BY- S M MUJAHIDUL ALAM DEPUTY MANAGER BANGLADESH PARJATAN CORPORATION FORMER HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL AND TOURISM, NHTTI

1. COX BAZAR
TGTA/DTM

2. HISTORY OF COX BAZAR
The Mughal period:
The history of Cox's Bazar begins in the Mughal period. On his way to
Arakan, when the Mughal Prince Shah Shuja passed through the hilly
terrain of the present day Cox’s Bazar, he was attracted to the scenic and
captivating beauty of the place. He commanded his forces to camp there.
His retinue of one thousand palanquins halted there for some time. A
place named Dulahazara, meaning "one thousand palanquins", still exists
in the area. After the Mughals, the place came under the control of the
Tipras and the Arakanese, followed by the Portuguese and then the
British.

3. East India Company:
The name Cox's Bazar was originated from the name of a British East India
Company officer, Captain Hiram Cox who was appointed as the
Superintendent of Palonki (today's Cox's Bazar) outpost after Warren
Hastings became the Governor of Bengal following the British East India
Company Act in 1773. Captain Cox was specially mobilized to deal with a
century long conflict between Arakan refugees & local Rakhains at Palonki.
The Captain made significant progress in rehabilitation of refugees in the
area, but had died (in 1799) before he could finish his work. To
commemorate his role in rehabilitation work a market / bazaar was
established and was named after him as Cox's Bazaar (market of Cox). He
had established a colony of Mogh who sought shelter in British territory
after the conquest of Arakan by the Burmese two third of the population
of the town are descendants of these refugees.
HISTORY OF COX BAZAR

4. Administrative History:
Cox's Bazar thana was first established in 1854 and a municipality was
constituted in 1869. It was made district in 1984. Among the inhabitants of the
area, there are Muslims & Hindus and the Buddhist immigrants of Burmise -
Arakanese origin. Buddhist tribal people known as Maghs are an important
and fascinating section of the population. They are unassuming people
attached deeply to their own culture and way of life.
After the end of British rule in 1947, Cox's Bazar remained as a part of East
Pakistan. Captain Advocate Fazlul Karim, the first Chairman (after
independence from the British) of Cox's Bazar municipality established the
Tamarisk Forest along the beach to draw tourist attention in this town and also
to protect the beach from tidal waves. He also donated the pieces of land
required for establishing a Public Library and Town Hall. In 1959 the
municipality was turned into a town committee. In 1961 the erstwhile
Geological Survey of Pakistan initiated investigation of radioactive minerals
like monazite around the cox's bazar sea-beach area and a number of precious
heavy minerals were identified the same year.
HISTORY OF COX BAZAR

5. In 1971, Cox's bazar wharf was used as a naval port by the Pakistan Navy's
gunboats. This and the nearby airstrip of the Pakistan Air Force was the scene
of intense shelling by the Indian Navy during Bangladesh Liberation War.
During the war, Pakistani soldiers killed many people in the town including
eminent lawyer Jnanendralal Chowdhury. The killing of two freedom fighters
named Farhad and Subhash at Badar Mokam area is also recorded in history.
After the independence of Bangladesh Cox's Bazar started to get the
administrative attention. In 1972 the town committee of Cox's Bazar was again
turned into a municipality. In 1975, The Government of Bangladesh
established a pilot plant at Kalatali, Cox's Bazar to assess the commercial
viability of the heavy mineral content in the placer deposits of the area with
the cooperation of the Australian Government. In April 2007 Bangladesh got
connected to the submarine cable network as a member of the SEA-ME-WE-4
Consortium, as Cox's Bazar was selected as the landing station of the
submarine cable.
HISTORY OF COX BAZAR

6. There are eight
Upzillas, namely,
Cox's Bazar Sadar
Ramu
Ukhia
Teknaf
Moheshkhali
Kutubdia
Chokoria
Pekua

7. Climate in Cox's Bazar
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avg high
temperat
ure (°F)
80° 83° 87° 90° 91° 87° 86° 86° 87° 87° 85° 80°
Avg low
temperat
ure (°F)
57° 61° 68° 75° 78° 77° 81° 77° 77° 75° 67° 60°
Average
Precipita
tion
(inches)
0.1" 0.5" 1.5" 4.2" 12.7" 31.1" 35.5" 27.8" 15.3" 7.2" 3.3" 1.0"
Geography and Climate

