Bangladesh Travel Guide

Tourist Facilities and Shopping in Bangladesh

2012-09-12T07:57:00.017+06:00

Tourist Facilities: The international airport in Dhaka is well-equipped with facilities to handle passenger and cargo flights. The national carrier Bangladesh Biman and a number of major airlines of the world run regular services to and from Dhaka. Biman and a private company fly smaller aircraft to transport passengers to different airports within the country. The Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, the Sonargaon Pan Pacific Hotel and Purbani Hotel run their own transfer services to and from the airport for convenience of their guests. The Parjatan Corporation also runs a similar transfer service with a fleet of comfortable cars and micro buses. The corporation operates a large number of hotels, motels, cottages, restaurants, duty-free shops and package tours in Dhaka and at different tourist spots outside.

In the Sunderbans the visitors can stay in comfortable rest houses, take boat trips along the creeks and from observation towers watch tigers, deer, monkeys, crocodiles and birds. In Dhaka and elsewhere various kinds of oriental and western food are served by the hotels, motels and restaurants. Bangladehi costumes and handicraft are attractive in design and quality and are good value for money. In 1995, foreign tourists numbering 156, 231 visited the country bringing for the national exchequer over Tk. 95 million in foreign exchange.

Climate:

Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon-type climate, with a hot and rainy summer and a dry winter. January is the coolest month with temperatures averaging near 26 deg C (78 d F) and April the warmest with temperatures from 33 to 36 deg C (91 to 96 deg F). The climate is one of the wettest in the world. Most places receive more than 1,525 mm of rain a year, and areas near the hills receive 5,080 mm ). Most rains occur during the monsoon (June-September) and little in winter (November-February).

Bangladesh is subject to devastating cyclones, originating over the Bay of Bengal, in the periods of April to May and September to November. Often accompanied by surging waves, these storms can cause great damage and loss of life. The cyclone of November 1970, in which about 500,000 lives were lost in Bangladesh, was one of the worst natural disasters of the country in the 20th century.

Bangladesh has warm temperatures throughout the year, with relatively little variation from month to month. January tends to be the coolest month and May the warmest. In Dhaka the average January temperature is about 19°C (about 66°F), and the average May temperature is about 29°C (about 84°F).

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year. Warmer clothes are needed in the evenings during the cool season. Waterproofs are necessary during the monsoon season.

Shopping in Bangladesh: Bangladesh is indeed a shoppers' paradise with a rich tradition in handicrafts at throw away prices. While muslin of ancient Dhaka has gone into history, other products such as contemporary paintings, wood works, shital pati (mattress having cooling effect), bamboo decoration pieces, cane and conch shell products, gold and silver ornament, cotton, silk, gold, silver, jute, reed, brassware, traditional dolls and leather goods also receive deep appreciation of the lovers of arts and crafts now and over the past centuries. In addition, Bangladesh is famous for pink pearl.

Jute & Jute Products: Bangladesh is the world largest producer of natural jute and jute industry of Bangladesh produces wide range of jute products which include various jute bags and jute made handicrafts. Bangladesh Jute mills also manufacture and export Jute twine or jute yarn and jute sack packaging sack bags and jute hessian cloth bag for various packaging and industrial use.
Pink Pearl : Pink pearls are one of the best buy in Dhaka. These natural products are unparallel in luster.

Gold & Silver : A wide range of gold and silver ornaments, silver filigree work etc. are considered by many travelers to be unparalleled.

Brass & Copperware : Among the best buys here are brass and copperware trays, wall decorations, vases etc. all are hand made with fine engravings and filigree work. Products made from the hides and skins of animals and reptiles, intricate wood carvings, cane and bamboo products, conch shell, bangles, embroidered quilts, jamdani and silk fabrics can also be bought. These are available in DIT market and a number of exclusive shop in New Elephant Road, Dhaka.

Duty- free Shopping: Duty free sales and display centers run by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (NTO) are located in Dhaka, Zia International Airport, Mohakhaii and Sylhet Airport.

These shops enjoy the reputation of being well established with a wide range of goods at unbeatable prices. Goods available include wines and spirits, perfumes, cigarettes, hi-fi stereo and audio-visual equipment, Cameras, Watches and a range of household appliances. All purchases must be paid for in foreign currency. For more information please contract us.

Transportation of Bangladesh

2012-09-09T09:06:00.000+06:00

The transport sector of Bangladesh consists of a variety of modes. The country being a flat plain, all three modes of surface transport, i.e. road, railway and water are widely used in carrying both passengers and cargo.
More than half of Bangladesh have access to an all-weather hard surface road within 3 miles distance. There has been a dramatic expansion of road network in recent years. In 1947 there were only 461.8 kilometers of metalled roads. In 1997, the total length of paved road under the Roads and Highways Department stood at more than 20,000 kilometers. It is estimated that mechanized road transport carry about 70% of the country's total passenger and cargo volume.

In recent years. construction of a number of bridges such as the Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge, Meghna Bridge. Meghna-Gumti Bridge, Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, Shambhuganj Bridge and Mahananda Bridge have been completed. The 4.8 km long Bangabandhu Bridge which has been opened to traffic in June, 1998, is the eleventh longest in the world. It has established a strategic link between the East and the West of Bangladesh has integrated the country, is generating multifaceted benefits to the people and promoting inter-regional trade. Apart from quick movement of goods and passenger traffic, it is faci1itating transmission of electricity and natural gas and has integrated the telecommunication links.
About 32% of the total area of Bangladesh is effectively covered by the railways. State-owned Bangladesh Railway operates a track of 2706 kilometer, employs about 60,000 people, owns a fleet of 307 locomotives, 1240 coaching vehicles and I L643 freight wagons, and provides passenger and cargo services through 502 stations.
About two-thirds of Bangladesh is a wetland laced with a dense network of rivers, canals and creeks. Water transport is the only means available in nearly 10% of' the total area. The navigable waterways vary between 8372 kilometer during the monsoon to 5200 kilometer during the dry season. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority has been established by the government for maintenance of navigability of ports and channels while the state-owned BIWTC provide passenger and cargo services in inland waterways and coastal areas of the country.
The entire coast along the Bay of Bengal is 710 kilometer long. There are two major ports in the country. Chittagong, the oldest port, has been an entry-port for at least 1000 years. The Mongla port in Khulna region serves the western part of Bangladesh.
There are now 11 operational airports in Bangladesh. These are Dhaka, Barisal. Chittagomig. Comilla, Cox' s Bazar, Ishurdi, Jessore, Rajshahi, Syedpur, Sylhet and Thakurgaon. Of these, the airports at Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet serve international routes. Air careo and Short Take-oft and Landing (STOL) services have been opened to the private sector by the government.
The Civil Aviation Authority is a public sector entity entrusted to construct, maintain and supervise airports and regulate air traffic. The national flag carrier Biman flies to 26 international and 8 domestic destinations.

