text:
Chios

Chios is a region of Greece, an island in the Aegean Sea 8 km off the Turkish coasts.

The population is about 54,000 (2019), with an area of 904 km². Chios or Chora is a port and the island's chief town. The island is famous for its scenery and good climate. Its chief export is mastic but it also produces olives, figs, and wine. Its international fame is based on the size and quality of its shipping community.

It is the fifth largest island in Greece with a coastline of 213 km. The island is very close to the coast of Asia Minor. The prefecture of Chios includes, beyond the island of Chios, the two smaller islands, Psara and Oinousses.

Cities

 * — the main city of the island and its administrative center with a well-preserved Genoese castle.
 * — a tiny seaside village, well known for the nearby stretches of black pebbles of 'Mavra Volia', one of the most popular beaches in Chios.
 * — traditional village at the north of the island.
 * — village at the south of the island with strong medieval character, with stone houses closely related, making the village look like a castle.
 * — village whose houses have black and white decoration at the exterior.
 * — village atop a hill overlooking pebbled beaches.

Other destinations

 * — A distinctive area just south of the main town and away from mass tourist, with some interesting country estates still owned by Genoese noblemen and transformed into hotels with unique atmosphere.
 * — A worth to be visited village some 7 km south of Chios town.
 * — The 24 medieval villages where the Mastic, a plant resin from the Mastic tree is (almost) exclusively produced.
 * — A worth to be visited village some 7 km south of Chios town.
 * — The 24 medieval villages where the Mastic, a plant resin from the Mastic tree is (almost) exclusively produced.

By plane
There are daily flights by Olympic Air from Athens and Thessaloniki. Sky Express operates regular flights from Athens, Lemnos, Mytilene, Samos, and Rhodes.

Seasonal flights that operate from May till October: Chios has a state airport, which connects Chios with Athens almost every day, and less often with Thessaloniki. Olympic Airlines/Aegean Airlines, anf Skyexpress planes arrive in Chios (Nov 2022).
 * Aegean Airlines from Athens
 * Scandanavian Airlines from Oslo
 * Transavia from Amsterdam Holland: twice a week

From Athens the flight takes about 35 to 45 minutes, while from Thessaloniki about 1 hour. Plan your trip early: in the last days before the flight, ticket prices rise a lot.

From Turkey
The closest airport in Turkey is Izmir International Airport. You could transfer to this airport and then take a bus to Çeşme, where small boats transport people to Chios daily.

By boat
You can take the boat from Athens (Piraeus) once a day (twice a day in the summer) from Hellenic Seaways or Kavala (operational only in the summer). There is also regular trips from Samos and Lesvos all year round.

Çeşme on Turkish mainland just opposite Chios also has ferry connections with the island. The all year round service costing €23 one-way pp (or €25 return) departs at 09:30 from Çeşme and takes roughly 30 min. Those doing the trip to island as a day trip can take the return ferry to Turkey departing at 17:00 (except Sundays, on which it departs at 16:00) from Chios.

Ferries are the most massive and efficient means of transport for Chios. Tickets are usually cheaper than airplane tickets. If you want to visit Chios by car, motorbike, bicycle or with your dog, then your transport by ferry is one-way. Chios is connected daily with Piraeus, and once or twice a week with Kavala. Sometimes Chios connects with Samos and Mykonos, while almost daily it connects with Lesvos, since this is the continuation of the route from Piraeus. Chios is served by two ports, with the central and most important port of the city of Chios, in the eastern part of the island, while additionally there is the port of Mesto, in the southwest. The main negative of the ships is the long journey, 6 to 8 hours from Piraeus.

From Turkey, many small boats run the Çeşme-Chios route every day. The route is cheap and takes around 45 minutes.

Get around
You can bring a car using the boats, or you can rent one there. Chios is a big island and if you want to get around (out of the place where you are staying you have to have wheels) you better rent a car or motorbike. Renting a bicycle is also an option if you are not traveling big distances.

By road
Chios is a relatively large island, and some areas are quite far from others. For this reason, a private car is probably necessary for you to get to know Chios better. There are several car rental companies. The highway network of Chios is decent. The main intercity roads are in good condition, with proper signposting. Of course, this does not mean that you will not encounter difficult spots on your way! The so-called "Aipus bends", i.e. the part of the road that goes up the mountain of Aipus, is a point that needs a lot of attention. Also, beaches that are not directly connected to the main road, often have some smaller roads or even dirt roads, which in some places can be a little difficult for you.

By bus
Chios has an urban and interurban network buses. The Chios urban ktels cover the area of Chios town, Kampos, and Vrontados, an area that has things to see and do. The price of the tickets ranges from €1 to €1.5 (Nov 2022).

Chios intercity buses more or less cover the rest of Chios, with a small increase in ticket prices. However, due to low demand, the huses stop in the early afternoon, even in the summer.

By bicycle
Chios does not have any cycle paths. The steep uphill mountains, as well as the long distances from the city of some areas, may make commuting by bicycle prohibitive for some. However, if you are used to long-distance routes with a high degree of difficulty, then the tour of Chios by bike could be a special experience for you. By following the car roads, you can enjoy the landscape of Chios in a more "satisfying" way. Nevertheless, if you plan to come to Chios by bike, then you should prepare properly and choose the right season. Summer, with the heat and the sun on the head, may not be the best time for long cycling routes in Chios. If you choose autumn or spring,

See

 * — a UNESCO World Heritage listed monastery
 * — a byzantine village monument with tower-like houses.

Eat

 * Mastelo, a local cheese that can be grilled
 * Mastelo, a local cheese that can be grilled

Go next

 * Cesme (Turkey)

title: Chios


text:
Chipata

Chipata is a growing multi-cultural town in Eastern Zambia, and is a popular refueling station for overlanders on their way east to Malawi, west to South Luangwa National Park, or north to Lundazi.

Understand
Formerly Fort Jameson, Chipata was the capital of North-Eastern Rhodesia until 1911, when Northern Rhodesia — later to become Zambia — was created. Now it's the capital of Zambia's Eastern Province and a fairly busy town with about 320,000 residents and more coming in daily.

Orientation
The main axis is the Great East Road to Lusaka, which runs through town to the town's solitary traffic lights, after which it turns into the Umodzi Highway to the Malawian border. Along the western boundary of the city, there is another road, heading north to Mfuwe and Lundazi, and eventually to Chama. It's known, appropriately, as Lundazi Road.

By plane
There are flights to Lusaka and Mfuwe (for South Luangwa). Flights are run by Proflight from M-F. Bookings can be made at Jasat Travel Agency, located in Down Town.

By bus
From Lusaka, Chipata is a 7 to 8-hour bus ride on a luxury bus, costing approx US$20. It might be possible to find slightly cheaper transport, but it will probably take twice as long to arrive. (Among the various bus companies that travel between Chipata and Lusaka, Zoom has a rather poor safety record.) Buses to the capital leave every hour. Be there at least an hour before departure, as the bus leaves as soon as it's full and will not always stick to the timetable.we have Lungu luxury coaches,chibangamoto,Kapekele and many more, CR Carriers is just one of the many companies operating the bus services their website has pictures of the buses and services they offer,.

There are two bus stations: one for minibuses and one mainly for coaches, though another station is under construction. You will need to ask around to find the location of the bus station you need. Be prepared to wait a while at the local bus station — no matter what time the conductor tells you that you will leave, it will be much later (minibuses will only leave when full). Kick back and have a warm beer; after all, you're in the heart of Africa.

By taxi
Chipata is roughly 12 km from the border of Malawi along Lusaka Road. Taxis taken from the Malawi side can take you through Malawi customs, but you'll have to change once on the Zambian side.

Get around
Chipata is strangely sprawling for a rural community. Most people with vehicles use them. For the most part, however, walking will be manageable, although possibly tiring.

There are many cabs in Chipata, painted an eye-catching blue. No meters, so bargain hard — expect to pay K10,000-20,000 for most trips around town.

Cabs will also take you to the border if necessary. Prices may vary on the number of people travelling.

You can hire bicycles at little as K2000, and for the whole day that can be arranged with the Tourism News.

See
Chipata is rather low on tourist attractions.

 * Kanjala Hill, on the northeast corner of town (nearly 2 km east of Shoprite). Nice views of Chipata.  Take a lunch and have a nice hike; if you want to drive it, you'll pretty much need a 4WD, but there's a track leading up from JBG Road.
 * Kanjala Hill, on the northeast corner of town (nearly 2 km east of Shoprite). Nice views of Chipata.  Take a lunch and have a nice hike; if you want to drive it, you'll pretty much need a 4WD, but there's a track leading up from JBG Road.

Do
Two major festivals are held around Chipata and are well worth a visit if you're in town at the right time.

 * Ncwala (n-CHWA-la), Mutenguleni village, usually Last week of February. A Ngoni festival to celebrate the first fruit of the season, where the Ngoni chief ceremonially tastes the fruit of the land, then spears a bull and drinks its blood.
 * Kulamba, Undi village (75 km from Chipata, near Katete), sometime in August. A Chewa thanksgiving festival that draws colorful Nyau secret society dancers not just from Zambia, but also Malawi and Mozambique.

Buy

Chipata is a good place to stock up before heading out into the bush. There is a large Spar supermarket and also a Shoprite, a number of petrol stations and a few places to change money.

If you are interested in taking a look around a "real Zambian town," head to the Indian shops (so-called because they are almost exclusively Indian-owned). Also known as the Down Shops, among these shops you will find thousands of Chipatans wandering around, meeting friends, or doing business. Chitenje, the colorful traditional Zambian cloth wraparounds, are a good buy here and go for US$2-3 each; specialist shops selling these include Scorpio, Vitenje,Patel & Co and Khatri Brothers Ltd where you will find the best range of them.

