Chittagong

Of all the places in Bangladesh, Chittagong is the most visited by people from other countries not because of its tourist attractions but because it is the main seaport of the country. Dubbed as the “Porto Grande” by the Portuguese in the 16th century, this city has always lived up to its name. Aside from the industrial appeal of this place, there are actually a lot places you can visit here if you simply wanted to take a vacation.

The weather here is the same as any town or city in the region, pleasantly cool winters and humidly warm summers. The dry season usually lasts from the month of November until March, while the rainy season begins in June and ends in October. It is advised to bring suitable clothes for whatever time of the year you plan on going and to also put on a lot of sun block.

Warm summer seasons in this city are actually welcomed since there is a long stretch of beach just near the town of Cox’s Bazar. This is considered as the longest beach in Bangladesh and even the world. There are also interesting sights to see near this beach like the surrounding islands. You can also rent out paddle boats and canoes for lake cruises. There is also a Safari trail on the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar road that serves as a sanctuary for different species of animals from elephants to tigers and monkeys.

There are also a number of historic and cultural landmarks that is sure to pique your interests. One of which is the World War II Cemetery which serves as a final resting place for over 700 soldiers who fought in the Myanmar border during the war. The Court Building Museum is also worth a visit since it captures the essence of the Independence War in Chittagong in 1971. The different tribes and diverse culture in Bangladesh can be viewed in the Etymological Museum in Agrabad. The city also has several religious attractions such as the Shrine of Shah Amanat which is always bustling with people desiring to pay respect to this saint.

It is relatively easy to get around the city as well as the neighboring cities beside it since the roads have been rehabilitated and are fully functional to drive on. There are also rent-a-car services available for places like Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati and other places that have tourist attractions. The city is also connected via a train system and domestic flights to Dhaka and Kolkata.