Destinations in Bangladesh – the southeast. About elephants, beach, islands and ship breaking yards.

The second largest city in the country, with its population of just under 7 million and the most important overseas port, was once called the “sleeping beauty of mists and waters”. The surrounding area is at least as spectacular as the second-largest city in the country today is more a special economic zone, the largest seaport in the country and one of the fastest growing cities on the planet. Chittagong’s history dates back more than a thousand years. Arabs founded a trading post and port already in the 9th century. It was visited by many historical world travelers such as Ibn Battuta and Niccolo De Conti as well as the Chinese Emperor’s fleet.
In the fishing port, a new cutter diesel and the ship breaking yards on our YouTube channel
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• Ship breaking yards – they are among the largest in the world. Spectacular insights into the slow death of ocean giants. Visits within the shipyards are no longer possible!
• Fish Market – between five and ten fish of all kinds are sold and bought here. If you are not afraid of mud on your feet, you will have fun! Currently right on Karnaphuli.
• Fishery Ghat (Mariners Park) – the traditional ships of the fishermen, the patching of the nets, the ship building directly on the banks of the Karnaphuli fascinate.
• Headquarter of the BD-Railway – visually spectacular (British Raj 1865) with the first steam locomotive in Bengal. As a state enterprise, ask the security guard beforehand and go for a walk in the area!
• Old Trainstation – also the one from the phase of the British Raj of 1865. Is located directly in front of the new main station. Worth seeing!
• Commonwealth War Cemetery – the military cemetery. Chittagong was of some strategic interest in World War II. Accordingly, troops were stationed here.
• Patenga Sea Beach – you can do it if you don’t plan a beach. Chittagong’s city beach offers one thing above all: nags of all kinds.
• Ethnological museum – if a bit old, it is recommended to represent many museums in Chittagong.
• Church of the Immaculate Conception – founded in 1601 by the Portuguese, nothing reminds of the construction of over 400 years ago. Father Jerome is looking forward to you.
• Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary – the current church building of Our Lady of the Rosary was built in 1843 and is the episcopal church of the Archdiocese of Chittagong.

150 km south of Chittagong, near the small town of Cox’s Bazar, stretches with 125 km the longest natural beach in the world. The longest well-known, which does not say anything about its beauty. Endless beach hikes are only interrupted by swimming in the sea, sunbathing and enjoying excellent seafood in the beach restaurants. Cox’s Bazar could well be called the international Bangladesh. Here you can “paint the town red” provided that you are in one of the international (means better, bigger, more expensive) hotels/resorts. From party, drinks, pool, jet-ski, surfing, speed boat to parasailing everything is possible.
From Cox's Bazaar to Moheshkhali Island and on Moheshkhali Island - the Shrine of Adinath on our YouTube channel
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• Fish market – not on Friday, the rest of the week at the early morning – it’s certainly the best time.
• Beach market – mussels with (your) name and other nonsense of all kinds. This mostly from Myanmar or China. Nevertheless a quite funny experience.
• Moheshkhali Island – 268 km² of marshland covered with mangroves. In the hills of the island is embedded the Siva dedicated Shrine of Adinath and a pagoda.
• Sonadia Island – a 9 km² small island. The fishermen like to dry their catch in the winter, otherwise there’s nothing there.
• Himchari National Park – owns National Park status!? However – from its hilltops you have a very nice view over the beach.
• Beach – it’s said to be the longest natural beach in the world (125 km). The best way to get an impression is in the sections of Inani- and Himchari-Beach.
• Teknaf – the southernmost point of the country is rather a transit stop on the way to St. Martin. The fields of the sea salt production and the small town are worth a visit.
• Teknaf Game Preserve – the only game reserve in Bangladesh. The last free-living elephants are to be observed on 11,615 ha of subtropical jungle.

The only coral island in the country can be reached by ferry from Teknaf (3h). Please do not expect taxis, tarred roads or electricity (usually only for 4 hours in the evening). The island consists only of a small settlement, sun, sea and palm trees. 250 years ago Arabian sailors founded the first settlement here. The largest part of the approximately 5,500 islanders lives from fishing and trade. Let the soul dangle, here there is nothing that could disturb and thereby serves St. Martin any tropical stereotype. Sandy beaches, coconut palms, turtles, corals (some of these only here) and – depending on the season and the weather – azure water.
From St. Martins Island to Teknaf on our YouTube channel
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• Island hike & Chera Deep – a round trip, of course on foot – 8 km² at low tide, 5 km² at high tide. The mini-island Chera Deep can be visited on this occasion.
• Sea turtle project – nothing great, but an admirable example of personal commitment of a few.
• Boat trip – round St. Martin by boat and Chera Deep visit, also a possibility.
• Swimming – Sunbathing is not a problem, with the sea it is there a bit more difficult. There is an official and 2 other coral-free bathing spots.
• Diving/Snorkeling – depending on tides, weather or season. There are people who catch on this occasion their dinner, lobsters!