Eat
Chipata has several local restaurants offering cheap traditional food.

 * Chef's Pride, Parerenyatwa Rd. Serves local and Zambianised Indian dishes from US$2.  Try the pepper chicken and chapattis. All chicken meals are magnificent (at least by African standards).
 * Lazeez Khana, next to Chef's Pride. Serves similar food to Chef's Pride at similar prices. Best for beef steaks.
 * Jamraz, At welcome.

Drink
Nightclubs in Chipata are a little low-key.

 * Up Town, near Caltex Filling Station, is the only proper nite club in Chipata.
 * Wildlife Club, in the Wildlife & Environment Conservation Society building. Features a pool table and beers for K5,000.  Theoretically members-only, but in practice anybody gets in. Popular with Chipata's small expat community.
 * Pine View, on the Guest House property, has a chilled-out bar and pool tables. A good chill out place to meet some locals and have some fun.

Budget Under K500
Chipata has several affordable guest houses

 * Katuta Lodge, Lundazi Highway (10 km north). Camping for US$5, clean singles/double with bathroom from US$15/20. Has a decent restaurant on grounds serving local and Western fare.
 * Mama Rula's, Lundazi Highway (4 km north). Chalets and camping, popular with overlanders. There's a good bar where the bartender sports a bowtie and serves Mosi and Carlsberg for US$1.75 a bottle. Local and Western dishes are also served, but US$10 for fish and chips is on the expensive side.
 * Katuta Lodge, Lundazi Highway (10 km north). Camping for US$5, clean singles/double with bathroom from US$15/20. Has a decent restaurant on grounds serving local and Western fare.
 * Mama Rula's, Lundazi Highway (4 km north). Chalets and camping, popular with overlanders. There's a good bar where the bartender sports a bowtie and serves Mosi and Carlsberg for US$1.75 a bottle. Local and Western dishes are also served, but US$10 for fish and chips is on the expensive side.

For those who have problems with finding nice Guest houses. The Tourism News, have an office their along Church Road, Mandawa Photo Studios Building, the road which goes to Luangwa House, +260 977 851 196. They will help you with anything to do with travelling.and for those who want to use bicycles we can arrange bicycle at a very reasonable fee Tourism News can also help you get around and see whats needs to be seen at a very minimum charge.

Cope
There are three petrol stations and FNB, Stanbic, ABSA with mostly-functional ATMs. For people coming to Chipata for the first time there is no need to carry cash as there are ATMs in Chipata: ABSA, FNB, Stanbic, UBA, Access Bank which also offer Mastercard & Visa services at their ATMs.

Go next

 * Lilongwe in Malawi, 2-3 hours away
 * South Luangwa National Park, among the best in Zambia, also 2-3 hours away via Mfuwe
 * Lundazi and Chama to the north

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Chipata


text:
Chi Phat

The Chi Phat commune is deep within the Cardamom and Elephant Mountains in Koh Kong Province, southwest Cambodia. It is known for having a community based eco-tourism (CBET) project.

Understand
The commune consists four villages:Chi Phat, Komlot, Chom-Sla and T'k La'o. The communal population is estimated around 3,000 inhabitants (2010). The residents makes their living mainly from agriculture, fishing, and tourism.

It is known for its Community-Based Eco-tourism (CBET) project that helps locals benefit from tourism instead of hunting animals in the Cardamom Mountains.

Get in
Chi Phat is located on the Stung Phipot (Phipot River) about 20 km upstream from Andong Teuk village on Hwy 48, the main highway linking Phnom Penh with Thailand, through the provincial capital of Koh Kong.

To get to Chi Phat you will have to travel to Andong Teuk village by bus and from Andoung Teuk to Chi Phat by boat. The journey from Andong Teuk to Chi Phat is a scenic river trip passing mangroves and forested mountains.

Transportation to Andong Teuk village:

 * From Phnom Penh: The bus departs Phnom Penh. Virak Buntham and Sorya are the most reliable.
 * From Sihanoukville: The bus departs from the central bus station at 08:00 for Koh Kong town and arrives in Andong Teuk village around 11:30.
 * From Koh Kong Town: The bus departs from the central bus station at 08:00 to Phnom Penh and arrives in Andong Teuk village at around 10:30.

Remember to ask your bus driver to drop you off at Andong Teuk village!

Get around
Hire a guide from the CBET office. They will arrange trips for trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, and the like, complete with equipment, food, and guides. Because CBET is owned by the community, all proceeds go to the community.

Do

 * Kayaking
 * Mountain Biking
 * Trekking

Sleep
The CBET office will propose local options for home stays, guesthouses, or eco-lodges. All fees are collected by CBET and distributed to the community. The home stay and guesthouses are in a rotation system so that all families get equal opportunity to earn money from tourism.

title: Chi Phat


text:
Chippenham

Chippenham is a market town in Wiltshire that has become a commuter town, with residents travelling to workplaces in Bath, Bristol, Swindon and even London (almost 100 miles to the east).

Understand
Chippenham is a market town in the south west of England, midway between the cities of Bath and Swindon. Its population has grown rapidly in the 21st century, and become Wiltshire's third largest town with 40,000 inhabitants.

The rapid expansion can be attributed to the development of the South West regional economy, and to the new housing estates developed in Chippenham such as the Cepen Park North and South areas to the west of the town and the earlier Pewsham estate to the east.

The town lies in the Avon Vale, the broad valley of the River Avon in the low lying claylands of north west Wiltshire. Chippenham is located at a convenient crossing point of the River Avon, within close proximity of the nearby towns of Corsham, Calne, Melksham and Malmesbury. Higher ground lies to the east of the town at the Marlborough Downs, to the north at the Cotswolds and to the south at Salisbury Plain.

History
The origins of Chippenham are believed to be from before Roman times, with remains of settlements from this time claimed to be in the wall behind the former magistrates court in the town today.

During Saxon times it emerged as an early settlement around 600 AD. There may also have been a royal forest and hunting lodge here that was used by Alfred the Great.

The name Chippenham may have been originated from Cyppa's Hamme, perhaps a Saxon chief called Cyppa, or from the word ce-ap meaning market, and Hamme meaning enclosed by the river or an enclosed water meadow. In its early years this was an area of small family farms, perhaps concentrating on dairy farming and cheese making.

The name is also claimed to be recorded as Cippanhamm, Cepen, Cheppeham, Shippenham and Chippyngham. The Domesday Book listed Chippenham as Cepen, with a population of 600-700 people in 1086. The town received a charter of incorporation in May 1554 by Queen Mary.

By road
Chippenham town centre is approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) from Junction 17 of the M4, linking to Swindon, Reading and London to the East and Bristol and South Wales to the West. It lies on the A4 (linking to Bath in the West) and the A350 (linking to Warminster and the South coast).

By bus
First Group operates the 231/232 route to Bath (via Corsham) and 234 to Frome.

Stagecoach operates the 55 to Swindon (via Calne and Royal Wootton Bassett).

AD Rains, Andybus, APL Travel, Badgerline, Coachstyle and Faresaver operate services to surrounding towns and villages. Details can be found on Travel Search (Chippenham) and Wiltshire Council.

National Express coach services call at Chippenham: Northampton to Bristol (302), Bath to London (403) and Penzance to London (404).

Get around
The town is small enough to get around on foot.

See
Surrounding the town are many ancient villages, including Lacock, Castle Combe, Langley Burrell, Kington Langley, Derry Hill, Kington St Michael, Colerne, Yatton Keynell and Biddestone.

There are also several manor houses and gardens nearby including Bowood Estate, Lacock Abbey, Sheldon Manor and Corsham Court, and the Castle Combe Circuit

World Heritage Site of Bath, Stonehenge and Longleat are popular day trips.

Restaurants
Chippenham has a small selection of fine local restaurants:

There is a selection of Indian and Chinese restaurants around the town, very few chain restaurants, with a Pizza Express in the town centre, Pizza Hut further out of town and McDonald's and Burger King around the town's bypass.

Go next

 * Swindon - Known for its history as the heart of the Great Western Railway, 15 minutes by train (or 30 minutes by car on the A350 dual carriageway and M4 motorway)
 * Bath - Easily accessible, this beautiful Roman City boasts magnificent architecture, parks and shopping as well as its world-famous Roman Baths. 15 miles WSW
 * Chipping Sodbury 20 miles to W.
 * Melksham 8 miles to S.
 * Avebury famous for its neolithic stone circle 14 miles to E.
 * Devizes 12 miles to SE.
 * Malmesbury southern Cotswold town, 11 miles to N.

title: Chippenham


text:
Chippewa

There is more than one place called Chippawa or Chippewa:

Canada

 * Chippawa - in the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario

United States of America

 * Chippewa (Wisconsin) - a town in Northwest Wisconsin, Wisconsin
 * Chippewa (Ohio) - a township in Ohio
 * Chippewa (Chippewa County, Michigan) - a township in Chippewa County (Michigan), Michigan
 * Chippewa (Isabella County, Michigan) - a township in Isabella County, Michigan
 * Chippewa (Mecosta County, Michigan) - a township in Mecosta County, Michigan
 * Chippewa (Pennsylvania) - a township in Beaver County (Pennsylvania), Pennsylvania

 * Chippewa County (Michigan) - in Michigan
 * Chippewa County (Minnesota) - in Minnesota
 * Chippewa County (Wisconsin) - in Wisconsin

 * Chippewa Falls - a city in Northwest Wisconsin, Wisconsin
 * Chippewa Falls (Minnesota) - a township in Pope County (Minnesota), Minnesota

 * Chippewa Lake (formerly Chippewa-on-the-Lake) - a village in Medina County (Ohio), Ohio

title: Chippewa


text:
Chippewa Falls

Chippewa Falls is a city in Northwest Wisconsin.