Rail:
The Bangladesh Railway provides an efficient service to places of interest such as Chittagong, Sylhet, Khulna, Mymensingh, Bogra, Rajshahi, Dinajpur starting from Dhaka. The inter-city Express Service is available to and from important cities at cheap fares.

Waterways :
Country-Made boats are the most widely used carrier one can see in the river and rivulets. These carry passengers and merchandise on a large scale. The landscape of Bangladesh is dominated by about 250 rivers which flow essentially north-sourth. The alluvial flood plain formed by these rivers covers most of the country. Wherever there is a river and a village, a launch or steamer will ply for trade. A journey by Rocket Steamer service from Dhaka (Sadarghat) to Khulna, the gateway to Sundarbans is a rewarding experience.

Bus/Coach Services:
Road transport in Bangladesh is a private sector affair operating predominantly in domestic routes. Rates are among the cheapest in the world. Express and non stop services are available to principal towns from Gabtoli, Saidabad and Mohakhai bus terminals in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) also maintains a countrywide network of bus services. Recently they have introduced Dhaka - Calcutta - Dhaka direct daily bus services via Benapole, Jessore.

Railway:
Nationally operated Bangladesh Railway provides an efficient service throughout Bangladesh. The inter city Express Service is available to and from important cities if in all. Local trains serve in cheaper rates.

Car Renta: Private car hire service is available in Dhaka and some other major cities. Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), a government organization, has a fleet of air-conditioned and non air-conditioned cars, microbuses and jeeps. Besides they offer transfer service for tourists between Dhaka airport and main city points or hotels.For more information please contract us.

Capital City Of Bangladesh ( Dhaka )

2012-04-04T14:43:00.008+06:00

Dhaka (Bangla: ঢাকা, pronounced [ɖʱaka]; formerly known as Dacca and Jahangir Nagar, under Mughal rule), is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka District. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, has a population of around 13 million, making it the largest city in Bangladesh.[2] It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and forms the world's 9th largest agglomeration and the largest city within the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. Dhaka is known as the City of Mosques[3] and renowned for producing the world's finest muslin. Dhaka is also known as the Rickshaw Capital of the World . Approximately 400,000 cycle rickshaws run each day.[4] Today it serves as one of the prime centers for culture, education and business in the region.

The history of Dhaka begins with the existence of urbanised settlements in the area that is now Dhaka dating from the 7th century CE. The city area was ruled by the Buddhist kingdom of Kamarupa before passing to the control of the Sena dynasty in the 9th century CE. Many believe that the name of the city was derived after the establishment of the Goddess Dhakeshwari's temple by Raja Ballal Sena in the 12th century CE. The Dhaka area of that time was identified as Bengalla. The town consisted of a few market centers like Lakshmi Bazar, Shankhari Bazar, Tanti Bazar, and a few localities of other craftsmen and businessmen like Patuatuli and Kumartuli, Bania Nagar and Goal Nagar. After the Sena dynasty, Dhaka was successively ruled by the Turkish and Afghan governors descending from the Delhi Sultanate before the arrival of the Mughals in 1608. The Afghan Fort in Dhaka was located at the present Central Jail.

Mughal Rule: The city passed to the control of the British East India Company in 1765 after the Battle of Plassey. The city then became known by its anglicized name, Dacca. Owing to the war, the city's population shrank dramatically in a short period of time. Although an important city in the Bengal province, Dhaka remained smaller than Kolkata, which served as the capital of British India for a long period of time. Under British rule, many modern educational institutions, public works and townships were developed. A modern water supply system was introduced in 1874 and electricity supply in 1878. The Dhaka Cantonment was established near the city, serving as a base for the soldiers of the British Indian Army. Dhaka served as a strategic link to the frontier of the northeastern states of Tripura and Assam.

British Rule: The city passed to the control of the British East India Company in 1765 after the Battle of Plassey. The city then became known by its anglicized name, Dacca. Owing to the war, the city's population shrank dramatically in a short period of time. Although an important city in the Bengal province, Dhaka remained smaller than Kolkata, which served as the capital of British India for a long period of time. Under British rule, many modern educational institutions, public works and townships were developed. A modern water supply system was introduced in 1874 and electricity supply in 1878.[5] The Dhaka Cantonment was established near the city, serving as a base for the soldiers of the British Indian Army. Dhaka served as a strategic link to the frontier of the northeastern states of Tripura and Assam.

East Pakistan's Capital: Following the partition of Bengal in 1905 and again in 1946, Dhaka became the capital of East Bengal. On August 15, 1947 East Bengal became a part of the new Muslim state of Pakistan. The city witnessed serious communal violence that left thousands of people dead. A large proportion of the city's Hindu population departed for India, while the city received hundreds of thousands of Muslim immigrants from the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam and Bihar. The city's population catapulted in a very short period of time, creating severe shortages and infrastructural problems.[6] As the centre of regional politics, Dhaka saw an increasing number of political strikes and incidents of violence. The adoption of Urdu as the sole official language of Pakistan led to protest marches and strikes involving hundreds of thousands of people. Known as the BengaliLanguage Movement, the protests soon degenerated into widespread violence after police firing killed students who were demonstrating peacefully. Martial law would be imposed throughout the city for a long period of time.

The arrest of Bengali politician Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1968 would also spark intensive political protests and violence against the military regime of Ayub Khan. The 1970 Bhola cyclone devastated much of the region, killing numerous people. More than half the city of Dhaka was flooded and waterlogged, with millions of people marooned. The following year saw Sheikh Mujib hold a massive nationalist gathering on March 7, 1971 at the Race Course Ground that attracted an estimated one million people. Galvanising public anger against ethnic and regional discrimination and poor cyclone relief efforts from the central government, the gathering preceded the March 26 declaration of Bangladesh's independence. In response, the Pakistan Army launched Operation Searchlight, which led to the arrests, torture and killing of hundreds of thousands of people, mainly Hindus and Bengali intellectuals. The fall of the city to the Indian Army on December 16 marked the creation of the independent state of Bangladesh.

