Essentials
- City
- Chittagong (Chattogram), Chattogram Division, Bangladesh
- Population
- Approximately 5,500,000
- Internet Speed
- Broadband: 20-50 Mbps (approx. $15/mo), 4G: 10-15 Mbps via Banglalink or Grameenphone
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 110 BDT, 1 EUR ≈ 119 BDT. ATMs are common, but cash is king.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use bottled water (e.g., Mum or Fresh, 25 BDT per 1L) or RO filters.
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C, D, and G sockets; frequent load-shedding requires power banks/UPS.
- SIM Card
- Grameenphone or Robi; available at Shah Amanat International Airport with passport/photo ($5 for 20GB).
- Banking for Expats
- Standard Chartered, HSBC, and City Bank (AMEX) are the most reliable for international cards.
- Accommodation
- Business hotels (Radisson Blu), serviced apartments in Khulshi, or Airbnb ($30-$80/night).
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited; accepted at high-end hotels, supermarkets (Meena Bazar), and via bKash mobile app.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local agencies like Bproperty; Khulshi and Nasirabad areas are preferred.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel White Inn ($25/night) or Hotel Super Star ($20/night) in Station Road area.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Agrabad (Commercial Hub) or Patenga (near the beach/airport).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Khulshi Residential Area or Nasirabad Housing Society; quieter, greener, and better infrastructure.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- WorkStation Chittagong (Agrabad); approx. 8,000 BDT/month for a dedicated desk.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafe 88 (Khulshi) or Candy (Nasirabad); reliable Wi-Fi and quiet atmosphere during mornings.
- Networking Events
- Events organized by the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) at World Trade Center Agrabad.
- Social Events for Expats
- The Chittagong Club (Members only, but expats can get temporary memberships for socializing).
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (Cars) and Pathao (Bikes/Cars); very reliable and prevents overcharging.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not formally available; locals use Pathao for bike-sharing on a per-trip basis.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Patenga Sea Beach (14km from city center); free entry, famous for street food.
- Top Regional Airline
- US-Bangla Airlines (Flights to Dhaka, Cox's Bazar, Kolkata).
- Top International Airline
- Emirates, Air Arabia, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
- Highway Access
- N1 (Dhaka-Chittagong Highway); modern 4-lane road connects to the capital.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Chittagong Railway Station (Battali); connects to Dhaka via Suborno Express.
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital pass system; cash-based buses or Rickshaws (Negotiate: 30-100 BDT).
- Regional Travel
- Bus (Green Line, Desh Travels) to Cox's Bazar (approx. 600 BDT, 4 hours).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Evercare Hospital Chattogram (Anannya Residential Area); international standard emergency care.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Quantum Foundation (Chawkbazar Branch) for meditation and yoga sessions.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Hammer Strength Fitness (Nasirabad) or Radisson Blu Gym; approx. 3,000-5,000 BDT/month.
- Laundry Services
- Bandbox (Multiple locations including Khulshi); professional dry cleaning and laundry.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda is the dominant service in Chittagong.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mezban Haile Ayun (Mezbani Beef with Chonnar Dal); specialized at Mezbanile (Chawkbazar).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Tava Restaurant (GEC) offers excellent vegetarian platters; many Hindu-run eateries in Enayet Bazar.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Well Food (Glazed donuts and local sweets) or Handi (for Shahi Tukda).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- New Market (Reazuddin Bazar) or Chawkbazar for local goods and clothing.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Daraz.com.bd (the local version of Amazon/Lazada).
- Grocery Delivery
- Chaldal or Pandamart (via Foodpanda app).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Alcohol is restricted; bars are only in 5-star hotels (Radisson Blu) or private clubs (Chittagong Club).
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol production is strictly regulated/prohibited for locals).
- Wine Bars
- Exclusively available in high-end international hotel bars like The Exchange (Radisson).
- Street Food Stalls
- Patenga Beach stalls (Fried crab, Shrimp, and Chana Chat); very affordable (100-300 BDT).
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Peninsula Chittagong (Laguna Restaurant) for multi-cuisine buffet; Barcode Cafe for burgers.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Foy's Lake (Amusement park and scenic lake) and Chartiagram Ship Breaking Yard (view from distance).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Ethnological Museum (Agrabad); displays the history of Bangladesh's tribal groups.
- Historical Sites
- Commonwealth War Cemetery (Nasirabad); maintains graves of WWII soldiers.
- Religious Sites
- Bayejid Bostami Shrine (famous for sacred turtles) and Chandanpura Mosque.
- Annual Events
- Boli Khela (Traditional wrestling) held in Laldighi Maidan during April.
- Cultural Districts
- Cheragi Pahar; known as the hub for local writers, poets, and artists.
- Theater Venues
- District Shilpakala Academy (MM Ali Road) for local dramas and folk music.
- Local Markets
- Karnaphuli Market for fresh fish and local produce.
- Music Scene
- Underground rock scene; occasional concerts at the MA Aziz Stadium outer signal.
- Street Art
- University of Chittagong campus features extensive murals during Pahela Baishakh (April 14).
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes available through local culinary schools like NHTI (National Hotel & Tourism Institute).
- Art Galleries
- Chitrakala Gallery near GEC circle.
- Historic Buildings
- Railway Headquarters (CRB area); colonial-era architecture surrounded by old trees.
- Local Heritage
- The Sampan boat; a traditional double-ended boat unique to the Chittagong coast.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Sitakunda Eco Park and Chandranath Hill (1.5 hours away); popular for hiking.
- National Parks Nearby
- Khaiyachara Waterfall and surrounding forest area in Mirsharai.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The CRB (Central Railway Building) hilly roads; the best spot for morning walks/cycling.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Batali Hill; the highest point in the city with a 360-degree view of the port and city.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Karnaphuli River banks and the isolated islands (chars) nearby.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Permitted in designated picnic spots around Foy's Lake Resort.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Agrabad) and SA Paribahan (Courier and parcel service).
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer City (Central Shopping Complex, GEC); expert laptop and mobile repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Chittagong District Sports Association (CJKS) complex.
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française de Chittagong (French and Bengali for foreigners).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Chittagong Central Public Library (near Muslim Hall).
- Community Centers
- The King of Chittagong (Panchlaish) - a massive venue for social gatherings.
- Gaming Lounges
- Portal Fitness & Gaming (Agrabad) for PC gaming.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not available; gambling is illegal in Bangladesh.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 7,000 BDT per sq ft (e.g., 500 sq ft ≈ $32,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,500 BDT per sq ft (e.g., 500 sq ft ≈ $20,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 7,500 BDT per sq ft (e.g., 750 sq ft ≈ $51,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 5,000 BDT per sq ft (e.g., 750 sq ft ≈ $34,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 8,000 BDT per sq ft (e.g., 1000 sq ft ≈ $72,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 5,500 BDT per sq ft (e.g., 1000 sq ft ≈ $50,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 27.5% for non-listed companies; 20% to 22.5% for listed companies.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20% for companies; 10-15% for individuals (resident).
- Tax System
- Residency-based; residents are taxed on worldwide income, non-residents on Bangladesh-sourced income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (for income exceeding 1.6 million BDT).
- VAT
- 15% standard rate; lower rates (5% to 7.5%) apply to some services.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but general anti-avoidance measures apply.
- Property Tax
- Yes, City Corporation tax based on the annual valuation of the property.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 10-12% including Gain Tax, Stamp Duty, Registration Fee, and Local Govt Tax.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; however, foreign income remitted via bank is often exempt for residents.