By bus
Chippewa Falls is served by Jefferson Lines on the route between Milwaukee and Minneapolis (via Green Bay).

By plane
is 8 miles from the town. As of March 2016 a twice daily (once on Saturdays) service is available to Chicago O'Hare.

Festivals and Events
These listings are presented in chronological order.

Go next
Eau Claire, Wisconsin is approximately 12 miles (19 km) to the south.

title: Chippewa Falls


text:
Chipping Norton

Chipping Norton is a small English town in the county of Oxfordshire and one of the most attractive towns in the Cotswolds region. Chippy (as it is called by its residents) is an essential place to visit while in the Cotswolds, and is an idyllic and peaceful location to stay in while also being close to Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Understand
"Chipping" means 'market', revealing the town's past importance as the main commercial centre for the Evenlode valley. The surrounding Cotswolds were one of the wealthiest parts of England in the Middle Ages, owing to their production of wool; Chipping Norton was one of the beneficiaries of this trade. Many of the medieval buildings built as a result remain in the town centre, adding to its unique character. Many buildings also date from the 18th century.

Through the turmoil of the Middle Ages and the reformation, the industrial revolution right up to the modern association with 'The Chipping Norton Set', has seen its fair share of history.

The town has also been voted one of the UK's "top ten country towns" by the 200,000 readers of Period Living and Traditional Homes magazine.

Get in
For those living close by, there are several bus services that meet at Chipping Norton, most notably the S3 (that travels to Oxford, stopping off at Woodstock, Enstone and other places) and the number 50 to Stratford. For those coming from further afield, coming into Chippy by car is best advised.

Get around
For such a small town, the best way to get around Chippy is by foot. The town is not very wheelchair-friendly and in some places steep hills may cause potential problems for the semi infirm or people with baby buggies.

With the help of a map, phone, or friendly resident, navigating the town is fairly easy.

Buy

For shopping, it is advised to visit nearby Banbury or Oxford. That said, Chipping Norton does host a number of small shops including women's boutique shops, a shoe shop, a very good deli, newsagents, supermarkets, gift shops, cafés, a bakery, a clothes shop and even a small department store.

Chipping Norton also holds host to very nice bookshop, Jaffe & Neale, and a well run Oxfam bookshop for bookworms and record collectors alike.

Sleep
Chipping Norton includes multiple places offering accommodation, including:

It may be worth considering many quality hotels and B&Bs in the area surrounding the town, including:

Places of worship

 * St. Mary's Anglican Church Church of St Mary, Chipping Norton - geograph.org.uk - 1955588.jpg
 * Holy Trinity Catholic Church
 * Chipping Norton Methodist Church
 * Baptist Church

Stay safe
Chipping Norton is not the most dangerous place, but sensible precautions should always be taken. Chipping Norton does have a Hospital (but with no Accident and Emergency or ambulances, the nearest being in Banbury), Fire station and Police station if anything does go wrong though.

Go next
Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

Any of these places can be reached from Chipping Norton via bus. Oxford and Woodstock via the S3, Stratford by the number 50 bus and Banbury by the 488.
 * Oxford, the heart of the county and the home of the oldest English-speaking university
 * Banbury, an ancient market town
 * Woodstock, home of Blenheim Palace, 'the English Versailles' and the birthplace of Churchill
 * Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of Shakespeare.

title: Chipping Norton


text:
Chiprovtsi

Chiprovtsi (Чипровци) is a city in North Bulgaria.

Get in
There are daily buses departing at 18:00 from the Central Bus Station in Sofia. As of March 2011, a one-way ticket costs 14 leva. The trip takes approximately 3 hours, the center of Chiprovtsi being the last stop on the route.

Buses depart from the Montana bus station at 10:20, 12:30 (M-F only), 15:40, 17:40, and 20:20. The ticket costs 3.50 leva, and the journey takes approximately 45 minutes. The majority of these buses are labeled to Martinovo (Мартиново), the final route destination.

Buses depart from Chiprovtsi to Montana at 6:40, 10:00, 12:20 (Chiprovtsi Express to Sofia), and 16:50. The ticket costs 3.50 leva, and the journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Bus and train connections can be made to all the major cities in Bulgaria from Montana.

See

Tourist Information Center
It is on the first floor of the Cultural Center, and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00-17:00 (closed from 12:00-13:00 for lunch). Here you can find pictures of Chiprovtsi, information brochures for Bulgaria, and a wide selection of carpets on display. The helpful staff will answer any questions, but be ready to speak in Bulgarian or ask for someone who speaks English.

1st Floor Peter Bogdan Cultural Center [Chitalishte] Peter Parchevich Street No. 57 Telephone: 00359 (0) 9554 0888763843

title: Chiprovtsi


text:
Chiquimula

Chiquimula is a city in Guatemala.

Get in
Chiquimula is the nearest major city (and transport hub) from the El Florido / Copan Ruinas border crossing for Honduras. You can get to Chiquimula by minibus from the border for Q20.

A bus company called Maria Elena has a daily direct bus to Flores, departing 9:30am. Goes via Rio Hondo, Rio Dulce, and Poptun. 8 hours (they'll try to tell you it takes 6), Q85. Look for their office near the main bus stand in the market.

See
Chiquimula is a cute little town, and quite prosperous looking. Take a stroll around the downtown area and the market.

title: Chiquimula


text:
Chiran

Chiran (知覧) is a town in Kagoshima prefecture, part of Kyushu in Japan. It is now administered as part of Minamikyushu City.

Understand
Tome Torihama and the Tomiya Shokudou During the final period of the war when Japan was sending hundred of young pilots to their deaths on kamikaze missions, Tome Torihama ran a military eatery where many of the boys took their last meals. She became famous for the love that she showed to the pilots, and many stories have been written about her. Perhaps the most well-known story is the following incident, which Tome and her daughter always swore to be true until their respective deaths in 1992 and 2005.

After dinner at the restaurant on the eve of his suicide mission, Sgt. Saburo Miyagawa, Tome and her high-school age daughter Reiko were walking when they came upon some fireflies, at which point Miyagawa suddenly told the women that he wanted to come back and visit them the next day, promising to return to the restaurant in the form of a firefly at 19:00. "Promise me you'll sing for me when I come," he said, and they promised.

At 19:00 the next day, Tome and her daughter were sitting in the dark restaurant listening to war reports on the radio, when Tome got up to go outside and found a firefly hovering just outside the door, as if waiting to get in. The insect flew in and flew straight to the apex of the building, flashing rhythmically. "It's Saburo-kun. He's come back!", she said. In the dark there, she and Reiko sang an old war song for the young sergeant, and then the firefly flew out and disappeared into the night.

This story, relayed in book form by Reiko's daughter, and in movie form as part of the semi-fictional 2001 film Hotaru, is responsible for a boom in Japanese tourism to Chiran.

Tourist information site
Minamikyushu City's tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

By train
From Kagoshima, take the JR Ibusuki Makurazaki line to Hirakawa (平川) station. Then take the Kagoshima Kotsu bus to Chiran. The train ride is about 30 minutes. The bus ride is also about 30 min and the bus leaves approximately hourly.

By car
Chiran is about one hour from Kagoshima by car.

By bus
Kagoshima Kotsu operates a bus from the Yamakataya department store in Kagoshima to Chiran.

Drink
Chiran Tea is a type of green tea grown locally.

Go next

 * Kagoshima
 * Ibusuki
 * Makurazaki
 * Minamisatsuma
 * Hioki
 * Ichikikushikino
 * Satsumasendai
 * Kamo
 * Aira

title: Chiran


text:
Chiricahua National Monument

Chiricahua National Monument is one of the more remote units in the National Park system in Southeast Arizona. Once called 'the land of standing up rocks' by the Chiricahua Apaches, it is most famous for its unusual stone hoodoos, which beckon the hiker and photographer. It also preserves several sites of historic and cultural interest.

History
The Chiricahua Mountains were part of the traditional homeland of the Chiricahua Band ("band" is the proper designation for this group, not "tribe") of the Apache Indian nation. The Chiricahuans had numerous clashes with settlers and travellers during the 19th century, many resulting (or so the Chiricahuans claimed, at least) from the "white man's" violation of previously negotiated treaties governing land use. The Apache leaders Cochise and Geronimo were members of the Chiricahua Band who were famed, and feared, in their day. Territory of the monument was used as a safe haven by the Chiricahuans until the cessation of hostilities; many place names in southern Arizona, including that of Cochise Stronghold, another highly scenic site in the region, date to this conflict and memorialize its more illustrious figures.

Chiricahua National Monument is one of the many U.S. national parks and monuments that came into being in the first third of the 20th century (1924), by which time the conflict with the Chiricahua Band had receded into the past. The primary purpose was to protect the rock formations for which the monument is famed. Much of the park's infrastructure dates to a slightly later time, as it was one of the sites of public-works projects during the Great Depression.

Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson settled in Bonita Canyon, in the lower reaches of the monument, in the 1880s, and operated the on what is now monument property. It began as a working ranch, but in the 20th century became a guest ranch ("dude ranch") with reasonable success well into the monument's modern history. Structures of the Faraway Ranch are open for tours on Th-Su at 11AM and 2PM; tours however are sometimes cancelled during summer months so it's best to confirm ahead by calling the visitor center.