8. Cox's Bazar district with an area of 2491.86 sq km, is located at
21°35′0″N, 92°01′0″E and bounded by Chittagong district on the
north, Bay of Bengal in the South, Bandarban district on the east,
and the Bay of Bengal on the west. Major rivers include
matamuhuri, bakkhali, Reju Khal, Naf, Maheshkhali channel and
Kutubdia channel. The official area of the city of Cox's Bazar is 6.85
sq km with 27 mahallas and 9 wards and has a population of
51,918. Cox's Bazar is connected by road, rail, and air with
Chittagong.
The annual average temperature in Cox's Bazar remains at about a
maximum of 34.8 °C and a minimum of 16.1 °C. The climate
remains hot and humid with some seasons of temperate weather.
The average amount of rainfall remains at 4285 mm.
Geography and Climate

9. Economy and development
As a most beautiful and famous tourist spot of Bangladesh, the major source
of economy of Cox's Bazar is tourism. Millions of foreigners and Bangladeshi
natives visit this coastal city every year. Therefore, a number of hotel,
guesthouse, and motel have been built in the city and coastal region.
Many people are involved in these hospitality and customer service type
business. A number of people are also involved in fishing and collecting
seafood and sea products for their livelihood.
Out of several sea products various kinds of Oyster, Snail, Pearl and their
ornaments are very popular to tourists in the seaside and city stores. A
number of people are also involved in the transportation business for tourists.
Cox's Bazar is also one of the few major spots for aquaculture in Bangladesh.
Along with Khulna, it is considered as a major source of foreign exchange
earning of the country from this sector. Besides, a mix of small-scale
agriculture, marine and inland fishing and salt production are other industrial
sources from this region that plays important role in the national economy.

10. Places of tourist attraction - Cox's Bazar
Human mind is always being changed. For this reason now a days most of
the travelers don’t want to visit famous towns living at luxurious hotels.
Now they prefer to visit natural area to enjoy their holiday or vacations.
Cox’s Bazar is the place where you can get similarly both.
Miles of golden sands towering cliffs, pagodas, Buddhist temples and
tribes, delightful seafood this is Cox's Bazar, the tourist capital of
Bangladesh. Having the world's longest (120-km) beach slopping gently
down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. Cox's Bazar is one of the
most attractive tourist spots in the country. Cox's Bazar is one of the most
attractive tourist spots & the longest sea beach in the world (approx. 120
km long). If you like, you will get Variety of water related adventure or
relax and enjoy the scenery. For shopping there are Handicraft Villages,
Burmese Stores, Pearl village etc. in seashore area in Cox's Bazar town.
•

11. Places of tourist attraction - Cox's Bazar
Since the rise and fall of the tide here is not great, it is a good place for
sea bathing. The warm shark free waters are good for bathing and
swimming & while the sandy beaches offer opportunities for sunbathing.
The beauty of the setting-sun behind the waves of the sea is simply
captivating. Locally made cigars and handloom products of the tribal
Rakhyne families are good buys.
Every year lots of foreign & local tourist come here to spend their leisure
in Cox’s Bazaar. Though the season is in winter but Cox's Bazar sea beach is
crowded almost through out the year. Especially in winter season, it is
hard to get an accommodation in the hotels if booking is not made earlier.
If you are really adventurous and want to enjoy the wildness and madness
of the ruff and tuff Sea you can come to Cox's Bazar in the month of mid
April, Sea continue its wildness till August; and its even more exotic if you
come to Cox's Bazar in the time of depression of the Sea.

12. Tourists and accommodation
As a most beautiful and famous tourist spot of Bangladesh, the major
source of economy of Cox's Bazar is tourism. Millions of foreigners and
Bangladeshis visit this coastal city every year. A number of hotels,
guesthouses, and motels have been built in the city and coastal region.
Many people are involved in these hospitality and customer service
business. A number of people are also involved in fishing, collecting
seafood and sea products for their livelihood. Of several sea products
various kinds of oyster, snail, pearl and their ornaments are very popular
to tourists. Besides, a mix of small-scale agriculture, marine and inland
fishing and salt production are other industrial sources from this region
that plays important role in the national economy.