Post-independence

Despite independence, political turmoil continued to plague the people of Dhaka. The Pakistan Army's operations had killed or displaced millions of people, and the new state struggled to cope with the humanitarian challenges. The year 1975 saw the killing of Sheikh Mujib and three military coups. The city would see the restoration of order under military rule, but political disorder would heighten in the mid-1980s with the pro-democracy movement led by the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Political and student strikes and protests routinely disrupted the lives of Dhaka's people. However, the post-independence period has also seen a massive growth of the population, attracting migrant workers from rural areas across Bangladesh. A real estate boom has followed the development of new settlements such as Gulshan, Banani and Motijheel. In 1985, Dhaka hosted the inaugural summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. It has also hosted the summits of the D8 group and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

Although living in Dhaka can be tough at times, there are some great things about it, for me. I fully realise some points in the list below can't be enjoyed by everyone in B'desh whether as a tourist or a resident, but there you have it. I'm well aware I'm incredibly lucky to be in this country and enjoy so much of it in ways many millions of people here can't due to not being British/white/able to earn a half-decent salary (I work at a local school and earn a local salary, but I know it's still more than the majority)/other factors I'm well aware of. I'm just trying to defend myself a bit here as I've had a few comments about this particular blog entry along the lines of how I sound elitist/prejudiced/patronising etc etc, which I don't think is true at all. I have tried to be a part of everyday life here in Dhaka as much as I can and have met many wonderful people here, from Bangladesh and from other countries. Anyhow, here's a glimpse of life in B'desh from my point of view.

25 great things about living in Dhaka (in no particular order):

1. Being able to get your own shoes made, to fit you, out of any colour leather you want, any buckle, shape, size, style, heel..all within a week and for £15 equivalent.

2. Having freshly-made waffles with fresh cream and jam, with a jug of iced tea, for 2 quid, at Sally-Ann's, a Salvation Army place which sells lovely handmade stuff including household items, paper, candles, decorations.

3. The fab restaurants. Thai, Chinese, Indian, Bangladeshi, Japanese, Korean, Italian, French...the list goes on, and all for less than £10 between 3 people usually. I've lived and travelled quite a bit and I've never had such good food so consistently in one place. I really like the Mango Cafe near where I live (lassis to die for) and also the Dhaba on Road 11 (I think?) in Banani...yummy mutton curry...aah don't get me started..yum...

4. Fresh fruit like pineapples, grapes, coconuts (is that a fruit?!), mangoes..again, for less than 1p per whole pineapple for example, all year round

5. Getting any material you fancy and/or any clothing pattern you like and getting a dress, or a skirt, or a top etc made to measure for..not a lot.

6. Jatra, Aranya, Aarong, Karamanga, Kumudini..the array of fair-trade, individual, non-massed produces products you can buy at these kinds of places is amazing..wish the UK had these. And they're in such bright colours - again, the UK has much to learn from B'desh when it comes to experimenting with bold, bright colours. Good to know People Tree (peopletree.co.uk) work so closely with B'desh sourcing beautiful clothing and accessories from there to sell in the UK!

7. Being whizzed around the streets in a rickshaw. It feels like you are going to be thrown off every second and the rickshaw-wallahs are always trying to scheme me for much more taka than I know locals get charged (as I have found out), but I like being whizzed around in one occasionally! Anyway I don't mind paying a bit more than perhaps is usual; I have so much compared to them. However when I had a rickshaw ride that was under a mile long and he wanted 100 taka for it (when I know people usually pay 10-20), I refused to be a mug!

8. Buying a dinner set (cups, platters, 2 different sized plates, bowls, teapot etc) for 20 quid from the warehouses that produce china and porcelain for John Lewis, M&S etc..but before those shops put mark-up prices on!

9. Being called 'pretty' or 'beautiful' almost every day by my students or random people..I don't know why because I've never had such compliments while living in the UK! Maybe it's because I wear shalwaar kameez(es) all the time, as they're much cooler in this climate than Western clothes..I know people say they appreciate me wearing 'their' clothes as I've had comments about it but...I have no idea!

10. Movenpick ice cream parlour, a Swiss ice cream company that acts like a bar, open til late, most people don't drink alcohol here (Muslim) so this is the equivalent of going down the pub on a Friday night!

11. Going out on the boat on the river at weekends. Peace and quiet, greenery, kids from villages waving from the shore, seeing kingfishers and dolphins.

12. Village life 30 mins outside the city. Saris drying on the line, chickens clucking around, kids playing, men fishing with massive Chinese nets..

13. Cheap DVDs and CDs!

14. Markets. Manic but great once you're in and try to ignore being stared at! Last time I went to Newmarket I tried to search for a poster of Hrithik Roshan...he's so fit!

15. Learning to be a 'proper' teacher, making my kids laugh (occasionally) and trying to raise funds for e.g. the cyclone victims through school bake sales! (Any excuse to bake...)

16. Watching Bollywood movies and learning the songs (I can now sing..a little...in Hindi ;)) I love 'Dhoom 2', 'Bunty aur Babli' and basically anything with the aforementioned Hrithik in...

17. Material. Silk everywhere, cotton, silk-cotton mix, handwoven stuff, love it.

18. Swimming in an open air pool, having a fresh pineapple juice and a club burger at the British High Commission down the road. Aaah. Yes, in that way, I'm very spoilt having access to a pool!

19. Singing in a band. It can get thorny at times with 9 people in the band currently, but it's fun. We play gigs at various Embassies when wanted...

20. Going to the local salon around the corner and getting a massage/manicure/hot oil treatment/henna etc, again for only a few quid.

21. Call to prayer. OK it's a bit annoying sometimes when you're in a quiet bit in a movie when you hear 'aaaaaAAAAAAAA' from the mosque down the road, but it's kind of nice and comforting.

22. The sound and smell of monsoon rain. Not practical to move about in, but enjoyable if you're under a solid roof! Watch the road outside turn into a lake in minutes!

23. A brown baguette from the Westin hotel. Ridiculously expensive but I treat myself once in a while as I really miss crusty brown bread (even tho I didn't have it in China, still I miss it!). Also it has very cold air conditioning, which is a relief after a hot day!

24. The friendliness of people here..they want to practise their English and it's much better than in China (sorry China) so it's much easier to hold a conversation with a random person! First question 'Where you from?' Second question 'Are you married?' (this from women and men...and then they gasp when I say no...)