Landscape
The hallmark of Chiricahua National Monument is the enormous collection of weirdly-shaped rock pinnacles that fill the higher regions of the park, the remnants of a huge volcanic eruption about 25 million years ago. The most accessible, and in many regards most interesting, formations are in several canyons (notably Echo Canyon) high on the side of the Chiricahua Mountains, which extend into neighboring Coronado National Forest. The Chiricahuas are an example of a "sky island," an isolated group of mountains rising without preamble or foothills from the surrounding desert. Sky islands are prominent landforms in southern Arizona, and several of the others in the region, for example Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains west of the Chiricahuas, are scenic attractions in their own right, although lacking the Chiricahuas' remarkable rock formations.

The park entrance is at an elevation of about 5000 feet. The trailheads for the main formations in Echo Canyon and vicinity are at about 7000 feet, high enough that the visitor from the lowlands may notice the rarefied air; plan to be a little more winded than you expect when hiking, and allow a bit of extra time for your explorations. The high point in the Chiricahua Mountains is above 9000 feet, but lies outside the monument.

Note: Rock climbing is generally prohibited in the monument. The rock formations look as though they may pose interesting boulder problems, but they're fragile (and rotten), and have been placed off limits to protect their scenic beauty.

Flora and fauna
Chiricahua National Monument stands at the junction of several North American biomes, and has an interestingly diverse population of flora and fauna to match. The characteristic medium-to-large mammals of the park are the coatimundi and javelina (peccary), both more typical of areas to the south, and white-tailed deer, black bear and the occasional mountain lion, all more commonly associated with the mountainous regions to the north. Even the occasional jaguar strays north from Mexico, although you almost certainly won't see one. Most of the larger animals are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and difficult to observe during daylight hours.

Birds are similarly diverse, and almost 200 species have been recorded at the park. Many of them are either "erratics" that wander up from Mexico or migratory species that are only around for brief periods in spring and fall. A spectacular example of the first class that you won't see in many places in the United States is the elegant trogon ("elegant" is part of the name of the bird, not a description); count yourself lucky if you see one. Seeing raptors or ravens while you're out on the trails is much more common.

Rattlesnakes are common in the park, mainly although not exclusively at the lower elevations. The rock formations produce good hiding places for snakes, so be careful where you put your hands when hiking; your main chances for dangerous rattler encounters come from poking a hand into a rock crevice where a snake is resting or sunning. The dangerously venomous (but unusually inoffensive) coral snake is also present in the park, although you're more likely to see its non-venomous look-alike, the scarlet king snake. Other reptiles include all manner of lizards, particularly skinks, and a single species of dry-land box turtle; you're likely to see lizards as you hike, but finding the turtle is a treat.

As for flora, the usual junction-of-biomes observations apply, with mountain (ponderosa pine) and desert (yuccas, all kinds of cactus) species coexisting in the park. The distribution of trees and cactus varies not only according to elevation, but also with type of terrain; the fact that the canyons tend to be wetter than the more exposed terrain means that trees characteristic of the high country do better in the canyon bottoms.

Climate
The climate of the Chiricahua Mountains is strongly elevation-dependent, but generally is that of a continental desert, with four distinct seasons. However, as even the lowest parts of the monument are still well above the plain level, summer heat isn't as beastly here as in much of Arizona. Temperatures cited below are typical of the visitor center and campground, which are at low elevations; conditions "on top" will be about 10 to 15 degrees cooler on average, with more precipitation.

Spring (March and April) is the most popular time to visit, as temperatures are generally moderate (highs around 70°F at the visitor center) and there is little precipitation. Strong winds at this time can be annoying, particularly at the higher elevations where the temperature is a bit lower, but most of the hiking trails are sheltered and reduce exposure to the wind. Temperatures gradually rise into June, the hottest month of the year, with average highs around and daily highs above  not unknown. Monsoon rains usually start in July and cool things down by 10 degrees or so; July and August are the wettest months, with typically about 3 inches of rain falling in each, generally accompanied by fierce electrical storms that occur almost daily. If you're visiting during these months, plan to start your day early and be off the highest points by early afternoon to avoid lightning hazard. The storms taper off in September, leading to fall conditions that many view as offering the best time to visit; it's unusual to get temperatures below freezing at the visitor center/campground until the end of October, and even November won't see freezing temperatures until mid-month most years. Winter here is generally temperate, with highs in the 50s or low 60s and about 12 inches (30 cm) of snow in an average year (more in the high country).

A climatic quirk of the Chiricahua Mountains is the chubasco, a violent, localized storm resulting from the decay of low-pressure systems in the Gulf of California. Rainfall and lightning during a chubasco can be almost unbelievably intense for brief periods, and winds can reach hurricane force. The effects are highly localized; the monument may be getting bombarded while some of the other "sky islands" 50 miles (80 km) away are unaffected. Driving to and from the monument during a chubasco can be a hairy experience, and you certainly don't want to be in the high country while one is in progress. The effects of the chubasco might last two or three days.

Get in
Chiricahua National Monument is about 120 miles (190 km) east of the major city of Tucson, which has good air service. From Tucson, proceed east by car on I-10 to the small town of Willcox, then follow SR 186 south for 32 miles to SR 181, which leads to the entrance. There are no reliable services between Willcox and Chiricahua; gas up in town, and if you're camping, pick up food there as well.

From the east (New Mexico), you can follow I-10 to Willcox and proceed as above, but for a scenic alternative, you can attempt an east-side approach via Apache Pass Road from exit 366 and the small town of Bowie. The route passes Fort Bowie National Historic Site, one of the very few National Park Service units in the lower 48 states that you must hike into, rather than drive. If you're up to the 3-mile round-trip hike (generally on level, well-maintained trail) and have a couple of hours to kill en route to the monument, it's an interesting site to visit. The road continues on over Apache Pass and connects with SR 181. As reached by this route, the monument is even farther from travel services, so make sure your fuel tank is full before venturing forth; it's wise to fuel up in Deming or Lordsburg, in southwestern New Mexico, and make sure your vehicle is in good condition, as traffic on this road is sparse and help may be a long time in coming if you break down.

Fees and permits
There is no admission charge.

Get around
You can drive (or, if you're into pain, cycle – the road gains thousands of feet of elevation) from the visitor center and campground to the upper reaches of the park, where the most interesting rock formations are. The trails through the formations are all done on foot; no motorized traffic or horses are allowed on them.

The trademark hike at the monument (see under "Do") is from the trailheads at the upper end, one-way back to the visitor center/campground. To avoid the necessity of leaving a car at each end of this trail (or of hiking back to the top, which again is an exercise in pain), take advantage of the shuttle service operated by the visitor center. A 14-passenger van takes hikers to the trailheads on top, with departure from the visitor center at 9AM. Use of this shuttle is on a by-reservation-only basis; get your reservation at the visitor center on the day before you're riding on it, or if you're in a gambling mood, show up at the visitor center promptly at 8AM and see if there's still space available on the shuttle. Occasionally a kind-hearted worker at the visitor center will drive a second, later shuttle for stragglers, but you can't count on it.

See
Start by checking in at the visitor center and viewing the static displays and orientation video. The monument is more of a "do" park than a "see" park, and you'll have to do some hiking to get to the best scenery. However, you can get a good overall sense of the rock formations from, an overlook at the end of the 8-mile scenic drive beyond the visitor center. Wildlife encounters on the road to the overlook aren't uncommon; remember that the critters have the right of way (and the coatis, in particular, will cheerfully assert it).

Do
Chiricahua National Monument is an excellent park for day hiking, with options ranging from brief, one-hour walks to strenuous, all-day excursions with significant altitude gain. The must-see region for the day hiker is Heart of Rocks, close to the upper end of the monument. Many of the most famous rock formations are here.

If you have time and are staying in the monument's campground (see below under "Sleep"), and can organize yourself in the morning, the most rewarding hike is a one-way trip from Echo Canyon or Massai Point, through the Heart of Rocks, and on to the visitor center by way of the Sarah Deming and Lower Rhyolite trails. The shuttle from the visitor center drops you off at the trailhead, so that you don't have to organize a car shuttle yourself. Using this much-appreciated service requires advance reservations, and you must be at the visitor center by 8:30AM when the shuttle departs. The hike is almost entirely downhill, with a number of scenic detours along the way if you're feeling energetic.

For the less ambitious hiker, Heart of Rocks is accessible from the via a shorter, out-and-back loop trail involving about 3 miles of hiking. (This one will be crowded; don't expect a wilderness experience.) Several other short trails from Echo Canyon and Massai Point reach viewpoints in the high country. Other short hikes are available from trailheads near the visitor center and stress the ecology of the monument rather than the geology.

Almost all of the monument's trails, with the possible exceptions of the lowlands trails near the visitor center, are fairly rough and steep, with uneven footing. If you're physically frail, have problems with balance, or are freaked out by exposure, Heart of Rocks may not be the place for you to go hiking; if you need a wheelchair or other conveyance to get around, it certainly isn't. Enjoy the views from Echo Canyon or Massai Point instead.

Buy
The visitor center has the usual gift-shop goods, with mementos, books on the area, etc.

Eat
There are no food services at the monument; bring your food and drink with you. Bottled water may be available for sale at the visitor center, but that's about it.

Drink
What you bring with you, apart from visitor center water.

Lodging
The nearest lodging options are in Willcox and Pearce.

Camping
If your vehicle is too large, or if the park campground is full (not unlikely on weekends during peak periods such as spring break), try one of the campgrounds in the neighboring Coronado National Forest; the is agreeable and is fairly close to the monument. (Check carefully on campground locations; the National Forest portion of the Chiricahua Mountains covers a very large area, and some of the campgrounds are definitely not close to the monument.)

Backcountry
No backcountry camping is permitted at the monument, but the surrounding Coronado National Forest offers a number of backpacking and backcountry-camping opportunities.

