A conglomeration of miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing w~ves, ra~e conch shells. colourful pagodas, Buddhist temples and tribes, delightful sea-food-this is Cox's Bazar. the tourist capital of Bangladesh. having the world's longest (120 km.) smooth, sandy, shark-free beach sloping down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal against the picturesque background of a chain of hills covered with deep forests.

Located at a distance of 152 km. south of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, one of the most attractive tourist spots in the world, is connected both by air and road from Dhaka and Chittagong. The beach is good for bathing, sunbathing and swimming. Attractive local varieties of cigars and handloom products of the Rakhyne tribal families are good buys.

Visits to the fascinating picnic spots at Himchhari. Teknaf. Buddhist Temple at Ramu and nearby island of Sonadia, St. Martin's Island, Inani Beach and Moheshkhali are memorable experiences of one's lifetime.

 

Moheshkhali

An island off the coast of Cox's Bazar, Moheshkhali has an area of 268 square km. Through the centre of the island and along the eastern coastline rises a range of low-hills, about 300 feet high. However, the coast to the west and north is fringed by mangrove forests. On the hill on the coast lies the old temple of Adinath, dedicated to Shiva. By its side on the same hill stands a Buddhist pagoda.

Ramu

This is a typical Buddhist village, about 10 km. from Cox's Bazar, on the main road to Chittagong. There are Monasteries, Khyangs and Pagodas containing images of Buddha in gold, bronze and other metals inlaid with precious stones. One of the most interesting of these temples is on the bank of the Bakhkhali river. It houses not only interesting relics and Burmese handicrafts but also a large bronze statue of Buddha measuring thirteen feet high and resting on a six-foot high pedestal.

The village has a charm of its own. Weavers carryon their trade in open workshops and craftsmen make handmade cigars in their pagoda like houses.

Sonadia Island

It is about seven km. off Cox's Bazar and about nine square km. in area. The western side of the island is sandy and different kinds of shells are found on the beach. Off the northern part of the island, there are beds of windowpane oysters. During winter, fishermen set up temporary camps on the island and dry the sea fish they
catch.

Saint Martin's Island

Forty eight km. from T eknaf St. Martin's is the country's only coral island. Named Narikel Gingira (Coconut Island) by the local, the dumb-bell shaped
St. Martin's has an area of only eight sq. km. from one to four meters above sea level during high tide.

Inani Beach

Inani is within Ukhia Thana, 35 km. to the south of Cox's Bazar and a background to steep hills to the east. There is a beach of immense blue water. It is a fascinating place for sea-bathing.

Tourist Facilities

The Cox's Bazar Holiday complex of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation is an ideal tourist home providing comfortable accommodation, catering, sightseeing and other facilities for the visitors. It has a modern star Hotel (Shaibal), three medium priced Motels, five Luxury Cottages and three restaurants. There is also a bar for the guests.

Booking may be done at the Tourist Information Centre, Cox's Bazar.

Tel: 880-341-63274, 64258, 63211, 64246 or
Central Reservation, Head Office, Dhaka

Tel: 880-2-81 17855-9/1 17, 81 19192. Fax: 880-2-8126501
E-mail: info@bangladeshtourism.gov.bd

Besides the Parjatan hotels and motels, there exist a large number of both economy and luxurious privately operated hotels.