Chittagong Travel Guide, Bangladesh

Chittagong Travel Guide

Chittagong, the second-largest city of Bangladesh (after the capital city Dhaka) and the country’s commercial hub, is an ideal travel destination known for itscool climate and its breathtaking natural panorama. But if you think that Chittagong is just a natural paradise of rolling hills and rivers, lush forests and scenic beaches, then you are utterly mistaken, for the city boasts of rich culture and history; hence, there is a lot of sightseeing to do with the Chittagong Ethnological Museum, the Heritage Park, the Patenga Beach and the Mainamati ruins lying close by. Being the nation’s chief seaport, Chittagong also has a number of hotels, restaurants and clubs.

This Chittagong travel guide is an attempt to introduce you to this fascinating Bangladeshi-city. Read and explore the city on your own.

Chittagong Travel Guide: Statistics

Area: 185 sq km

Population: 2,579,107

Currency: Taka (BDT)

Language(s): Bangla

Chittagong Travel Guide: Architecture

Being a chief city of an Islamic nation, Chittagong has a number of mosques like Anderkilla Zame Mosque, Jamia Tul Falah Mosque, Qadam Mubarak Mosque and Shahi Jama-e-Masjid that are unique for their architectural styles. In spite of this deep religious influence, the city’s architecture is an eclectic mix of different influences and traditions; thus, you will still come across many old British and Portuguese structures like the Court Building and the Mohsin College that are reminiscent of the city’s colonial past.

Chittagong Travel Guide: Economy and Infrastructure

Chittagong is the ‘commercial’ capital of Bangladesh. As Bangladesh’s main seaport, Chittagong has long been the center of all imports and exports. But that is not all and Chittagong is where most of the nation’s industries, be it heavy, medium or light industries are based – Chittagong is the home of Bangladesh’s only steel mill and oil refinery, besides its shipbuilding industries, chemical and engineering works, leather processing units and cotton/jute mills, etc.

Speaking of infrastructure, Chittagong’s industries are powered by its very own Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Project. Chittagong is very well connected too. The city is served by an international airport, Shah Amanat International Airport that links the city to destinations like Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Dubai, Jeddah, Calcutta, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, and Sharjah. Chittagong also has important rail-links with other Bangladeshi cities. Bus-services to and from the city are also available.

As for local transportation, this is well taken care of by local bus-fleets, taxis and tricycle-structured motor vehicles, popularly known as auto-rickshaws. Cycle-rickshaws are a common sight on the Chittagong streets but you can also choose to walk.

Chittagong Travel Guide: People and Culture

Chittagong has a multi-cultural society. The majority of the people are Muslims, but you will also come across Hindus, Buddhists and even a handful of Christians. The Chittagongians speak a dialect, which is quite unlike, the Bangla language used in other parts of Bangladesh.

Chittagongians, especially the Muslims and Hindus of the not-so-affluent neighborhoods of the city are a bit conservatives when it comes to the clothes they wear or the ways they conduct themselves – alcohol consumption in public, men and women partying together, wearing revealing clothes, etc. are certainly things you will not see. In the affluent quarters, however, the picture is quite different and tourists can have their share of fun in the numerous, restaurants, hotels and clubs of Chittagong.

Overall Chittagong tourism is going to be a pleasant experience; the Chittagongians are usually quite famous for their hospitality – the massive feasts (locally known as mezbani) thrown by people belonging to the Muslim community are really something to speak about.

For more information on Chittagong, read the other sections of this Chittagong travel guide and you will definitely find something that might catch your attention.

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