Stay safe
If hiking, wear good boots and stay on the trail. Dangerous wildlife encounters are rare, but rattlesnakes are found throughout the monument, particularly at dawn and dusk when the hunting is good, or in the middle of the day during the cooler parts of the year. If there's a snake on the trail, just step back and concede it the right of way. The possibility of surprising a snake concealed on a ledge is just one of the reasons to obey the prohibition against climbing the rock formations or getting off the trails.

If camping at Bonita Canyon, make sure to secure your food items overnight; there are bears in the monument, and the coatis can play the same camp-robber role as raccoons do farther north. It's also wise to shake out your shoes and boots before putting them on in the morning, as they can make nice hiding places for critters such as scorpions. Finally, remember to wear sun screen and take lots of water when you go hiking.

Go next

 * Cochise Stronghold is another scenic site on a sky island, in the Dragoon Mountains. The region is administered by Coronado National Forest, and there are fewer use restrictions than in Chiricahua; for example, rock climbing is permitted and enjoyable there.
 * Fort Bowie National Historic Site is nearby; see above under "Get in."

title: Chiricahua National Monument


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Chirk

Chirk (Welsh: Y Waun) is a town in the county borough of Wrexham, North Wales. The town is on the Welsh border near Oswestry.

By road
Chirk is on the A5 London to Holyhead trunk road, close to its junction with the A483 Swansea to Chester road.

By rail
is on the Shrewsbury to Chester line.

 * Wrexham and Shropshire Railways operate a direct link from London Marylebone via Banbury and Walsall/Birmingham (Tame Bridge Parkway Station).
 * Arriva Trains Wales operate direct services to Chirk from Cardiff, Shrewsbury, Chester, Wrexham, Holyhead.

By boat
Chirk Marina is located on the Llangollen branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.

Go next

 * Oswestry
 * Ellesmere
 * Llangollen

title: Chirk


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Chirripo National Park

Parque Nacional Chirripó (Chirripó National Park) is a national park in South Pacific Costa Rica accessible by road through the locality of San Isidro de El General in Pérez Zeledo canton.

Understand
Chirripó National Park is named after Cerro Chirripó (Chirripó Peak), of the Talamanca Mountain Range, which is also Costa Rica's highest mountain at an altitude of 3,820 m (12,538 ft).

With a particular climate that has only two seasons, a dry one approximately from December to April and a wet one from May to November, this national park is among the most exciting ones for locals and tourists alike. This is based on the fact that in order to get to the summit (Cerro Chirripó) the visitor has to walk along a 16.5-km uphill trail from the town of San Gerardo de Rivas to the park ranger's refuge in the Los Crestones sector and save energies for the next 5-km walk from there to the peak. Considering that Chirripó is the 38th most prominent peak in the world, this journey is a once in lifetime experience.

It is also a great way to explore the mountainous climate, fauna, and flora of this Central American nation.

History
During the dry season the upper regions are susceptible to fires. The latest recorded events have occurred in 1953, 1958, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1992, and 2012. The event of 1992 affected over 20 km² (5000 acre) of vegetation and forced the administration to close the park for four months.

Augustin Blessing was the first white person who climbed the Chirripo Mountain back in 1904.

Landscape
The national park contains the highest peak of Costa Rica. This makes it the 38th highest peak in the world, and the highest in the range between Guatemala and the Andes. Chirripo National Park boast great biodiversity, including Talamanca forest and Costa Rican Páramo forest.

Flora and fauna
In lower altitudes you find a dwarf cloudforest habitat. From 3400 m up the vegetation changes and to higher altitudes plants and shrubs as opposed to forest. The Resplendent Quetzal may be seen in the lower cloudforest regions. Monkeys, toucanets, trogons and several other species may be found in the lower altitudes.

Climate
From January till April dry. May - December very humid. On the top it could be very cold (down to -9 C°).

Get in
There are buses from San Isidrio de General. In between San Isidrio and San Gerardo de Rivas are several "cabinas" for overnight accommodations.

You are not allowed to hike up to the Refugio after midday.

Fees and permits
Entrance and one night overnight stay at the Refugio costs ~ US$20. Permits must be obtained in San Gerardo de Rivas.

Get around
Following the main trail will take up to 12 hours in poor conditions for slow hikers. Fit or experienced hikers may complete it in 6-7 hours. Follow the sign that says "Trail to Chirripo" and begin the La Cuesta del Agua uphill stretch for 2 hours. The climb crests at Monte Sin Fe. Finish the trek for the day at the Chirripo Shelter and Base Camp, 6 km below the summit. Rise the next day before dawn and trek the rest of the way to the summit. It will take about 1-2 hours to do the ascent.

See
La Amistad International Park Cloudforest, Costa Rica Paramo, Monte Sin Fe, Rabbit Valley, Cerro Terbi. You will get a vista of the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean from the top on a clear day.

Do
Hike up the highest mountain of Costa Rica.

Eat
This operates on a pack it in, pack it out philosophy. There is no place to purchase food, so you must bring all your own supplies on the hike.

Sleep
The Chirripo Shelter/Base Camp offers basic bunk accommodations in a shared facility. Registering in advance with the park service in San Gerardo de Rivas will ensure that there is adequate space for the night you intend to stay. Be sure to bring sleeping bags with you.

Lodging
At an altitude of roughly there is a lodge where you can stay overnight and then hike up to the peak in the morning.

Camping
Tent camping is prohibited.

Stay safe
It is best not to hike alone, and recommended to go with a local guide. The weather conditions can create an extreme (and cold) environment on the top of the peak and having a knowledgeable guide can be an asset in an emergency. Adventure Life offers guided 3- and 4-day packages with accommodations at Pelicano Lodge before and after the summit.

Go next

 * San Isidro de El General - Walk down to the exit and take the bus back.
 * Tapantí National Park
 * Los Quetzales National Park

title: Chirripo National Park


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Chisago City

Chisago City is a northern suburb of the Twin Cities and located in the Chisago Lakes area, comprising Lindstrom and Center City, the county seat of Chisago County in east central Minnesota.

Get around
U.S. Highway 8 serves as a main route for the city.

title: Chisago City


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Chisumulu Island

Chisumulu Island is the smaller sister island to Likoma Island in the Mozambican territorial waters of Lake Malawi/Nyasa. Both Likoma Island and Chisumulu belong to Malawi.

Get in
A ferry runs twice a week from Cobuè in Mozambique to Likoma Island. The same ferry also stops off at Chisumulu Island en route to Nkhata Bay back on mainland Malawi.

Sleep
The Best place to stay is Wakwenda Retreat. phone 0999348415. camping. dorm. rooms. $4/$6/$14. The illala ferry stops directly opposite the Wakwenda Retreat.

title: Chisumulu Island


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Chita

Chita (Russian: Чита́ chee-TAH) is in Zabaykalsky Krai. This former restricted military city has developed quite rapidly, if unevenly, because of the city's position on a main land-trading route with China. Hastily-constructed highrises sit beside ramshackle wooden huts where pensioners trudge to the local water pump even in the -40° mid-winter.

Understand
Many travellers bypass Chita if they leave Russia via Irkutsk and Ulan Ude to travel on to Mongolia and China. However, Chita is worth a look. Westerners will often be treated as an object of curiosity as they are rare, but Siberians pride themselves on their hospitality; just a little time spent getting to know any of the locals will be richly rewarded.

By train
Chita is served by the Trans-Siberian Railway.

By bus
A service operates to Ulan Ude, but the frequency depends on the season.

By plane
There are airlines from Moscow-Ural Airlines and S7 (Siberian) have regular flights. Direct flights to/from Ekaterinburg are possible. For Moscow, everyone in Chita tends to take a train to Irkutsk and fly from there as to do so is much cheaper. There is also a twice a week hap-hazard service to Beijing via Hailer on Air China, but it is regularly cut short, requiring you to take the train.

The civilian airport (Kadala) is a few kilometres from the town centre, but rather than taking an expensive taxi to or from the city, hop onto a 'marshrutka' taxibus. In the city, these go from the large concourse between the train station and the cathedral; any marked 'аэропорт' (airport) will go there.

The airport has very few facilities so bring food and drink if you plan to wait for a while (you will probably have to wait 24 hr or so anyway due to delayed flights, fuelling problems and drunken crew).

Get around
The public transport system is well developed, with trolleybus journeys at ₽10 and any taxibus ('marshrutka') journey at ₽15.

If you need a taxi, walk beyond the cabs waiting at the station and into a nearby street, the price magically falls with distance from the station. Agree the price with the driver up front and he will stick to it.

Learn
If you are interested in local history you can visit the Regional Museum of Kuznetsov. (Russian:Забайкальский краевой краеведческий музей имени А.К. Кузнецова) Go north from the railway station to the crossroads of Leningradskaya and Babushkina and turn to the right. Address : ул. Бабушкина, 113.

Sleep
The central Zabaikalye and MontBlanc Hotels have Western prices and semi-Western standards, whilst cheaper hotels such as one on the junction of Osipenko/Petrov streets will offer a basic room for ₽1000 per night.

Panama City complex is another more expensive option, far out in the suburbs, and Hotel Turist on Babushkina is home to myriad nomadic market traders and rampant prostitution.

There are no Western-style hostels in Chita.

Cope
Remember that Russians are often rude to strangers. On the contrary, they are open, hospitable and kind to those they know. Just persist and be polite and people will often soften once they realise you are a clueless foreigner: younger students in particular may speak a little English and be keen to practice.

If you really become desperate to find an English speaker, walk into the Faculty of Foreign Languages on the junction of Babushkina/Butina (closed in the summer). The staff and students will be delighted to meet you.

title: Chita


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Chitose

Chitose (千歳) is a city of 97,000 people (2017) in Ishikari, Hokkaido. Chitose is one of the gateways to Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Lake Shikotsu and Mount Tarumae. It is home to the biggest international airport in Hokkaido and closest airport to Sapporo

Tourist information site
The city has an official multilingual guide site.

