COX’S BAZAR- the world's longest smooth sandy beach

A conglomeration of miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing waves, rare conch shells, colorful Pagodas, Buddhist Temples and tribes, delightful sea-food - this is Cox's Bazar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh, having the world's longest unbroken (120 km.) smooth, sandy, shark-free peach sloping down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal against the picturesque background of a chain of hills covered with deep forests.

Cox's Bazar is one of the most attractive tourist spots in the world. The beach is good for bathing, sun-bathing and swimming. The breath¬taking beauty of the setting-sun behind the waves of the sea is captivating. Attractive local variety of cigars and handloom products of the Rakhyne tribal families are good buys.

Located at a distance of 152 km south of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar is connected both by air and road from Dhaka and Chittagong.

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

Moheshkhali: An island off the coast of Cox's Bazar. It 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, but the coast to the west and north is low-lying treat, fringed by mangrove jungle. In the hiII on the coast lies the old temple of Adinath, dedicated to Shiva. By it side on the same hill is 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, Khyaugs 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 rests on a six feet high pedestal. The village has a charm of its own.

Weavers carry on 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 window pane oysters. During winter, fishermen set up temporary camps on the island and dry their catches of sea fish.

Saint Martin Island: Fortyeight km from Teknaf St. Martin is the country's only coral island and unspoilt paradise with friendly people. Named Narikel Gingira (coconut Island) by the local, the dumb-bell shaped St. Martin, 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 of steep-hill to the cast. Inani casts a magic spell on those who step in the streamland. There is a beach of immense blue water. It is a fascinating place for sea bathing.

Tourist facilities:

1. Government and Private hotel and holiday resorts are available with modern fascilities.

2. Secured for visit

3. Cox's Bazar is connected both by air and road from Dhaka and Chittagong.

The Cox's Bazar Holiday Complex of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation is an ideal tourist resort having comfortable accommodation, catering, sightseeing and other facilities for the visitors. It has a modern star Hotel (Shaibal), three medium priced Motels and three restaurants.

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