Chattogram
A green, grassy shore cut by tidal channels — unlike any other beach in the country.
Guliakhali, on the coast of Sitakunda north of Chattogram, is a beach unlike any other in Bangladesh. Instead of a wide strip of sand, the shore is a flat, green carpet of grass, cut by winding tidal channels and dotted with young keora (mangrove) trees, opening out onto the sea.
The landscape changes with the tide. At high tide the sea fills the channels and laps at the grass; at low tide the water draws back and leaves shining mudflats and pools. Behind the shore rise the hills of the Sitakunda range, so in one view you have sea, meadow, mangrove and hills.
For years it was known only to locals and cattle herders. It became popular with travellers fairly recently, and it is still simple and largely undeveloped — which is much of its charm. It pairs well with a climb to Chandranath on the same trip.
Leave Chattogram at dawn to reach the foot of Chandranath before the heat.
Climb to the hilltop temple in the cool of the morning, and come down by late morning.
Rest and eat rice and fish at a local eatery in Sitakunda.
Take a CNG to the shore and walk the grassy flats until sunset, then head back.
October to March, when the grass is green and the weather dry. Check the tide: the late afternoon near high tide is the most beautiful.
Take a bus up the Dhaka–Chattogram highway to Sitakunda (about an hour), then a CNG for the last few kilometres to the shore.