By plane

Getting there and away:
 * By bus – Skybus operates a door-to-door shuttle.
 * By train – JR trains run every 15 minutes directly to Sapporo station (36–40 min; unreserved ¥1,040, reserved ¥1,340).

By train

 * Chitose Line : Bibi - Minami-Chitose - Chitose - Osatsu
 * Chitose Line (branch line) : Minami-Chitose - New Chitose Airport
 * Sekishō Line : Minami-Chitose

By car
Chitose is accessed by two expressways with an interchange in the west and another in the north on a separate expressway and the Chitose-Eniwa Junction connecting with the Eastern Hokkaido Expressway in the northwest. Chitose is also linked by National Route 36, National Route 274, National Route 276, National Route 337, and National Route 453.

Go next

 * Eniwa
 * Sapporo
 * Otaru
 * Kuriyama
 * Abira
 * Atsuma
 * Hidaka
 * Tomakomai
 * Noboribetsu

title: Chitose


text:
Chitradurga

Chitradurga is a town in Karnataka in India.

By road
Chitradurga is 200 km northwest from Bangalore. You can reach the city via the NH4, which takes approximately 3.5 hr by car. You can also take any number of public buses that run from Bangalore to the Davanagere side which is a five-hour journey.

Understand
Chitradurga derives its name from Chitrakaldurga. History dates Chitradurga District to the period of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Located at the base of a chain of lofty peaks, Chitradurga is characterized by boulder-strewn landscape. The whole district lies in the valley of the Vedavati River, with the Tungabhadra river flowing in the Northwest.

History
Chitradurga has its name embedded in the Indian Epic, Mahabaratha. As per the epic, a man-eating giant named Hidimbasura lived in the Chitradurga hills. When Pandavas were exiled, Bhima and the giant had a war and he killed Hidimbasura. The boulders there were used as part of the arsenal. The city rests on boulders which are the oldest rock formation in the country.

Get around
Local transportation from the main bus station to the Fort is available. This will suffice for backpacker and a low budget traveller. It is always preferable to travel around in a car. There is safe and sufficient parking available at the entrance of the fort.

See

 * Chitradurga is famous for its Fort. The Fort build on the north eastern base of a cluster of rocky hills commenced during the 10th century AD. Under the rule of Palegars, the fort came under the rule of Hyder Ali in the 19th century later inherited by Tipu Sultan.
 * Jogimatti : 10 km south of Chitradurga is this hill resort, at a height of 3803 ft (1160m). Himavatkedra, a waterfall that flows through the rocks, has created a natural cave, that has a Shiva Linga and idols of Veerabhadra and Basavanna. There is a zoo and a garden here.
 * Chandavalli: Chandavalli Lake Garden (Chandavalli Vana) is 13 km away from Chitradurga bus station. You can reach there by auto rickshaw. If you are coming by private vehicle then ask the local people they will guide you properly.

Eat
Famous for Churmuri, Menasinkayi bajji (Chilli Bonda). There are some good hotels and restaurants in and near Chitradurga. You can visit Lakshmi Bhavan Tiffen Room on the way from the bus stand to the fort. Hotel is famous for Dose (a traditional breakfast option of Karnataka)

Sleep
Hotel Ravi Mayur International, NH4 near by Rural Police station. Luxury rooms with AC and Non-AC rooms

Go next

 * The historic Hampi ruins are 150 km to the north.

title: Chitradurga


text:
Chitradurga (district)

Chitradurga is a district in Karnataka State.

Cities

 * Chitradurga
 * Challakere
 * Hiriyur

Get in
Chitradurga is at junction of National Highway 48, 50 and 369. The national highway 48 connects Mumbai to Bangalore via Pune KSRTC buses from  Bangalore to Davanagere are available frequent intervals. There many private buses plying on this routes from Bangalore towards Dharwad, Belagavi, Kolhapur, Poona and Bombay. Chitradurga comes one hour before Davanagere city while coming from Bengaluru. Few Karnataka state highway (SH) 48,438, pass through it. Limited trains are available.

See

Other places of interest:

 * Chandavalli kere- 8 km from fort
 * Muruga rajendra Mutt with 20 to 25 acres of garden around it, NH4 highway
 * Jogimatti- A hill station- 10 km from fort
 * Aadumalleshwara- A reservoir of few wild animals- On the way to Jogimatti

Eat
There are few restaurants available in chitradurga: Aishwarya fort(NH4), Amogha International(Inside the city, Near santhe maidaana), Naveen regency(NH4) ...

Stay safe
Some of the roads to remote villages are isolated and dark without street lights at night. B.S.N.L cellular or mobile signals are available in Chitradurga district.

Go next

 * Shimoga
 * Ballari
 * Tumkur
 * Dakshina Kannada
 * Karwar
 * Udupi
 * Dharwad
 * Lakkundi
 * Aihole
 * Hassan

title: Chitradurga (district)


text:
Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot (चित्रकूट Citrakūṭ) is a culturally and archaeologically significant town in Bundelkhand, split between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Though relatively unknown to tourists, the area is a pilgrimage destination known for a number of important temples and sites mentioned in Hindu scripture. It is well worth visiting if you have the time.

Many people gather here on special Hindu occasions throughout the year, each Amavasya, Somwati Amavasyas, Deepawali, Sharad-Poornima, Makar Sankranti and Ramanavami, and for general celebrations. These follow the Hindu calendar, so dates in the Western calendar change yearly.

Noted Ayurvedic and yoga centres like 'Arogyadham' are located in Chitrakoot and there are also Free Eye Hospital Camps.

By train
is the closest railway station to the town. It is served by 2190 Mahakoshal Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) and 5009 Chitrakut Express from Lucknow.

By bus
You may get in by bus from Lucknow, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Jhansi, Jabalpur, Satna and Varanasi.

By plane
Prayagraj and Varanasi  are nearest airports to Chitrakoot.

By car
Chitrakoot is from Varanasi and it takes about 5 hours to reach there. Typical cab fare will be about ₹3,500+tolls. One may also take a train from Varanasi via Manikpur Jn which takes 5 1/2 hours and costs ₹1000 or less.

Get around
Tuktuks and terrain vehicles take pilgrims from one site to another, prices are generally fixed but beware "official guides" and drivers who loiter in or around hotels.

See

Do
Walk around Kamdgiri Hill, a holy site where many pilgrims walk barefoot and push coconuts. Don't miss the huge unsigned spiral well on the left of the path maybe 50m from the turn off to the cable car up the nearby hill. There are lots of tourist shops and monkeys.

Enjoy the view of pilgrims bathing in the Ghat.

Go shopping for second hand clothes left by other pilgrims (or "found" by locals). Piles of clothes can be found on the edge of town on the road to Kamtanath Mandir. Shirts are about ₹40. Enjoy the aerial view of Chitrakoot by taking the 5-minute Hanumandhara Ropeway ride to the Hanumandhara Temple where an eternal spring exists with no known source. Legend has it that the spring materialised when Hanuman (the monkey god) came back after burning Lanka and asked Ram to put out the fire in his tail. Locals claim that the water has miraculous healing properties. The ropeway ride saves you from climbing up 650 steps and costs ₹130 for a two-way ticket (as of 10th August 2021).

Eat
Only local eateries/dhabas serving Indian cuisine are available and the town is notably short of good restaurants.

 * Mata Shri Jai Devi Anand Ram Jaipuriya Smriti Bhawan, Chitrakoot. Ph : 05198-210204
 * Kamad Giri Bhawan, Ramghat, Chitrakoot.

Drink
Chitrakoot is a Hindu pilgrimage site, so no alcoholic products are legally available in town and being seen drunk would likely cause you trouble. More expensive hotels may be able to help.

Budget:

 * There are several cheap hotels near the train station, some on the right have cheap dormitories and all seem to accept foreigners.
 * There are several cheap hotels near the train station, some on the right have cheap dormitories and all seem to accept foreigners.
 * There are several cheap hotels near the train station, some on the right have cheap dormitories and all seem to accept foreigners.

Other:

 * Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Ashram "Shringar Van", Satna Road, Chitrakoot, MP. Ph. 07670-265526, 9893120194
 * Pitri Smitri guesthouse directly on the ramghat 09450223214
 * Kamadgiri Bhawan Ratnawali Marg -07670-265357
 * Rohini Lodge ramghat
 * MP Agrasen lodge Ratnawali Marg -07670-265350
 * Agrawal Dharmshala Utarabazar Ramghat Rathikothi Utarabazar Ramghat
 * MP/UP Tourist Banglow Maa Ji Dharmshal Utarabazar Ramghat
 * Mata Shri Jaidevi Anandram Jaipuriya Smriti Bhawan, Chitrakoot. Ph : 05198-210204
 * Annapurna (Vinod Lodge), Near Ramghat. Ph : 05198-224415
 * Roopali Lodge, Railway Station, Karvi, Chitrakoot.

Respect
This region is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and unlike in Varanasi or areas more visited by foreigners, not much funny business will be tolerated.

It is expected for you to abstain from drinking and using cannabis in public, and you probably shouldn't at all.

Interfering with the pilgrims by taking intrusive photos or detracting from the holiness of the various sites will earn you a lot of frowns; this includes posing for selfies too close to the holier sites with the multitude of pilgrims who will likely ask.

Go next

 * Prayagraj
 * Khajuraho
 * Varanasi
 * Panna National Park

title: Chitrakoot


text:
Chitral

Chitral is the capital of Chitral District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan.

