11PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Baatighar, Press Club Bhaban, Ground Floor, 146/151 Jamal Khan Rd, ☏ +880 1733 067005. 10AM-10PM. Largest books shop in the city. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Nandan Book Library, 5 Lusai Bhaban, Cheragi Pahar. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Prothoma, Sanmar Spring Garden, 64 Jamal Khan Road. 10AM-10PM. (updated Jul 2017)

Eat

The people of Chittagong love oily and spicy food. This can be a problem for foreigners and lead to upset stomachs. If you are a foreigner you should consider sticking with better restaurants and eating in large hotels. Never eat green salad which comes with your meal as you will not know if it has been washed in sanitized water. Just a handful of restaurants in town use sanitized water to wash salad and this is a recipe for explosive diarrhea.

One oddity in Bangladesh is that restaurants advertise themselves as, for example, "Zaman Hotel and Restaurant" but do not operate a hotel. Where you eat at one of these establishments you can tease them by demanding a room. One-room stores also have signboards advertising themselves as 'department stores'.

  • 🌍 Ambrosia Restaurant Ltd, Jiban Bima Bhaban (Ground Floor), 1053, Sk. Mujib Road (Next to Radio Station and Opposite to Standard Chartered Bank Branch), ☏ +880 31 2513576, fax: +880 31 2513460. Buffet lunch noon-4PM; dinner 6-11PM. The largest and the latest international standard restaurant in town with a Karaoke corner, seats up to 500 people across 2 floors. Has a huge menu of Continental, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Indonesian and Bangladeshi dishes. Fully air conditioned and tiptop. 
  • 🌍 Barcode Cafe, 62-East Nasirabad, Bayazid Bostami Road, ☏ +88 031-2558551, +88 031-653558, . Tu-Sa 9AM-11:30PM. (updated May 2019)
  • 🌍 Barcode Cafe (GEC), GEC, Sekender Plaza, 815, CDA Avenue, Dampara, ☏ +88031653558, +8801713121212, fax: +8801919444444, . (updated May 2019)
  • 🌍 Barcode On Fire, Ramna Trade Center, CDA Ave, ☏ +88031653558, +8801713121212, fax: +88031650153, . (updated May 2019)
  • 🌍 Baskin Robbins (Agrabad), Agrabad. 8AM-11PM. Ice cream parlor (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Baskin Robbins (CDA Aveneu), CDA Aveneu. 8AM-11PM. Ice cream parlor (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Basmati Restaurant, CDA Ave, GEC Circle, ☏ +880 31 651201. 10AM-10PM. It provides Bangladeshi and Indian food with a classy environment. 
  • 🌍 BIR Chattala, Ramna Trade Center, CDA Ave, ☏ +88031-2558551, +88031653558, fax: +88031650153, . (updated May 2019)
  • 🌍 Bonjour, 1692 N1, GEC circle, 2nd & 3rd floor, ☏ +880 1714-041184. Noon-10:30PM. International standard, large menu with buffet, recommended for foreigners who need a break from an upset stomach. Mains Tk 600. 
  • 🌍 Burgwich town, SKS shopping complex, Mehedibagh (Opposite CDA Mosque), ☏ +88031653558, +8801713121212, fax: +88031650153, . (updated May 2019)
  • 🌍 Cafe Milano, c/Alameda de Mazarredo 17, ☏ +880 1912-345721. 11AM-10PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Eden Restaurant, 137/B K.B. Fazlul Kader Road, ☏ +880 1969-554040. Noon-11PM. Mexican cuisine (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Handi Indian Bistro, 2nd Floor D, 805 CDA Avenue, ☏ +880 1730-341181. Noon-11PM. (updated Jul 2017)
  • The Meridian, Opposite to Bonanza (GEC circle). The Meridian has an excellent lunch buffet for around Tk 350. The rest of the menu used to be pretty good but as of late it is better to stick to the buffet. Mains Tk 450. 
  • 🌍 Mezzan Haile Ayun, Chowkbazar, Medical Road, ☏ +88031653558, fax: +88031 650153, . (updated May 2019)
  • 🌍 Pizza Hut, 805/B CDA Avenue, JB Complex, GEC Circle, Dampara, ☏ +880 31-632733, +880 31-614656, +880 31-623516, +880 31-623565. 11AM-11PM. Tk 230-500 per medium pizza. 
  • 🌍 Royal Hut, Shahid Saifuddin Khaled Road, ☏ +880 1817-203257. 3-10PM. Populer for Chicken Tikka and Paratha (updated Jul 2017)
  • 🌍 Shangri-La Chinese Restaurant, 39, Sabdar Ali Road, Agrabad C/A, ☏ +880 31 810210. 11AM-midnight. Smart air-conditioned Chinese restaurant. Tk 300-400 per person. 
  • Sugarbun (Well food), GEC circle. Fast food place from the international chain of the same name. Selling pizza, burgers, fries plus a variety of dishes to Asian tastes in a fast food format. Sugarbun also sells coffee, cakes, bread and other snacks. Tk 175-250 per person. 
  • Zaman Hotel (there are 13 Zaman hotels in Chittagong), just north of GEC Circle, on west side of street, ☏ +880 189 649 138. The menu contains no foreign dishes and this is not a place where foreigners typically eat, though it falls at the top end of middle class Bangladeshi restaurants. The place is clean, the food is OK, the service is good. You can ponder the wisdom in the quote on the menu: "For super disk with quality food to avoid cooking please step with whose family at Zaman Hotel." There are two restaurants of the same name on the same block - this one is the most southerly, with the huge neon sign on the roof. Mains Tk 40-100. 