25. The different and seemingly endless festivals they have here with clothing to match...Spring Day (yellow and orange everywhere); Mother Language Day (black and white everywhere); I now have every shalwaar kameez colour in the world to go with every festival/celebration that happens in Bangladesh! For more information please contract us.

Saint Martins Bangladesh(Island)

2011-11-20T16:39:00.003+06:00

St. Martin's Island is a small island in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal, about 9 km south of the tip of the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula, and forming the southernmost part of Bangladesh. It is about 8 km west of the northwest coast of Myanmar, at the mouth of the Naf River. The local name of the island is "Narical Gingira", also spelled "Narikel Jinjira/Jinjera", means 'Coconut Island' in Bengali. It is the only coral island in Bangladesh.

Most of the island's 5500 inhabitants live primarily from fishing. Besides, the other staple crops are rice and coconut. Being very common in the island, Algae is collected, then dried and finally exported to Myanmar. Between October and April, the fishermen from neighbouring areas bring their caught fishes to the island's temporary wholesale market. As the centre and the south are mainly farmland and makeshift huts, most of the strenuous things are around the far north of the island.

Motel Nijhum is one of the best hotels in St. Martin’s Island. Besides,Abokash, Ratnodeep Resort, Nil Diganta,Blue Marine, Prashad Paradise and Sraboni Bilash are also well known hotels. All these hotels are situated near the seashore.

Do not expect to find taxis, tarred roads or electricity here. Except for the larger hotels that run on generators, there is no electricity supply from National grid in the island. The island is all about sun, sea and palm trees. During the day, the island comes alive with water and beach sports, with beach parties and bonfires lighting up the evening skies.

St. Martin's Island has become a popular tourist spot. Currently, five shipping liners run daily trips to the island, including Shahid Sher Niabat, L T Kutubdia, Eagle, Keary Cruise & Dine and Keary-Sindbad. Tourists can book their trip either from Chittagong or from Cox's Bazar. The surrounding coral reef of the island has an extension named Chera Dwip. A small bush is there, which is the only green part of Chera Dwip, enhancing the beauty of this island. People do not live on this part of the island, so it is advisable for the tourists to go there early and come back by afternoon.

You will get the best weather usually between November and February. Undoubtedly, this is the major tourist season. Between March and July, a tourist must keep his eyes on the forecast keenly, as cyclone can strike during these times. The island was devastated by a cyclone in 1991 but has fully recovered, and was untouched by the 2004 tsunami. Thus, March to July is tourist off season.

In the past 5 years St. Martin's visitor population has increased dramatically. While this situation has proven to be lucrative for the islanders, it is causing the natural beauty of the island to deteriorate. Presently there are many efforts being put forth to preserve the several endangered species of turtles that nest on the island, as well as the corals, some of which are found only on Narikel Jinjera. Pieces of the coral reef are being removed in order to be sold to tourists.[1] Nesting turtles are sometimes taken for food, and their hatchlings are often distracted by the twinkling lights along the beach. Species of fish, a few just recently discovered, are being overfished. Every year the fishermen must venture further out to sea to get their catch. Most of them use motorless boats.

It's possible to walk around the island in a day because it measures only 8 km2 (3 sq. mile), shrinking to about 5 km2 (2 sq. mi) during high tide. The island exists only because of its coral base, so removal of that coral risks erosion of the beaches. Sadly, St. Martin's has lost roughly 25% of its coral reef in the past 7 years.For more information please contract us.

Rajshahi Bangladesh

2011-11-14T15:36:00.002+06:00

The Division of Rajshahi: in the northwestern corner of Bangladesh is bordered on the east by the mighty Jamuna River and the Padma/Ganges River on the south, and shares a disputed border with India to the north and west, making access to Gaud, one of the most interesting archaeological sites in all of Bengal, almost impossible. During Partition, the ancient capital of Gaur was split through the middle and now part of it lies in Bangladesh and part in India.

Rajshahi Division has an impressive collection of sites which are spread over a wide area and are best reached by a private vehicle. Rajshahi is a University town, the center of the silk Industry, as well as being an important cultural center. Formerly it was also quite famous as a focal point for the Indigo trade with the Baro Kuthi building witness to the countless atrocities committed by the British related to this disreputable trade. The Varendra Research Museum is an essential starting point as it contains a massive collection of artifacts related to the area. The building itself is a blend of Hindu and Buddhist styles of the eighth and ninth centuries with the prevailing British influence of the 1920s. Inside is one of the finest collections of black stone sculptures in the country.

Eighteen miles (29 km) east of Rajshahi town, in the village of Puthia, is a fascinating but little-known group of medieval Hindu temples. Besides the imposing Maharani's Palace (Puthia was formerly a large estate) there is an interesting variety of temples. At the entrance to the village is a large white stucco temple dedicated to Shiva, following a typical north Indian design and dating from 1823. To the left of the main facade of the palace is the Govinda Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna, which follows a typical Hindu temple shape prevalent in Bengal at the time. It is decorated with delicate terra-cotta panels depicting scenes from the Radha Krishna and other Hindu epics. At the back of the palace is another delightful Bangla style miniature temple, which is in the shape of a Bengali bamboo hut but built of brick and adorned with some exquisite terra-cotta designs. Across a large tank to the right of the palace are a further pair of temples exhibiting a variation of styles. One, the Jagaddhatri Temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, is a combination of the Bangla style and the Chau-chala style, or hut-shaped roof with four slopes. The other temple alongside is also of the Chau-chala style. Both temples are liberally decorated with terra-cotta designs.

MahasthanTo continue the tour of Rajshahi, it is best to drive via Bogra to visit the Mahasthan and Paharpur sites. On the way, you will witness some fascinating local fishing methods - fish being the staple diet of the Bangladeshi- whether by casting or laying a net, by spear, or by trapping the unsuspecting fish in an upturned basket. You will see large expanses of sugarcane or cotton, which are 'dry crops' and of course an abundance of paddy fields as well as jute, which is grown throughout Bangladesh. The archaeological site of Mahasthan, dating from the third century B.C., which is about eight miles (13 km) north of Bogra, represents the earliest city site in the whole of Bengal. It is an impressive fortified city covering about 2.3 million square feet (210,000 square meters), most of which is still buried beneath farmland. The citadel is encircled on three sides by artificial moats and by the Karatoya River on the fourth.

