Perched on the highest crest of the Sitakunda ridge, Chandranath is one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas in Hindu tradition, revered as the site where Sati's right arm fell. The pilgrimage route climbs steep stone stairways through dense hill forest, passing several smaller shrines and resting tea stalls along the ridge. An immense crowd of pilgrims climbs the mountain each spring during the three-day Shiv Chaturdashi fair.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free entry; bus from Chattogram about ৳70–100; walking sticks at base roughly ৳30
How to get to Chandranath Temple
At Sitakunda, about 37 km north of Chattogram city. Local buses or trains from Chattogram reach Sitakunda bazar in an hour; from the base, the hilltop trail takes 1.5 to 2 hours of uphill walking.
Chattogram town is about 245 km from Dhaka, around 5 hours by road. Every way to get there is in the Chattogram guide.
The climb includes over a thousand steep, uneven stone steps; carry sufficient drinking water and avoid climbing during heavy monsoon showers when trails turn slick.
More to see in Chattogram
Photo: Moheen Reeyad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Patenga Sea Beach পতেঙ্গা সমুদ্র সৈকত
A popular coastal promenade at the mouth of the Karnaphuli River where ocean waves break against concrete sea blocks.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free entry; auto-rickshaw from city centre about ৳250–350; fried seafood snacks roughly ৳100–200
Photo: Fahad Faisal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Foy's Lake ফয়'স লেক
A historic reservoir created in 1924 by the Assam Bengal Railway, surrounded by forested hills and an amusement park.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳350 including boat ride; amusement park rides extra; auto-rickshaw from town about ৳100–150
Photo: Md. T Mahtab, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Chittagong War Cemetery চট্টগ্রাম ওয়ার সিমেট্রি
A Commonwealth war cemetery established after World War II, holding the graves of over 700 soldiers and airmen who fell in the Burma campaign.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- About an hour
- Cost
- Entry free; rickshaw from GEC Circle about ৳30–50
Photo: Moheen Reeyad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Mahamaya Lake মহামায়া হ্রদ
Bangladesh's second largest artificial lake, set in a mountain basin in Mirsharai with natural cascades and calm kayaking routes.
- Best time
- October to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳30; kayak hire about ৳200–300 per hour; boat tour to waterfall about ৳800–1,200 for up to ten people