Chattogram
A lake among the hills, built in the 1920s, with boating and an amusement park.
Foy’s Lake is a narrow, winding lake held among the low green hills of Khulshi and Pahartali, in the north-west of Chattogram city. It is not natural: the Assam Bengal Railway created it in 1924 by damming a stream between the hills, to supply water to the railway colony nearby. It takes its name from the railway engineer, Mr Foy, who is credited with the work.
For decades it was a quiet spot for picnics and walks. Today much of it is run as a recreation complex, with an amusement park, boat rides on the lake and paths along the hillsides, and it is one of the city’s favourite outings for families and young people.
Even with the rides, the setting is what stays with you: still water reflecting the hills, the lake bending out of sight around each ridge. The Chattogram Zoo is just nearby, so the two make an easy day out together.
Start at the Chattogram Zoo nearby, while the animals are active and it is still cool.
Follow the paths along the water and up to the viewpoints over the hills.
Take a boat around the bends of the lake, where the hills close in on both sides.
Head back to Khulshi or GEC for mezbani beef or kala bhuna.
October to March, when it is cool enough to walk the hills. Weekday mornings are the quietest.
In Khulshi, about 20 minutes by CNG from GEC Circle.