Other ruins fan out within a semicircle radius of about five miles (eight km), making it one of the most important of all ancient sites in the region. It is worth walking up onto the platform of the citadel, which stands above the surrounding countryside, to see the extent of the site and to take a closer look at some of the recently exposed rampart walls. Outside and beyond the citadel on the right of the road is another interesting site where the remains of a brick Hindu temple, the Govinda Bhita, have been exposed. They stand on the bend of the Karotoya, which was said to have been the widest river in Bengal; today it is just a backwater. Opposite is the fine Mahasthan Site Museum, filled with finds from local archaeological excavations. About four miles (six km) west of Mahasthan are the ruins of Vasu Bihar, an early Buddhist monastic site recorded by the famous Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang in the seventh century. Recent excavations have shown several changes during its 500 year history.

By far the most spectacular Buddhist site to be discovered is the gigantic temple and monastery of Paharpur, dating from the eighth century A.D. Paharpur is about 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Mahasthan via the busy market town of Jaipurhat. Access from Jaipurhat is along a rutted cart track that is sometimes passable in an ordinary car. Paharpur has been identified from a series of inscribed clay seals as the Somapura Vihara from the great Pala Dynasty. It is the biggest single vihara (image house) south of the Himalayas, measuring approximately 900 feet (273 meters) along each side and enclosed by an outer wall with 177 monastic cells built into it. In the center of the 22-acre (nine-hectare) courtyard are the ruins of a mighty temple which rises to a height of 72 feet (22 meters)- an unusual hillock giving the local village of Paharpur its name (pahar meaning 'hill'). The temple is cruciform in plan, built in high quality brick with thousands of terra-cotta plaques depicting the art form of that period, whether it be religious or secular, human or animal, mythological or purely an artist's whim .

Following the Buddhist creed and ritual, the monastery was built in the wilderness - but not too far from a town to enable the inmates to beg from the nearby town - alongside a river which ran along the southern side. Today, the remains of the bathing and toilet facilities beyond the outside wall can also be seen in the southeastern corner.

The temple was planned with two circumambulatories, lined with the terra-cotta plaques, which were enclosed walkways enabling the faithful to circumambulate in a clockwise direction and, at the upper level, within the cruciform projections, pay homage to the main Buddhist divinities.

Inside the courtyard there are the remains of several ancillary buildings and it is possible to make out the refectory, a miniature version of the main temple and a large well which the locals believe provides waters with great healing powers.

During recent exploratory excavations, an important archaeological find of a large bronze Buddha dating from the Gupta period was accidentally discovered in one of the monks cells. It is considered to be one of the most splendid specimens of mature Pala art of the ninth century, cast using the 'wax loss' process.

Paharpur's later history is uncertain but it seems to have been abandoned in the 12th century A.D., probably due to flooding. Today the site is under water during the monsoon.

In 1979, the government joined forces with the United Nations and UNESCO to prepare a conservation program to safeguard this priceless site. There is a small site museum close to the monastic complex containing, amongst other finds, some interesting stone images/scenes which are representative of over 55 in situ pieces hidden below present ground level at the base of the temple.

A few hundred yards from the monastery, on the eastern side, are the ruins of Satyapir Bhita, a Buddhist temple complex apparently dedicated to Tara, the female consort of the Dhyani Buddha.

KantanagarA long day's trip to the north end of Bangladesh, about 12 miles (19 km) beyond Dinajpur, is the beautiful Hindu temple of Kantanagar, which was built in 1752 by Maharaja Pran Nath of Dinajpur. This temple, which is famed for its fine terracotta work, was originally a nine-tower structure crowned with four richly ornamental towers at two levels, with a central spire over the third. It was badly damaged in an earthquake at the end of the 19th century, but it is still possible to make out the bases of the towers. Nevertheless, the temple rightly claims to be one of the best examples of its type in brick and terra-cotta built by Bengali artisans. Dedicated to the Hindu divinity Krishna, the structure stands on a stone plinth, in sharp contrast to the warm red of the terracotta, which depicts in the spandrels over the archway scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.For more information please contract us.

Rangamati

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Rangamati: If you don’t visit Rangamati you will not discover a big portion of natural beauties of Bangladesh. From Chittagong a 77 km. road amidst green fields and winding hills will take you to Rangamati. It is also connected by waterway from Kaptai.

Hanging Bride, Rangamati: This is the only place to visit through out the year. Rangamati expresses her full beauty in rainy season. Trees becoming greener, waterfalls are in full tide, the river Karnaphuli in her full wave in this season. If you already visited Rangamati in winter, we advice to go there again in monsoon; you will feel the difference of nature yourself.

Parjatan holiday complex is the best place to stay in Rangamati. There are other hotels in Rangamati where you can stay. Boating is the prime attraction in Rangamati. You can go to Kaptai and also by Karnaphuli River you can go deep in side the hill areas where on the way you will find lots of natural waterfalls. If you wish you can take shower in the waterfall or you can swim in the river. By boat you can visit the tribal villages, King Chakma's (tribal) Palace that is called Chakma Rajbari, Rajbonbihar pagoda, Tribal museum etc. You can also enjoy the tribal handmaid crafts if you go for shopping in the local market.

Kaptai Lake: Kaptai Lake Built in early sixties Kaptai Dam and the lake are the main attractions of Kaptai. If you are not visiting Kaptai separately then, don’t forget to go for a boating up to Kaptai on the Kaptai Lake while you go to Rangamati tour.

Khagrachari: Khagrachhari is the natural wild beauty of Bangladesh. Here you can visit the tribal lifestyle of Chakmas’ in Khagrachari. You can also visit Alutila hill. Approximately 100 meters long a very dark Cave is the mysterious beauty of Alutila hill.

Bandarban

Lots of hills and hilly areas, waterfalls, River Sangu, Lakes and the tribal culture are the main attraction of Bandarban .

You can go to Bandarban from Chittagong by road. Chimbuk hill is one of the major attractions of Bandarban. You can enjoy the journey to Chimbuk Hill by jig jag hilly roads. It’s the third highest mountain in Bangladesh of approx. 3000 ft height. Reach Chimbuk by jeep or microbus from Rangamati. A beautiful Rest house is there on the top of Chimbuk hill.

If you are lucky then you can feel the clouds touching your whole body. If you take the prior permission from Roads and Highway Department you can spent a night in the rest house on the top of Chimbuk hill. If you stay there a night, you will remember your stay for your whole life with the calmness of nature hearing sometimes the wild animals squalling.

Ruma is another hill town on the same rout of Chimbuk. If you wish to visit Ruma, then 01st go to Ruma spend some time there and then come back to Chimbuk Hill.

