Cox's Bazar

Cox's Bazar, on the southeastern coast along the Bay of Bengal, is home to what is widely claimed to be the longest natural sand beach in the world, an astonishing unbroken sweep of golden sand running for some 120 kilometres. Bangladesh's premier seaside destination, it draws vast crowds of domestic holidaymakers who come to stroll the shore, ride the gentle waves, watch spectacular sunsets over the sea and enjoy fresh seafood. Beyond the main beach lie quieter stretches, fishing villages, and excursions to islands and the surrounding coastal countryside.

History

The Chittagong region, Cox's Bazar included, was ruled by the kings of Arakan until the Mughal conquest of 1666, and the place name Dulahazara, a thousand palanquins, is said to recall the halt of Prince Shah Shuja's retinue on his way to Arakan. The town is named after Captain Hiram Cox of the East India Company, superintendent of the Palongkee outpost, who resettled Arakanese refugees here and died in 1799 before finishing the work, and a market named after him grew into the town, founded in 1854 and made a municipality in 1869; after 1947 its first chairman, Fazlul Karim, planted the tamarisk forest along the beach and set out to make it a resort (Wikipedia, Cox's Bazar).

What you'll find

• The endless beach - the record-breaking sweep of golden sand.
• The sunsets - the spectacular evenings over the Bay of Bengal.
• The fishing life - the boats and coastal villages.
• The nearby islands - the excursions along the coast.

When to go

November to March, the cool, dry season, is the best and most popular time, with pleasant weather and calm seas; the summer is very hot and the monsoon brings heavy rain and rough surf. It is busiest during Bangladeshi holidays, when domestic tourists throng the beach.

Practical notes

This is a bustling domestic resort rather than a tranquil tropical paradise, so the main beach is developed, crowded and can be littered, and its appeal is the record-breaking scale and lively local seaside atmosphere rather than pristine beauty or seclusion; women should note conservative local norms for swimwear. For a fascinating glimpse of Bangladeshi holiday life on one of the longest natural beaches on earth, with fine sunsets and seafood, though, it is a worthwhile experience.

Nearby

The coastal villages, Himchari and the far southeast are within reach.