Things to do in Chittagong
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Karnaphuli River
An unusual adventure is to head out onto the Karnaphuli River, close to the airport, where you'll be blown away by the massive number of equally massive ships riding at anchor in this deep-water channel. To get here take a baby taxi (mini auto-rickshaw; with bargaining you might get it down to Tk 200 return) along the river in the direction of the airport.
Just before you reach the junction turning away from the river and leading immediately to the airport, you will see a small jetty with little wooden boats moored up. Ask here about renting one for an hour or so to explore - Tk 200 should suffice for a small boat.
Be warned that this is a working port and there is also a…
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Fairy Hill
Fairy Hill is said to be named for the fairies and genies that were believed to occupy it when the Sufi saint Badar Shah first came to Chittagong. Legend says that he made a number of requests to the fairies before they would allow him to build a place of worship.
It's behind the main post office and New Market - climb the path leading off Jubilee Rd just north of the pedestrian bridge near New Market. Ask directions for the High Court, the building on top of the hill - Fairy Hill was the common name during the Raj era and is rapidly being forgotten.
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Chilla of Badar Shah
The Chilla of Badar Shah derives its name from a Sufi (ascetic Muslim mystic) who came to Chittagong in 1336. It is a modest-sized place with a courtyard and worship area built around the grave of Badar Shah, and is within walking distance from the Shahi-Jama-e-Masjid. There are several mazars (graves) in the area, so make sure you're directed to the right one - ask for 'Badar Shah Chilla'.
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Shahi Jama-e-Masjid
Shahi Jama-e-Masjid, in Anderkilla (inner fort), was built in 1670 on a hillock and hence looks a bit like a fort. The mosque has a tall minaret, Saracenic or Turkish in design, which looms up out of the shops that have since surrounded it. In the early 1950s it was greatly enlarged and most of its original features altered, though a number of original inscriptions are still embedded in the walls.
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Ethnological Museum
There is little to see in Agrabad, the modern commercial section. The interesting Ethnological Museum has displays on Bangladesh’s tribal people. Unfortunately, it isn’t always open when it should be. Some of the exhibits are looking a bit tattered, but it covers all the major tribal groups of the nearby Chittagong Hill Tracts.
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Zia Memorial Museum
The Zia Memorial Museum is housed in an interesting mock-Tudor mansion. Among its much-revered collection is the microphone and transmitter with which President Zia proclaimed the country’s independence in 1971, and you can see the blood-stained and bullet-damaged wall at the foot of the stairs where Zia was shot.
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WWII Memorial Cemetery
The tear-inducing WWII Memorial Cemetery contains the graves of hundreds of soldiers from both Allied and Japanese forces who died on the Burma front. Most are inscribed with simple and powerful epitaphs of loss and love. The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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Bonanza Food Plus
You certainly won’t get sloppy dhal and stringy chicken at this sophisticated but well-priced restaurant. Many consider it to be the finest eating establishment in the city and it is, without doubt, the place to experience everything good about Bangladeshi food.
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Hotel Sonali
Hordes of local students and workers enjoy the chance to eat for next to nothing in a place that, with its funky paint job and terrace seating, inspires lingering meals and lasting conversations. A rare find indeed in the world of cheap restaurants.
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The Crystal Lounge & Restaurant
Sleek, modern and fashionable, you will feel like you’re in the city when you eat here. Meals are mainly Western based with lots of pasta and steaks, but there are also filling sandwiches, delicious fruit smoothies and some Thai treats.
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Well Food Centre
A modern complex of different restaurants in an airport-sterile environment. The ‘Western meals’ aren’t really anything of the sort but the downstairs snacks are perfect for a light lunch.
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Chandanpura Mosque
The Chandanpura Mosque is north of the city centre on the road to Kaptai, near Dewan Bazar. It has no historical importance but is an attractive sight with its flamboyant design.
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Qadam Mubarak Mosque
Built in 1719 in the Rahmatganj area, the late-Mughal Qadam Mubarak Mosque derives its name from a slab that bears an impression of the Prophet's foot (mubarak).
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Hotel Zaman
Ignore the misleading name; this isn’t a place to sleep but rather a place to indulge in sensational Bangladeshi food in a classy but comfortable atmosphere.
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Sayeman
There are two Sayeman restaurants across the road from each other. One specialises in rich Mughali cuisine, the other in fiery Thai dishes.
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Hotel & Restaurant Azad
There are many rock-bottom-price eating establishments on Station Rd, but this is one of the cleaner and brighter places. Biryani is the speciality.
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DC Hill
Atop DC Hill is the district commissioner's residence, but the surrounding area is open to the public. It is a pleasant place with many old trees.
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New Madina
Full of character, this is the friendliest and tastiest of several similar hole-in-the-wall establishments.
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Marine Fisheries Academy
The Marine Fisheries Academy is housed in a new building with a small museum.
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