You can enjoy the Shailapropat a waterfall in Bandarban. Its also a tourist attraction of waterfall surrounded by hills & amp; forest; be carefully while you go to Shailapropat - the rocky path way is very slippery, if you are not cautious there is a good chance to sleep & make an accident there.

Another tourist spot in Bandarban is Meghla - it’s a beautiful spot where you can enjoy boat or speedboat riding on the lake Meghla. If you are lucky you may see the wild animals in the forest. There are small shades in this spot to protect you from rains in the season of monsoon and from the hit of the Sun in hot summer days. A beautiful hanging wooden bridge enhances the beauty of this spot. In one side there are some constructions and facilities for the tourists like tower, restaurant while on the other side is wild life, natural forest and hills. In the town you can visit the house where the king of tribe Chakma lives and from there you can visit the archeological museum of Bandarban. In this museum you will find the archeological history of the tribal life and the tribes of hill areas of Bandarban. The museum authority has set up various tribal houses in the museum, which will give you a brief idea of kinds of tribal houses, their design and architectural structures.For more information please contract us.

Bandarban Division of Chittagong

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How to get there: There are direct a/c and non a/c buses of different transport operators plying between Dhaka and Bandarban in the morning and late in the evening everyday.

Other traveling options include traveling to Chittagong by bus, train or air. From Chittagong you can take a reserved transport to Bandarban. It will take about 3 hours to reach Bandarban.

Suggested Activities / Destinations

Trekking to the Sangu River: To reach the Sangu River you venture on a short downhill hike. Returning to the Hillside Resort involves a physically exerting uphill climp of approximately two hours. You can opt for a local boat journey to Bandarban town and return to the resort by public or reserved transport.

Shailapropat Waterfall & Bawm Village: The scenic walk to the Shailapropat waterfall (4 km from Hillside Resort) along the local road takes one hour. You may wish to take a refreshing dip in the stream or chose to continue the walk to the nearby bawm village ‘Faruk para’, before returning on foot or with local or reserved transport. For all activities we strongly recommend the assistance of a local guide. This will enhance your experience and ensure your safety.

Trekking Excursion to Hatibandha: Hatibandha is a beautiful Tripura village situated in the valley close to our resort. The village can only be reached on foot. The short hike mostly follows a lovely stream, and includes some steep ascents. You will need 2-3 hours for this excursion.

Excursion to Chimbuk &amp: Murong Village: Chimbuk, one of the highest points in Bangladesh accessible by road, is an hour drive from the resort. Visitors are rewarded with a stunning view. You can also have a glimpse of Bay of Bengal from the peak. The nearby Murong tribal village is in walking distance. The accompanying guide will introduce you to the lifestyle and traditions of the Murong people.

Overnight Trip to Bogalake: Boga Lake is a wonderful natural lake known for its scenic beauty, 65km from Bandarban and 20 km from Ruma Thana. This overnight trip involves a two hour drive to Painkhyongchori, a boat journey to Ruma bazaar and a five hour trek to Boga Lake. Your local guide will arrange the overnight stay and all meals. You will need to carry a sleeping bag along with your essentials.

Jadi Temple/ Golden Temple: Perched on a hill top in Balaghata, a few kilometers out of town, is a large, glowing Buddhist temple. It is one of the most impressive structures in the country and is worth visiting. You are not allowed to enter the temple in shorts or with shoes on. There is also a pond on the hilltop called the “Debota Pukur” meaning pond of the God.

Meghla Parjatan Complex

It is located 4 km from Bandarban town, on the Bandarban-Keranihaat road. A man-made lake has been created by building a dam. Meghla houses a children’s park, a mini zoo, two hanging bridges, and has boating facilities on the lake.

Nilgiri: 47 km southeast from Bandarban town, on a hilltop 2200 feet above sea-level, is situated the Nilgiri resort. It is managed and administered by the armed forces. Often covered with clouds, this place provides a panoramic view of the landscape.

Bijoy/ Tajingdong

The highest peak of Bangladesh Bijoy or locally called Tajingdong has a height of about 4500 ft. It is located in Ruma upazilla. During the dry season it is possible to drive near Tajingdong by motorized vehicle.

Nilachol and Shuvranila

This place is often referred to as Darjeeling of Bangladesh. Nilachol tourist centre is located 4 km from Bandarban town in a place called Tiger Para.

Prantik Lake

Almost 14 km from Bandarban town, in a village called Holudia on the Bandarban-Chittagong highway, is Prantik Lake; spread over 2500 acres of land. The lake is surrounded by various species of plants and trees.

Rijuk Waterfall: On the way from Ruma to Thanchi by Shangu River you will see Ruma Jolpropat or Rijuk waterfall. You can either take an engine boat from Ruma to the waterfall or you may also go for a trekking from Ruma to Rijuk.

For all activities we strongly recommend you to use the assistance of a local guide. This will enhance your experience and ensure your safety.

we request you to follow these rules:

Respect the local traditions and social rules at all times.

Never photograph people without their permission.

Do not encourage the illegal wildlife trade by buying endangered animals or animal products.

Do not litter.

Do not disturbing the wildlife and refrain from picking flowers, plants or fruits.

All foreign nationals traveling need to inform the Deputy Commissioner and all the local security agencies prior to their arrival.

The entire Chittagong Hill Tracts are malaria prone. We, therefore, strongly advise you to wear full sleeve, full pants and use insect repellent lotion, especially in the evening. During the rainy season leeches are common in this area. Suitable footwear and socks help avoid their bite.For More Information Please Contact Us.

Cox’s Bazar

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Cox’s Bazar, the world’s longest natural sandy sea beach with its incredible 125 km length, and most visited tourist destinations in Bangladesh. It is also a modern town; well known fishing port and a district headquarter in Bangladesh.It is a district in the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh near the border of Myanmar. The town is located 150 kilometer south of Chittagong. Due to lack of development, publicity and mismanagement; the spot has so far to become a most desirable international tourist destination in Asia. Cox’s Bazar now is competing to get top for “New7Wonders of Nature”.

Alternative Name: “Panowa” means “yellow flower”.

Old Name: “Palongkee”.

Modern Cox’s Bazar: The modern Cox’s Bazar gained its name from British-Indian Captain Hiram Cox in the 18th century. He was an officer of British East India Company. He did several social works here as the Superintendent of Palongkee outpost before he died in 1799. The works he had done made him a place in the hearts of the locals. As a result, to commemorate Cox’s role in social work a market was established here and named after him as “Cox’s Bazaar” (“Cox’s Market”) with time it turn as Cox’s Bazar.