By car
It takes about 8 to 10 hr drive from Islamabad to Chitral.

The more popular route by land is from Gilgit - taking 14 hr if all the jeeps on the 5-7 steps of the route are co-ordinated. This route is considered the safest and most scenic.

Another land route is from Peshawar. Jeeps leave Chirtal Mayoon (Rs 600) at 4AM in Khyber Bazaar and take 14 hr, crossing over the beautiful Lowri Pass. However, this route has sometimes been closed due to fighting, so check on current conditions before planning your journey.

As regards the Kalash Valleys, jeeps are available in the morning and mid afternoon (Rs 80 or 1000 for 'special taxi') which run via Ayun. Roads to Valley are unmetalled and on one side of the jeep are Hindukush and on the other side is the river. A Rs 200 toll applies to enter the valleys. Most people only visit central valley Bambore at where there are many hotels & other amenities. Rumbur is less often visited but has a higher proportion of kalash and a greater historical significance to the kalash people (but watch out for the converted Afghan-Kalash at the northern end of the valley who, while not dangerous, are unfriendly to foreigners and enemies to the kalash as the result of them squatting on kalash lands).

By bus
When the passes are open, microbuses run from Peshawar to Chitral. The journey takes around 12 hr and crosses the Malakand and Lowari passes. The route is often closed in winter due to snow. Direct buses only run at night. If you travel during the day you will have to change buses at Dir.

Shared jeeps run from Chitral to Mastuj and Chitral to Khot Valley from where it's possible to pick up the NATCO bus to Gilgit. This will require a night in Mastuj.

See

 * Kalasha Valleys - home to the waning and fascinating Kalasha people.
 * Tirich Mir, at 7708 m the highest mountain in the region

Do

 * Fishing
 * Sightseeing

Kalash Festivals
The Kalash are a tribe with a long history, who have a religion and culture of their own. The Kalash are famous for their festivals. Locally brewed mulberry wine is drunk in copious quantities. The Kalash people celebrate three main festivals in a year.

Organized to pay thanks to the Almighty on the arrival of spring season.
 * Joshio Chilmjusht (14-15 May)

To pay homage to Almighty because of grapes and other ripe fruit. They prepare wine, cheese, corn, etc.
 * Uchao O Utchal (19-20 August)

A winter festival celebrated to welcome the New Year. It is celebrated by feasting, drinking, merry making and giving thanks to God. Winter is full of snow, rain and cold wind. People rejoice with wine, fruit, assemble for dancing, singing and enjoy every event and moment.
 * Choimusk (7th to 22nd December)

Sleep

 * Terichmir View Hotel, Shahi Masjid Rd. Situated on the bank of the Kunar, Chitral River. Has decent accommodation and a beautiful view of the city at the footstep of Terichmir Mountain.
 * Mountain Inn in the bazaar: this hotel has a beautiful apple orchard and decent rooms that are relatively inexpensive. Does not offer much view, but if you are in Chitral for work or plan on travelling all day, this is a good place to stay.
 * Barakai, Nnear AKRSP office and WWF field office. This is a very secluded hotel, if you want your privacy. It was built on the mid-2010s.
 * Barakai, Nnear AKRSP office and WWF field office. This is a very secluded hotel, if you want your privacy. It was built on the mid-2010s.

Go next

 * Gilgit - jeep rides are possible via the Shandur Pass

title: Chitral


text:
Chittagong

Chittagong (officially Chattogram) is the main international seaport and second largest city in Bangladesh, on the Bay of Bengal. The city is the headquarters of many Bangladeshi companies, including the Chittagong Stock Exchange. According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, Chittagong is one of the ten fastest-growing cities in the world.

Understand

Chittagong is one of the great port cities of Asia. It flourished on the Maritime Silk Road and was the eastern terminus of the Grand Trunk Road. It was visited by famous medieval explorers like the Venetians Niccolo de Conti and Caeser Frederick; the Arab traveller Ibn Battuta; and the Chinese admiral Zheng He. The Portuguese, Mughals and British controlled the port in successive periods until the 20th century. It became a major financial centre and the largest port in modern-day Bangladesh after the Partition of British India.

Today, Chittagong is a fairly large metropolitan area with a population of about 6.5 million. As in Dhaka, its streets are filled with masses of rickshaws. Rolling hills and greenery dot the landscape. The Karnaphuli River is a burgeoning hub of shipping. Chittagong puts in a little more effort than other Bangladeshi cities to keep its streets and sidewalks clean. The city's residents are called Chittagonians. Foreigners will notice a distinct increase in nuisance from beggars in certain intersections, like the Central Railway Station. Beggars come from different parts of Bangladesh because Chittagonians are more prone to charity than people in other parts of the country.

The old quarter of the city is home to several historic mosques and Sufi shrines. The Anderkilla Imperial Jame Mosque was built by the Mughals after they conquered Chittagong in 1666. It once formed part of a large hilltop fort. The Sufi Shrine of Bayazid Bostami has a pond full of turtles. The former Portuguese settlement is located in Patherghatta. It is home to the descendants of Portuguese traders, who are known locally as Firingis. The area has several churches, including the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chittagong. Chittagong is also the seat of the Bengali Buddhist priesthood.

The busiest parts of the city are Station Road, Strand Road, GEC Circle and O.R. Nizam Road. The affluent neighborhoods of Khulshi and Nasirabad are home to the city's middle and upper classes. Chittagong has many influential business families.

The city is home to prominent gentlemen's clubs, restaurants and golf courses.

The Chittagonian enthusiasm for inviting people to massive feasts is a bit of legend both locally and elsewhere. Known as mezbani these feasts feature a tremendously hot curry, usually of beef. If you're not used to it, approach with caution. You might also be able to find some of the world's best lobsters here, as Chittagong is the center of the Bangladeshi seafood industry.

Climate
Chittagong has a tropical monsoon climate: hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March). The city is vulnerable to North Indian Ocean tropical cyclones. The deadliest tropical cyclone to strike Chittagong was the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone, which killed 138,000 people and left as many as 10 million homeless.

Economy
The contribution of Chittagong to the national GDP of Bangladesh is about 12 per cent. Chittagong contributes 40% of Bangladesh's industrial output, 80% of international trade and 50% of government revenue. As of June 2015, Chittagong Stock Exchange had a market capitalization of $32 billion with over 700 listed companies. Major Bangladeshi companies such as M. M. Ispahani Limited, BSRM, AK Khan & Company, PHP Group, James Finley, Habib Group, S Alam Group of Industries, CMark Group, KDS Group and TK Group of Industries etc. have offices in Chittagong. State-owned companies include Pragati Industries, Jamuna Oil Company, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation and Padma Oil Company. The Special Economic Zones include the Karnaphuli EPZ and the Korean EPZ. Major industrial sectors include petroleum, steel, shipbuilding, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, jute, leather products, vegetable oil refineries, glass manufacturing, electronics and motor vehicles. In 2011-12, Chittagong exported readymade garments worth about US$ 4.5 billion to the international market. International banks like HSBC, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, National Bank of Pakistan, Standard Chartered, Citibank NA and Habib Bank Limited operate their operations in Chittagong.

Language
Local residents of Chittagong speak the Chittagonian language. However, signboards and bus/train stations have instruction signs both in Bengali and English.

By plane

 * is served by most major domestic and many international air carriers as the second largest and busiest international airport in Bangladesh. It has flights from Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Dubai, Bangkok, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Kuwait. Domestic services include several daily flights with Dhaka.

For departing flights:
 * Allow plenty of time for security screening, especially on those days when major conventions end. Or if possible schedule your flight at another day/time.

To travel between the airport and your Strip hotel:

 * Taxis cost Tk 200–500 from the airport to a Strip location.
 * Autos cost Tk 100–250 from the airport to a Strip location.
 * Buses cost Tk 5-30 each way and depart every 10–20 minutes, sometimes more than an hour.

By train

 * Trains run to Dhaka, Sylhet, Mymensingh and other cities. The main route out of Chittagong runs north to Comilla and Akhaura, from where the routes to Dhaka and Sylhet diverge. The train station is on Station Road just west of Jubilee Road. Chittagong is a terminal station on the metre gauge eastern section of the Bangladeshi Railway. The headquarters of this railway are located here. Train journeys are, in general, cheaper than bus journeys. The best bet for a tourist is to make reservations at the station or a travel agency. Trains are popular so book in advance.

By bus
There are 2 spots in the city where the major 'private companies operate from and have offices - just to the south of GEC Circle on CDA Ave, and on Station Road near Hotel Golden Inn. Greenline, Silkline and Shohag are the nicest and have frequent services to Dhaka (Tk 1200, 6-8 hours) and Cox's Bazar (3-4 hours). Greenline also offers the only direct bus to Sylhet (Tk 550, 7-8 hours).

Local buses to Cox's Bazar (৳140, 3-4 hours) run frequently throughout the day from Cinema Palace Bus Station, about 1 km north of the Station Rd area.

 * Chittagong Bus Depot, . Station Road at Batali Road, across from the Old Railway Terminal.
 * Chittagong Bus Depot, . Station Road at Batali Road, across from the Old Railway Terminal.
 * Chittagong Bus Depot, . Station Road at Batali Road, across from the Old Railway Terminal.
 * Chittagong Bus Depot, . Station Road at Batali Road, across from the Old Railway Terminal.

Chittagong is the eastern terminus of the Grand Trunk Road, a historic highway that runs through parts of four countries — Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan — all the way to Kabul at the western end.

By car
Chittagong is the focal point of the national highway system in Bangladesh. Cars can be used to travel from the Indian border, but the border with Myanmar remains closed.