Drink

Tea and coffee

The teahouses and coffee houses in Chittagong are mostly large, heavily standardized chains. The most common location for various kind of tea is Dalla, besides Agrabad Access Rd. The most common coffee house is Rio Coffee, found in multiple locations across the city, most notably around Naval Avenue Rd.

Hookah/sheesha

Bangladeshi bar food, hookah, and an amazing lounge experience. The crowd that frequents these two places is young, hip and trendy.

Bars and nightclubs

Alcoholic beverages are available at five-star hotels in Chittagong as well as a number of private clubs. Four hotels in Chittagong have bar license; Radisson Blu Chittagong Bay View, Hotel Agrabad, Silmoon Hotel, Saint Martin Hotel Limited and The Peninsula Chittagong. While all the hotels are expensive for drinks. Like the Peninsula is expensive by far (more than Tk 550 for a large can of Heineken).

Here you can buy Bangladeshi local branded (Karrew and Co, Darshona) alcohol (vodka, rum, malted, whiskey, gin) from licensed ware houses situated in Shadar Ghat (Kazi & Co.), BRTC, near the railway station (foreign liqueur) and from Dewan Hat.

If you want to go to a bar, then you can go Hotel Shahjahan at Shadarghat, a well-furnished bar, or there is also a bar at BRTC bus stand adjacent to the foreign liqueur shop.

It is possible to buy alcoholic beverages, ranging from local brews to smuggled beer and counterfeit brand alcohol. Local booze is available legally at government licensed shops. There is one in Agrabad on Sheik Mujib Rahman road. It is tucked into an alley way a short distance from the first floor "Siemens" showroom.

Counterfeit branded alcohol is available from illegal traders in Kulshie and other areas. But beware: deaths have been reported from consumption of adulterated liquor, and headaches and illness are more common. Smuggled booze is sometimes available on the sea beach.

Nightclubs and dancing

There are three private clubs in Chittagong. The premiere club is the Chittagong Club which is located at number one Empress Road. The Chittagong club has a bar license and serves foreign alcohol in addition to local gin, vodka, and whiskey. Chittagong Club membership is closed but foreigners can apply for "temporary membership" for up to two years.

The Chittagong Institute is a far smaller club but it does maintain a bar. It is located in Jamal Khan road.

The Catholic club opens membership to all persons for a small fee but membership applications are only accepted once a year (during December?) It maintains a small bar serving local drinks.

Sleep
This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budgetunder ৳5000
Mid-range৳5000-10000
Splurge৳10000 and over
Note: With some exceptions, hotels and other sleeping establishments will not allow anyone under age 18 to reserve a room. It is highly recommended to research and reserve in advance of arrival.

Budget
  • 🌍 Hotel Miskha (হোটেল মিসখা), 95 Station Road, ☏ +880 1711-178711. Check-out: noon. One of the better of the Station Road cheapies, rooms are large, fairly clean and more atmospheric than others in the area with faded old wooden furniture. Prices are a little high but don't even think of asking the stubborn manager for a discount or to throw in a TV. There's a decent restaurant behind the reception desk. Tk 200-300. 

Mid-range

Splurge

Apartment hotel

🌍 Amy Full Furnished Apartment (Amy full furnished apartment), Zakir Hossain By-Lane, East Nasirabad (near William Carey Academy School), ☏ +88017081609922, . Full-furnished apartment with a homely atmosphere. US$35-40. (updated Dec 2022)

Connect

Internet

Most hotel charge a separate fee for WiFi usage. Internet cafes can be found around the intersection of Station Rd and Jubilee Rd and around GEC Circle and Agrabad. Price around ৳40-60/hr.

Telephone

The country code for Bangladesh is 880. Add 31 to make a call for Chittagong.

Postal and courier services
  • Government courier
  • Private courier companies
  • 🌍 DHL Agrabad, Shafi Bhaban, Plot #6 Sheikh Mujib Road. Su-We 9AM-9PM. (updated Jul 2017)

Chittagong emergency numbers

Here are the Chittagong emergency contact numbers

Cope

ATMs

If you need cash, it's a good idea to get it before going inside bar or club. American Express, Master Card, VISA Card have accepted almost all the ATMs booth in the city. Check ahead to see if your bank has locations in Chittagong. On the Strip, the following ATMs are safer bets:

  • For the 🌍 Citibank N.A customers, there are ATMs inside the branch at Agrabad Commercial Area.
  • For 🌍 HSBC customers, there are ATMs inside the district main branch at Sheikh Mujib Road and different places of the city.

Major hospitals

Smoking

In the public places and stand-alone bars, smoking is permitted. However, there are some areas which are smoke-free but may be very close to smoking areas. Nightclubs and lounges may allow smoking if they do not serve food. For all other standalone restaurants, bars, convenience stores, grocery stores and airport facilities smoking is prohibited.

Laundry service

Laundry service is offered in most laundry shops and hotels, even in budget accommodations. If you would rather save the money and do it yourself, buckets are found in almost all public bathrooms - but perhaps wash it out well first.

  • Exercising outdoors is not recommended due to the level of pollution and swimming in rivers is also not recommended. Instead, look for a hotel with a gym or a pool since many offer day passes. You can always try a morning or evening walk in the parks.

Foreign missions and High Commissions

Go next

Chittagong is a great base for exploring the famous hill districts.

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