Cox’s Bazar city is not so big. It has only 6.85 km² of area. But its weather condition is always good for healthy life. Bangladesh is situated in the monsoon area. So in the Cox’s Bazar there is very seasonal change. In this region most of the time there stay high temperature, heavy rainfall excessive humidity because of the Bay of Bengal. The weather is controlled by the beautiful sea Bay of Bengal. The Bay of Bengal in Cox’s Bazar is a small port and health resort.

Near the Cox’s Bazar city there are several places to visit which places are really attractive for the tourists. Himchari, Laboni Beach, Sonadia Island, Maheshkhali, Teknaf, ST Martin Island etc places are really exciting and enjoyable spot for the viewers.

The best remarkable scenery of Cox’s Bazar is the sunrise and sunset scenery. You can enjoy there with water-related activities. A lot of small shopping mall are located here you can get very nice handmade clothes, Barmiz shoes, dress and various types of showpieces. You will also get various kinds of food. The traditional Achar (pickle) and Shutki (dry fish0 of Cox’s Bazar are really famous around the world.

Cox’s Bazar is really a great place to visit for a tourist. Every year a huge number of tourists come here from across the world. Many high class hotels are driving their business in the Cox’s Bazar. So, don’t think for accommodation. It is a matter of sorrow for the country that a few number of foreign tourists come here for visiting. However, for the lack of publication the spot cannot attack more visitors which should be. But recently, the administrations take some step to increase its facilities and publicities. For more information please contract us.

Sundarban Bangladesh

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The Sundarbans are the largest littoral mangrove belt in the world, stretching 80km (50mi) into the Bangladeshi hinterland from the coast. The forests aren't just mangrove swamps though, they include some of the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain. The Sundarbans cover an area of 38,500 sq km, of which about one-third is covered in water. Since 1966 the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are now 400 Royal Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area.

The park is also home to sea gypsy fishing families who catch fish using trained otters. To see this pristine environment, you need to get a permit from the Divisional Forest Office in Khulna. With permit in hand, it's possible to hire a boat from Mongla or Dhangmari to get you to Hiron Point. From Hiron Point you will have to hire a guide to take you into the park.

Sundarbans is home to many different species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and fishes. Over 120 species of fish and over 260 species of birds have been recorded in the Sundarbans. The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is common in the rivers. No less than 50 species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians are known to occur. The Sundarbans now support the only population of the Estuarine, or Salt-Water Crocodile (Crocodylus parasus) in Bangladesh, and that population is estimated at less than two hundred individuals.

Here land and water meet in many novel fashions, Wildlife presents many a spectacle. No wonder, you may come across a Royal Bengal Tiger swimming across the streams or the crocodiles basking on the river banks. With the approach of the evening herds of deer make for the darking glades where boisterous monkeys shower Keora leaves from above for sumptuous meal for the former. For the botanist, the lover of nature, the poet and the painter this land provides a variety of wonder for which they all crave.

It's beauty lies in its unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest is the natural habitat of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, theses monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of Siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, golpatta (round-leaf), fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans.

This is indeed a land for the sportsmen, the anglers and the photographers with its abundance of game, big and small, crocodile, wild boar, deer, pythons, wild-birds and above all the Royal Bengal Tiger, cunning, ruthless and yet majestic and graceful, For the less adventurously inclined, there are ducks and snipes, herons and coots, yellow-lags and sandpipers. It is also the land for the ordinary holiday makers who desire to rest or wander around at will to refresh their mind and feast their eyes with the rich treasure that nature has so fondly bestowed. For more information please contract us.

Saven Woanders

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In the south western part of Bangladesh, in the district of greater Khulna, lies the Sundarbans, "the beautiful forest." It is a virgin forest which until recently owed nothing to human endeavour and yet nature has laid it out with as much care as a planned pleasure ground. For miles and miles, the lofty treetops form an unbroken canopy, while nearer the ground, works of high and ebb-tide marked on the soil and tree trunks and the many varieties of the natural mangrove forest have much to offer to an inquisitive visitor.

Here land and water meet in many novel fashions. Wild life presents many a spectacle. No wonder, you may come across a Royal Bengal Tiger swimming across the streams or the crocodiles basking on the river banks. With the approach of the evening herds of deer make for the darking gladeswhere boisterous monkeys shower Keora leaves from above for sumptuous meal for the former. For the botanist, the lover of nature, the poet and the painter this land provides a variety of wonders for which they all crave.

The Sundarbans is a cluster of islands with an approximate area of 3600 sq. km. forming the largest block of littoral forests. It's beauty lies in its unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest is the natural habitat of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, rhesus monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, gopatta (round-leaf), fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene natural beauty of the Sundarbans.

This is indeed a land for the sportsmen. the anglers and the photographer with its abundance of game. big and small, crocodile. wild b ar. deer, pythons. wild birds and above all the Royal Bengal tiger, cunning, ruthless and yet majestic and graceful. For the less adventurou5ly inclined, there are ducks and snipes. heron and coots. yellow-lags and sandpipers. It is also the land for t e ordinary holiday makers who desire to rest or wander aroun at will to refresh their mind and feast their eyes with the rich t easure that nature has so fondly bestowed. For more information please contract us.

Sylhet

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Situated in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh, Sylhet is a prime attraction for all tourists. Laying between the Khasia and the Jaintia hills on the north, and the Tripura hills on the south, Sylhet breaks the monotony of the flatness of this land by a multitude of terraced tea gardens, rolling countryside and the exotic flora and fauna. The Sylhet valley is formed by a beautiful, winding pair of rivers named the Surma and the Kushiara both of which are fed by innumerable hill streams from the north and the south.The valley has good number of haors which are big natural depressions. During winter these haors are vast stretches of green land, but in the rainy season they turn into turbulent seas. These haors provide a sanctuary to the millions of migratory birds who fly from Siberia across the Himalayas to avoid the severe cold there.

Sylhet has also a very interesting and rich history, Before the conquest by the Muslims, it was ruled by local chieftains. In 1303, the great Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal came to Sylhet from Delhi with a band of 360 disciples to preach Islam and defeated the then Raja Gour Gobinda. Sylhet thus became a district of saints, shrines. Sylhet, the tea granary of Bangladesh, not only has over 150 tea gardens but also proudly possesses three largest tea gardens in the world in respect of dimension and production.

