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Travel to Chittagong

Discover Chittagong

Busy, buzzing, and full of rickshaws ferrying visitors and locals alike around its crowded streets, Chittagong is a dynamic city that continually has an air of very friendly but slightly chaotic energy. Expect to be welcomed as a visitor, and you'll probably be invited to a family feast at some stage, where the main dish is a furiously hot beef curry!

The commercial heart of Chittagong has grown in recent years, with a number of tech start-ups bringing a new sense of energy into the economy. Tourists and business visitors are welcomed, and the ongoing development of the city gives it a vibrancy that is hard to resist.

The pace of life in Chittagong is fast, but this charming city also has plenty of tranquil spots where visitors can catch their breath. From manmade lakes to the natural beauty of Kattali beach with its mangrove forest, it's a city of surprises.

Essential Facts

Time/Date
Time Zone
+05:30
Language
Chittagonian (A dialect of Bengali)
Currency
Bangladeshi Taka
Electricity
220V/50Hz plug types C, D, G and K
Best Time To Visit
November to March - Average temperature 25-30°C and low rainfall

Things To Do

Hazrat Shah Sufi Amanat Khan Mausoleum

The final resting place of one of the most holy saints of Chittagong, it is a place of pilgrimage for thousands of visitors every year.

Foy's Lake

This popular beauty spot is the perfect location for a picnic . The manmade lake sits next door to the Chittagong Zoo.

Shopping

Chittagong has plenty of retail outlets, including the usual malls and department stores. However, it's also the place to buy traditional handicrafts, in particular the tribal woven fabrics of Rangamati, with designs that are unique to Bangladesh.

You'll also find Burmese handicrafts on offer at the Bara Khyang or Lama Bazaar, close to Ramu. Throughout the city you'll find stores and shops selling gold jewellery, silver and leatherwork, as well as the usual high-end retail outlets in the major malls and shopping centres.

Food And Drink

The food in Chittagong ranges from the usual and very familiar fast food outlets, to restaurants specialising in regional dishes. Be aware that the food is very spicy, and tends to be quite oily so it may take a little getting used to.

One thing to be bear in mind is that many restaurants call themselves 'hotels', but are in fact just ordinary restaurants. It can be a little confusing, but generally the food in the restaurants is of a high quality (no matter what they call themselves!). However, we do recommend that you avoid eating the green salads, as there is no way of confirming whether or not it has been properly washed before serving.

The most popular regional dish is biryani, and it comes in several variations, ranging from mild to eye-wateringly hot. There are plenty of vegetarian options on offer, too.

Things To Know

Visa Requirements

  • You'll need a passport that's valid for at least six months beyond your departure date, and a return or onward ticket, although this isn't essential. Visas are available on arrival for travelers from Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia, although you will need to check with your embassy or consulate to see if any changes have been made to the list of visa requirements. Transit visas allow you to stay in the country for a maximum of 72 hours. Full visas are available online, and usually cost around $66 for a single, and $73 for a re-entry visa.

Other Facilities

  • Medical services are very good in Chittagong, particularly at the Medical College Hospital. It is important to ensure you have medical insurance before you travel, and bear in mind that the further you are from the city, the harder it is to find medical treatment centres. The most common health issues are stomach upsets, although most pharmacists will be able to help with treatments.
  • Most ATMs around the city accept foreign cards, although there may be a charge from your card provider for using them. Cash is king in the markets and bazaars, and if you need to change money there are branches of HSBC with internal Bureau de Change outlets that offer a good exchange rate for Bangladeshi Taka.
  • The other option is the iconic yellow and green three-wheeled machines simply known as rickshaws. These are cheaper than taxis and costlier than buses.

Getting around

  • The best way to see the city is to hop into a cycle rickshaw, which are cheap, plentiful, and great fun. You can explore the city on foot, but be careful of the traffic around Jubilee Road and Station Road, which can be quite congested.
  • The cheapest way to get around is by bus. There are various companies running a multitude of routes both in the centre of the city and out into the surrounding countryside. Alternatively, you can hail a taxi, but settle on a price before you get in.