13. Cox's Bazar is visited by a large number of tourists from Britain, America, Korea,
Japan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Australia, Netherlands, Germany and many more
countries each year. Though there is no specific record in Bangladesh Parjatan
Corporation (BPC) on how many people usually visit Cox's Bazar each year but an
AFP report says that during the winter 25,000 available rooms in the beach area
hotels usually remain occupied almost seven days a week. Local hotels arrange
beachside accessories for the tourists at Cox's Bazar. Accommodation near the
beach varies from an expensive range to a reasonable price. Many private hotels,
BPC Motels and two Five Star hotels are located near the beach. Beside these
there are many three star hotels in Cox's Bazar. The hotels were excellent in terms
of atmosphere and service. One could hear the roar of the bay from the hotel.
Mind will fill with ecstasy. Most of the time tourists passed in the beach and
enjoyed the sunset. The pleasure they got knew know bounds. The Cox's Bazar sea
beach is the longest in the world. Some arrangements are there to have rest and
to bask after bathing in the water. Speedboats are also seen in the beach water
and are available to the people. Some ornaments made of sea gathered coral
substances are sold at a low price. Burmese made pickles can also be bought for a
reasonable price. And completion of carpeting will make the journey comfortable
and minimize the time and thus the tourists will rush to see the place with great
zeal.
Tourists and accommodation

14. Cox's Bazar, mostly famous for its
beautiful sea beach and the sunset,
has several other attractions,
including:
Cox's Bazar, mostly famous for its
beautiful sea beach and the
sunset, has several other
attractions, including:
Laboni Beach: This is the main
beach of Cox's Bazar and is
considered the main beach due to
the fact that it is closest to the
town. Close to the beach, there
are hundreds of small shops selling
souvenirs and beach accessories to
the tourists.

15. Himchari: Located about 18 km south of Cox's
Bazar along the sea beach, is a nice place for the
picnic and film shooting. This picnic spot is
famous for its waterfalls. The road to Himchari
runs by the open sea on one side and hills on
the other, which makes the journey to Himchari
very attractive. It is a continuation of the beach
with background of palms and bamboo's. The
famous "Broken hill" is a rare sight. Angling in
the streams and ponds in the adjoining valley
provides a lot of fun and excitement another
charms is the "Christmas trees". The distance
between the grounds to the hilltop is about 220
feet. The ascending to the hilltop is uphill but
nobody, not even children, misses it to go up
there to see the beach. But the route to
Himchari is not as smooth as expected. Some
portions of the route have not been developed
into a road. This is why tourists elect to hire
Moon's Car that plies through the beach slant.
The concerned authorities should take
immediate steps to carpet the route to attract
more tourists.

16. Inani Beach: Located 35 km south
of Cox's Bazar and 22 kms through
marine drive, this white sandy
beach is located within Ukhia
Thana. Inani Beach is considered
the world's longest and widest
beach. It's 180m at the narrowest
at high tide and 300m at low tide.
This beach is famous for its golden
sand and cleans shark free water,
which is ideal for sea bathing. Most
tourists prefer to come down here
for relaxing because it is free from
the crowd of tourists that is usually
seen at the Laboni beach. It is only
half an hour's drive from Cox's
bazaar and an ideal place for
hunting and picnic.

17. Places of interest along the beach:
The evergreen and semi-evergreen tropical rainforest bordering this
stretch of beach is still some of the best in the country. Malumghat,
an hour north of Cox's Bazar, is well known for the Baptist
missionary hospital. Ramu, 14 km east of Cox's bazar, is noted for
her Buddhist Khyangs.The interesting Burmese Bara Khyang, 50 km
northeast in the Hill Tracts, in Lama Bazar has the country's largest
bronze statue of Buddha.
Though the beaches are the main attraction of the town, larger
hotels provide exclusive beachside area with accessories for the
hotel guests. Other than the beach there are several places of
interest near the town, which can easily be visited from town
center. Cox's Bazar is connected both by air and road from Dhaka
and Chittagong.