Places of Interest:

The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal:Even today, more than six hundred years after the death of Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal, the shrine is visited by innumerable devotees of every caste and creed, who make the journey from far away places. Legend says, the great saint who came from Delhi to preach Islam, defeated the then Hindu Raja (king) Gour Gobinda. He transformed the witchcraft followers of the Raja into catfishes which are still alive in the tank adjacent to the shrine Swords. The holy Quran and the robes of the holy saint are still preserved in the shrine.

Haripu Gras Field: Twenty two kilometers from Sylhet town is the Haripur Gas Field and at 35 km. point is the Jaintiapur's Rajbari.

Only 5 km. from Jaintiapur is Jaflong, a scenic spot amidst tea gardens. At about 35 km. north-west of Sylhet town, linked by rail, road and river is Chhatak, the seat of Assam Bengal Cement Factory, Chhatak is famous for orange garden.

Madhabkunda: About 3 km. from Dakhinbagh Railway Station, Madhabkunda, rich with famous waterfall attracts large number of tourists from home and abroad every year.

Situated amidst splendid panorama, Tamabil is a border outpost on Sylhet-Shilong Road about 55 km. away from Sylhet town. Besides enchanting views of the area one can also have a glimpse of the waterfalls across the border from Tamabil. Jaflong is also a scenic spot nearby amidst tea gardens and rate beauty of rolling stones from hills.

Srimangal: About 80 km. from Sylhet town connected by road and rail, Srimangal known as the tea capital of Bangladesh, is the actual tea center of the area. For miles and miles around, the visitor can see the tea gardens spread like a green carpet over the plain land or on the sloping hills.

Temple of Sri Chaitannya Dev: About 500 years old famous temple of Sri Chaitanya Dev is located at Dhaka Dakhin about 45 km south-east from Sylhet town. The place is revered from being the ancestral home of the famous Vaishnava saint. Yearly fair is organised on the fullmoon day of the Bangla month Falgun. Hundreds and thousands of devotees from home and abroad attend this colorful fair.

Shahi Eidgah: Three kilometers to the north-east of the circuit house, the Shahi Eidgah was built on a hill by the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb in the 17th century. It looks like a grade fort but is actually meant for Eid congregations, the two biggest Muslim festivals.

Gour Gobinda Fort: The Murarichand Government College is situated in a beautiful surrounding on a hilltop. To the north-west of the college lie the remains of King Gour Govinda's Fort.

Jaintiapur: Situated 43 km. to the north of Sylhet town, on the Sylhet- Shillong road, Jaintiapur was the capital of an ancient kingdom which included the khasi and Jaintia Hills and plains of Jainta. Interesting ruins of this forgotten period lie scattered throughout Jaintiapur. A drive to Jaintiapur is an interesting and worthwhile experience.

Attractions:

Manipuri Dance: An interesting feature of Sylhet region is the lifestyle of tribes such as the Tipperas, the Monipuris, Khasis and Garos who still live in their primitive ways in the hills, practicing their age-old rites, rituals, customs and traditions. During festivals such as, Rash Leela (Full-moon night in February) and Doljatra, the attractive young girls dressed in colorful robes, dance with the male members of their choice & love. The Monipuris perform their famous dance, based on allegorical love themes of the ancient mythology.

Handicrafts: Sylhet is well-known for its wide variety of exquiste handicrafts. Well-known Sylhet cane products such as chair, table, tea trays, flower vases, bags and the exquisitely designed fine Sital Pati (a kind of mattress having natural cooling effect) are colorful souvenirs.

Chittagong

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Chittagong is the chief port of Bangladesh and has extensively developed port facilities for ocean steamers.

Situated on the Karnaphuli River some 19 km (12 mi) from its mouth at the Bay of Bengal, Chittagong is the commercial and manufacturing center of the nation, with a population of 1,750,000 (1986 est.).

Chittagong The city's many industries, powered by a hydroelectric plant up the river, use the products of the area--jute, cotton, rice, tea, petroleum (from offshore installations), and bamboo. The bamboo is harvested chiefly from the Chittagong Hill tracts, 13,191 sq. km (5,093 sq. mi) of rugged, thickly forested land along the Bay of Bengal that is inhabited by mountain tribes who have opposed recent Bengali settlement in the area. Chittagong's setting is picturesque: it is surrounded by the bay, the river, and hills that culminate in mountains up to 1,200 m (4,000 ft) high. Rainfall averages 2,870 mm (113 in) annually, and the average annual temperature is 26 degree C (78 degree F).

An ancient city, Chittagong passed from Tippera (Buddhist) dominance to Arakan (Hindu) and then Moghul (Muslim) rule, with periods of reconquest and recontrol. The Portuguese made inroads in the 16th century, and the British gained control in 1760.

Places to visit:

Chittagong Court BuildingCourt Building: Situated on the Fairy Hill, this building commands a magnificent bird's eye view of Chittagong city, particularly at night. This gigantic Judge Court building was built immediately after the East India Company conquered and declared Chittagong as a separate administrative area in 1773. The building is huge, over 250 thousand square feet and has hundreds of rooms.

Shrine of Bayazid Bostami: This holy shrine attracts a large number of visitors and pilgrims. At its base there is a large pond with several hundred tortoises floating in the water. According to tradition, these turtles are descendants of evil spirits (djinn) who were cast into this shape because they incurred the wrath of the great saint who visited the place about 1100 years ago.

Chandanpura MosqueChandanpura Mosque: Situated in the old city, the multi domed mosque is an architectural sight to behold.

World war II Cemetery:In this well-preserved cemetery at quiet and picturesque place lie buried over 700 soldiers from commonwealth countries and Japan.The War Cemetry is located in a hillside sloping place, in the south-western corner of Chittagong Medical College Hospital, beside the Badshah Mia Road of the city. The total area of this cemetry is eight acres, which is protected and supervised by the Common wealth Graves Commission.

Foy's LakeFoy's Lake: Set amidst panoramic surroundings, this ideal spot for outings and picnics is thronged by thousands of visitors.This Lake has been created in the natural environment in 1924 by the initiative of the then Asam-Bengal Railway. This lake has been created by building a dam based on a plan by an English nngineer Mr. Foy.

Ethnological Museum: A unique treasure house of variety of tribal culture and heritage of Bangladesh.The Ethnological Museum of Chittagong was established in the first half of nineteen sixties. The museum contains four galleries and a small hall.For more information please contract us.