Cox's
Bazaar is the most popular tourist destination of Bangladesh.
It became a district in the Chittagong Division in the
year 1984. The Cox's Bazaar town serves as the district
headquarters. The cross-section of people comprises
of this place. This town is 150 kms south east of Chittagong
and is about 400 kms from the capital Dhaka. Cox's Bazaar
is famed as the longest undivided beach in the world,
about 120 kms in length, the mud flats included. Cox's
Bazaar also serves as a fishing port.
Earlier
Cox's Bazaar was known as Panowa, which means a yellow
flower. It was also known as Palongkee. It derives its
present name from Lieutenant Cox, who served in the
British Army and died in 1798, and who provided shelter
to maghs, who were running away from the army of Burma
in the 18th century
The
Mughals occupied Cox's Bazaar for a considerable length
of time and it came under the control of Tipras and
Arakanese after the Mughals. Thereafter the Portuguese
took control of this area and then the British retained
it till the independence of India in 1947. After 1947,
and the partition of India, Cox's Bazaar became a part
of East Pakistan. When East Pakistan fought against
the government of West Pakistan, the wharf at Cox's
Bazaar was used as a port by the Pakistan Army and that,
along with the air-strip nearby was repeated shelled
by the Indian Air Force. Thus now, it is a part of the
Republic of Bangladesh.
Though
the main attraction of Cox's Bazaar is the sea and the
beach, however there are many quaint and interesting
places to visit in and around Cox's Bazaar.
Himchari is about 18 kms south of Cox's Bazaar and has
beautiful waterfalls. The road leading to Himchari is
very picturesque with the hills on one side of the road
and the sea on the other. A beautiful beach surrounded
by coconut trees is the Inani Beach, in the Ukhia Thana,
which, is 32 kms south of Cox's Bazaar. It has coral
borders.
Aggmeda
Khyang is a very important Buddhist Monastery. Laboni
beach is the main beach of Cox's Bazaar as it is nearest
to the town. There is a small island called Maheshkhali,
near the coastline. It is very picturesque with small
hills and mangrove forests. There is also a temple of
Adinath or Lord Shiva here as well as a Buddhist Pagoda.
Incidentally, Buddhism has a very strong influence here
in this region that is Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts
and adjoining areas.
Teknaf
is a small hamlet situated near the Naaf River. The
other side of the river is Myanmar. This is the southernmost
part of Bangladesh and home to a variety of fauna. Ramu
is also a small hamlet, about 16 kilometers from Cox's
Bazaar. It is known for its handicrafts and hand made
cigars of the tribal Rakhyne community
Places
to stay in Cox's Bazaar are hotels like Seagull, Hotel
Sea Place etc. Bangladesh Tourism has also put up Parjatan
Motels here.
Two
to three flights Biman, Bangladesh Airlines operate
from Dhaka and Chittagong to Cox's Bazaar. Regular Coach
Service from Chittagong, however is a better alternative.
Cox's
Bazar again came to the lime light by competing as a
natural wonders of the world. 121 KM lengthy this sandy
sea beach is the longest and least-crowded beaches of
the world. Still now most part of this beach is virgin,
did not captured totally by commercialization. However
the Cox's Bazar is most desired tourist spot for all
Bangladeshi. Nowadays based beach the urbanization is
increasing. World class exotic hotels, motels and resorts
have been established. But the local people still now
poor living by finishing, agriculture and tourism based
small entrepreneurship. The hotel investment mostly
comes from outside of the district, majority owners
are from Dhaka and Chittagong as complete business men.
Because
of tourism here the market price here high compare to
other places of Bangladesh. The communication from Dhaka
and Chittagong here good. There luxurious bus and local
airline services. "Saudia Aslam' is the latest
addition of 'Marcity Benz' bus server. But the global
standard beach cultural practices and living environment
have not yet been well accepted by the local people
because of illiteracy and conservative practices. With
the governmental patronization the Cox's Bazar can be
more attractive tourist spot. The months of September
and October are best seasons to enjoy the sunset.
Note: Cox's Bazar is located 150 km south of Chittagong,
is also known by the name "Panowa", the literal
translation of which means "yellow flower".
Its other old name was "Palongkee". The modern
Cox's Bazar derives its name from Captain Cox (died
1798), an army officer serving in British India. Because
of climate change, sea level rising and salinity increasing,
the city and beach now environmentally under threat.
