With a picturesque hinterland of large hill forests and lakes Chittagong, the second
largest
city of Bangladesh and a busy international seaport, is a good vacation spot. Its
find
harbor, green hills forests and sea beaches and soothing sun shine attract holiday
makers to
swim in the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, bask in the sun, fish in the lakes and
rivers
and shoot with camera in the game filled forests. Described by the Chinese poet
Traveer
Hiuan Tsang (7th century A.D.) as "a sleeping beauty emerging from mist and water"
and given
nickname of Porte Grande (Grand Port) by the 16th century Portuguese seafarers,
Chittagong
remains true to both descriptions even to day. It combines the humming of a restless
seaport
with the pleasure of a hill town. Chittagong is the country's chief port & is the
main site
for the established of heavy, medium and light industries. Bangladesh's only steel
mill and
oil refinery are also located in Chittagong.
Court Building Museum
Situated on the fairy Hill, this building commands a magnificent
bird's
eye view of Chittagong. This had been the scene of intense activity during the
Independence War in 1971. A museum has been established here.
Hazrat Sultan Bayezid Bostami
The famous Chilla of Hazrat Sultan Bayezid Bostami is situated on a low
hillock at Nasirabad, to the extreme north of the city. He was born in 777
A.D. at Bostan in Iran. He came to Indian and it is said that he visited
Chittagong. There is no mazar of the saint in the shrine. It is an astana
and chilla associated with the name of the great saint. A mosque built
during the region of Emperor Aurangazeb stands on the bank of a big tank at
the foot of the hillock on which the shrine is situated. There are several
hundred tortoises in the tank. Tradition has it that these animals are evil
spirits (Djinns) who were cast into this shape because they incurred the
wrath of the great saint who visited the place about 1.100 years ago.
Hazrat Badar Aulia
The shrine of this illustrious saint is at Boxihat in the Chaittagong
town on the badar pati road. There is a great controversy about the
identity of Hazrat Badar Aulia. There are serveval places in Bangladesh,
which are associated with the name of pir Badar and where exists either
a dargah or a tomp. A tradition connects him with the spread of islam in
Chittagong and the people refer to him by different names, such as Badar
Alam, Badar Mokam, Badar pir and Badar Aulia.
Foy's Lake (Pahartali lake)
Set amidst picturesque surroundings in the railway town-ship of
Pahartali 8 km. From Chittagong, this is an ideal spot for outing and
picnic thronged by thousands of visitors every week. The lake is
surrounded by green hills and provides a serene environment for nature
lovers.
Rangamati & Kaptai Lake
The town-ship, the focal point of Rangamati Hill District is located on the
western
bank of the Kaptai lake. Rangamati is a favorite holiday resort because of
its
beautiful landscape, scenic beauty, its flora and fauna. Built in early
sixties
Kaptai Dam and the lake are the main attractions of Kaptai. Enjoy boating on
the
Kaptai Lake while you go to Rangamati tour.
Gandhi Asram
Situated about 23 km. north-west of Choumuhani town and 2 km.
east of
Chatkhil at Jayag in Noakhail district. This asram was established in the memory
of
historic visit of the Mahatma Gandhi to Noakhali and devoted to his ideology. In
1946-47
Mahatma visited this region with a view to preach peach.
The Dargah of Hazrat Shah Amanat
The dargah Sharif of Hazrat Shah Sufi Amanat Shah lies to the
central
jail and east of the Laldighi. He flourished during the later part of the 18th
and early
part of 19th century. For a pretty long time he concealed his spiritual
attainments by
serving as a peon in the judge's Count, Chittagong.
Qadam Mubarak Masjid
This is an old mosque in the Rahmatgonj area of Chittagong. It
was built
1336 A.D derives its name from a slab which is said to bear the footprint of the
Holy
prophet of Islam.
Shahi Jame Masjid
Located in the town, this ancient mosque was built in 1670 A.D
after
Nawab Shaista Khan. Then the Governor of Bengal. It occupies a whole hilltop and
resembles a fort. Hence the locality is known as Anderkilla, meaning the fort
area.
World War ii Cemetery
Second World War warrior's graveyards are in this Cemetery. There
are 755
graves of soldiers from British, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, Myanmar,
East
and West Africa, The Netherlands and Japan who laid down their lives on the
Myanmar
front during the World War II.
Portuguese Arsenal
Situated on one of Chittagong's highest hills, the building which
now
houses the Islamic Intermediate College is no less than 300 years old. The main
building
was constructed by the Portuguese in the 17th century and used by them as an
arsenal. It
still has an underground chamber with a tunnel and trap doors.
The Cadet College
Located on a 250 acre site at Fouzdarhat, about 16 kilometres
from
Chittagong Railway station, this modern institution provides general education
and
military training.
Sitakunda
Famous among the many temples in this place are the Chandranath
Temple
and the Buddhist temple. In the vicinity there is an also hot spring.
Siva-Chaturdeshi
festival is held every year in February when thousands of pilgrims assemble for
the
celebrations.
Chittagong Hill Tracts
The Chittagong Hill Tracts have steep jungle hills, Buddhist
tribal
peoples and relatively low-density population. The region comprises a mass of
hills,
ravines and cliffs covered with dense jungle, bamboo, creepers and shrubs.
Rangamati,
belonging to the Chakma tribe, is open to visitors, as is Kaptai Lake.
Other Historical & Notable Spots:
The Dargah of Hazrat Shah Amanat: Located
central
jail and east of Laldighi. Flourished during the 18th-19th century.
Qadam Mubarak Masjid: Built in 1336 A.D.
Derives its
name from a footprint of the Holy prophet.
Shahi Jame Masjid: Ancient mosque built in
1670 A.D
by Nawab Shaista Khan at Anderkilla.
Patenga Sea Beach: 22 km from Chittagong.
Major
attraction for boating and river cruises in Karnaphuli.
Ethnological Museum: Treasure-house of
tribal
cultures in Agrabad, best in South East Asia.
Bandarban & Khagrachari: Home to Chimbuk
Hill (3000
ft) and the mysterious Alutila Cave.
Portuguese Arsenal: 300-year-old building
used by
the Portuguese in the 17th century.