18. Aggmeda Khyang: a large
Buddhist monastery, and a
place revered by around
400,000 Buddhist people of
Cox's Bazar; and the
Chittagong Hill Tracts. The
main sanctuary is posted on a
series of round timber
columns. It has a prayer
chamber and an assembly hall
along with a repository of a
large of small bronze Buddha
images and a number of old
manuscripts. The main
sanctuary is posted on a
series of round timber
columns.

19. Ramu: This is a typical Buddhist village,
about 10 km from Cox's Bazar, is a village
with sizeable Buddhist population. The
village is famous for its handicrafts and
homemade cigars. There are
monasteries, khyangs 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 Bakkhali River. It houses not
only interesting relics and Burmes
handicrafts but also a large bronze statue
of Buddha measuring thirteen feet high
and rests on a six feet high pedestal. The
wood carving of this khyang is very
delicate and refined. The village has a
charm of its own. Weavers ply their
trade in open workshops and craftsmen
make handmade cigars in their pagoda
like houses.

20. Other tourist attractions near Cox's Bazar
Maheshkhali:
10 kilometers by speedboat to the north west of Cox's Bazar and standing
on a hill is the Moheskhali Island. This is a small island (268 square
kilometres) off the Cox's Bazar coast. The island offers panoramic scenic
beauty and is covered by a range of low hills, about 300 feet (91 m) high,
stretches through the center of the island and along its eastern coastline.
The coasts of the island on the west and north form a low-lying tract that
is fringed by the mangrove forests. Adinath, a temple of Shiva, and a
Buddhist pagoda are also located on this island. Adinath temple is a 165
years old temple. With the interesting history of its discovery, it is a most
attractive spot especially during the festive month of falgoon (march-April)
when sea fishing near the Moheskhali Island is a rewarding experience.

21. Sonadia Island:
Just opposite across Cox's Bazar, this island is a
paradise of migratory birds like petrel, geese, ducks,
curlew, spine, reshank, lapwing, whim bird and other
birds and water fowls. The western side of the beach
is sandy and different kinds of shells are found on the
beach. This is a small crescent shaped island of only 9
square kilometers; it is 7-km northwest of Cox's Bazar.
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
windowpane oysters. During winter, fisherman set up
temporary camps on the island and dries their
catches of sea fish. Sonadia Island supports the last
remaining part of mangrove forest in southeast
Bangladesh. Sonadia's mangroves are distinct from
the well-known sunderbans, due to their
development in a coastal lagoon setting rather than in
a delta. Another attraction of this island is the sight of
game birds migrating here in great numbers during
the winter seasons.

22. Dulhazra Safari Park:
This safari park is an extension of
an animal sanctuary located along
the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar road
about 50 km from Cox's Bazar
town. The sanctuary itself protects
a large number of wild elephants,
which are native to the area. In the
safari park there are domesticated
elephants, which are available for a
ride. Other animal attractions
include lions, Bengal tigers,
Crocodiles, Bears, Chitals and lots
of different types of birds and
monkey.

23. Other tourist attractions near Cox's Bazar
Teknaf:
A place situated by the side of Naf River is the southernmost part of mainland Bangladesh.
This also marks the end point of Cox's Bazar beach. Tourists usually come here to have a river
cruise along beautiful Naf River, which flows between Bangladesh and Myanmar. 80
kilometers south of Cox's Bazar is a pleasure spot on the West Bank of Naf River. A small
town, it has arrangements for picnic hunting and boating. A trip by jeep to Teknaf from Cox's
Bazar at dawn is a rare experience.
Whykong
Whykong is about 39 kilometers to the north of Teknaf and 53 kilometers to the southeast of
Cox's Bazar. There is a forest Bunglow on a small hillock commanding a fine view of the Naf,
the Parret Island and majestic hill range of the Arakan beyond. This is an ideal place for
hunting Shiker of all kinds.
St. Martin's Island
13 kilometers south west of the southern tip of the mainland, is a small coral island being
fringed with coconut palms, varieties of rare seashell, lime stones corals, and marine life like
flying fishes, dolphins and sea tortoises.