By boat

 * BIWTC has an office and launches its ferries from Sadarghat, about 1 km south of the train station down Sadarghat Rd. Barisal is the main destination, from where you can continue to Dhaka.

Get around

Getting around in Chittagong is always an adventure. Traffic is, by and large, horribly congested and many drivers will think nothing of quoting ten times the going price to a tourist. Agree on prices before setting off. Transport in Chittagong is similar to that of the country's capital Dhaka. There are various bus systems with different routes, taxis, and smaller 'CNG' taxis which are basically tricycle-structured motor vehicles. Also, traditional manual rickshaws are very common.

By foot
Walking is also a possibility as the town isn't too confusing, but keep an eye out as the streets can be very busy, especially around Station Rd and Jubilee Rd. If travelling along the Strip, walking is a reasonable option as the hotel-casinos are close to each other. However, what may look to be a short walk of only a couple of hotel casinos away may be farther than you expected as the resorts often look closer than they are due to their large size.

By bicycle
Many locals of lower classes often use bicycles as a primary form of transport. They can be useful in their ability to squeeze through tight situations, where traffic may prevent a large vehicle from moving. Some newer roads in the capital have dual bike/rickshaw lanes. Although, there is little opportunity to buy or rent a bike, plus the roads and traffic are in such bad condition that the chance of an accident is high.

By rickshaws
Rickshaws are a kind of three-wheeled, pedal-powered cycle with seats in the back to seat passengers and a driver in the front. They are good for short distances, or places which are too far to walk but too short for taking a bus/taxi/auto-rickshaw. Rickshaws don't use meters, so establish a price before getting on. Tk 20-100 is reasonable for most journeys of a few kilometres.

By bus
All parts of Chittagong are well connected by buses and with tickets ranging from Tk 5-50 (Tk 1.42/per km), are very cheap; but also quite crowded most of the time. Some buses are provided air-conditioned service. As bus stops do not have bus routes written properly, it can be difficult to find your way. Asking other people at the bus stop is often the best way to find out about bus routes to your destination. However, the buses are pretty frequent, running every 15-20 min or so on most routes. There is one kind of bus in Chittagong:

Route 1: to
 * Total distance 10 km; New Market – Laldighi – Anderkilla – Nabab Siraj Ud Dawla Road – Chowk Bazaar – Kapasgola – Badurtola – Bahaddarhat

Route 2: to
 * Total distance 14 km; New Market – Laldighi – Anderkilla – Jamal Khan – Chowk Bazaar – Medical/Probartak – 2 No. Gate – Muradpur – Bahaddarhat – Sharafat Petrol Pump – CMP Rastar Matha – Kaptai Rastar Matha

Route 3: to
 * Total distance 14.5 km; New Market – DC Hill – Kazir Dewri – Almas – Wasa – GEC – 2 No. Gate – Muradpur – Bibir Hat – Oxygen – Fatehabad – University of Chittagong

Route 4: to
 * Total distance 15 km; New Market – Tigerpass – Lalkhan Bazar – Wasa – Garib Ullah Shah Mazar/GEC – Jhautola – AK Khan – Colonel Hat – Bhatiari

Route 6: to
 * Total distance 16.60 km; Laldighi – New Market – Tigerpass – Dewanhat – Badamtoli (Agrabad) – Barek Building – Saltgola – EPZ – Bandartila – Cement Crossing – Kathgar – Patenga Sea Beach

Route 7: to
 * Total distance 16.1 km; New Market – Tigerpass – Dewanhat – Badamtoli (Agrabad) – Boropole – Alangkar – Bhatiari

Route 8: to
 * Total distance 8 km; New Market – Tigerpass – Lalkhan Bazaar – GEC – 2 No. Gate – Bayazid Bastami – Oxygen

Route 10: to ।
 * Total distance 25 km; Kalurghat – Kaptai Rastar Matha – Bahaddarhat – Muradpur – 2 No. Gate – GEC – Lalkhan Bazaar – Tigerpass – Dewanhat – Badamtoli (Agrabad) – Barek Building – Saltgola – EPZ – Bandartila – Cement Crossing – Katgor

Route 11: to
 * Total distance 23 km; Bhatiari – Colonel Hat – AK Khan – Naya Bazar – Boropole – Saltgola – EPZ – Bandartila – Kathgar – Patenga Sea Beach

Counter-bus
Metro-Prabhati Paribahan's counter-based metropolitan bus service has several stops on the 22 km stretch of the metropolitan area from Patenga to Bahaddarhat bus stop. A minimum of Tk 10 should be paid for a bus ride (4 km). After that, the fare is Tk 1.60 per kilometre. There are 10 counters for buses going from Kaptai to Patenga Beach and 12 counters for buses going from Patenga Beach to Kaptai. There are counters in various stoppages including Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, 2 No. Gate, GEC, Wasa, Dewanhat, Agrabad, EPZ.

By taxi
Taxi (usually with a driver) is required to see many of the far-flung sites within and around Chittagong. Taxis ply the roads, some yellow and some black, all with or without meters. Black taxis start the meter at Tk 15 while yellow taxis have slightly higher standards in terms of comfort, and start at Tk 20. Black taxis are typically in notoriously poor condition and lack air conditioning. Yellow taxis are required to have air conditioning; the fleet consists mostly of Toyota Corollas, with some Mitsubishis and Hondas. The yellow taxis are also considered far safer, in comparison to black taxis and auto-rickshaws. Uber is available.

By auto rickshaws
Auto rickshaws (also called CNG taxi, or simply CNG) are good for shorter trips. Always in a distinctive green livery, auto rickshaws are three-wheeled partially enclosed contraptions that run on CNG and can seat three-four people in the back. In general, they are much cheaper than taxis and can be hailed from the street easily.

By local train
There are limited demo services on Chittagong's railways, but the facilities are a far cry from the user-friendly railway stations. For the most part, train stations are inconveniently located. There is no passenger service at the Chittagong Railway Station outside rush hour.

The Bangladesh Railways website does not accept foreign credit cards.

Do
There are a few amusement parks and public parks in Chittagong:

Fishing
Go fishing for Anabas, Cat fish, Ruhi, Tilapia etc.

Shows
There are places where you can buy show tickets, but generally not for the really popular shows on the same day of the performance. Most were only cash accepted.

Events
Chittagong continues to grow with annual events and festivals held throughout the city.

Sales tax
The local sales tax is 15%. Only groceries and prescription drugs are exempt.

Like most of the city, Chittagong has not implemented a tax refund mechanism for international travelers. The only retailers that can sell tax-free items to international travelers are the duty-free shops at Shah Amanat International Airport.

Basics
Most hotel/casino resort complexes in Chittagong have a gift shop open 24/7 that offers basic traveler supplies and sundries. Hotel gift shops are outrageously expensive and should be avoided except for emergencies.

Shopping malls
There are a handful of shopping malls:

Individual stores

The Bangladeshi book industry is huge, producing annually about thousand of books in English, and obviously far more in Bengali and other native languages. Chittagong is the hub of this industry, so small, specialist bookstores abound. Locally produced books can be very inexpensive and many popular Western titles are published and available here for a fraction of their original cost.

In general, good places to buy books are in Cheragi Pahar, Andarkilla, Station Road, GEC circle, plus shopping malls in the city.

Eat

The people of Chittagong love oily and spicy food. This can be a problem for foreigners and lead to upset stomachs. If you are a foreigner you should consider sticking with better restaurants and eating in large hotels. Never eat green salad which comes with your meal as you will not know if it has been washed in sanitized water. Just a handful of restaurants in town use sanitized water to wash salad and this is a recipe for explosive diarrhea.

One oddity in Bangladesh is that restaurants advertise themselves as, for example, "Zaman Hotel and Restaurant" but do not operate a hotel. Where you eat at one of these establishments you can tease them by demanding a room. One-room stores also have signboards advertising themselves as 'department stores'.

Tea and coffee
The teahouses and coffee houses in Chittagong are mostly large, heavily standardized chains. The most common location for various kind of tea is Dalla, besides Agrabad Access Rd. The most common coffee house is Rio Coffee, found in multiple locations across the city, most notably around Naval Avenue Rd.

Bars and nightclubs

Alcoholic beverages are available at five-star hotels in Chittagong as well as a number of private clubs. Four hotels in Chittagong have bar license; Radisson Blu Chittagong Bay View, Hotel Agrabad, Silmoon Hotel, Saint Martin Hotel Limited and The Peninsula Chittagong. While all the hotels are expensive for drinks. Like the Peninsula is expensive by far (more than Tk 550 for a large can of Heineken).

Here you can buy Bangladeshi local branded (Karrew and Co, Darshona) alcohol (vodka, rum, malted, whiskey, gin) from licensed ware houses situated in Shadar Ghat (Kazi & Co.), BRTC, near the railway station (foreign liqueur) and from Dewan Hat.

If you want to go to a bar, then you can go Hotel Shahjahan at Shadarghat, a well-furnished bar, or there is also a bar at BRTC bus stand adjacent to the foreign liqueur shop.

It is possible to buy alcoholic beverages, ranging from local brews to smuggled beer and counterfeit brand alcohol. Local booze is available legally at government licensed shops. There is one in Agrabad on Sheik Mujib Rahman road. It is tucked into an alley way a short distance from the first floor "Siemens" showroom.

Counterfeit branded alcohol is available from illegal traders in Kulshie and other areas. But beware: deaths have been reported from consumption of adulterated liquor, and headaches and illness are more common. Smuggled booze is sometimes available on the sea beach.

Nightclubs and dancing
There are three private clubs in Chittagong. The premiere club is the Chittagong Club which is located at number one Empress Road. The Chittagong club has a bar license and serves foreign alcohol in addition to local gin, vodka, and whiskey. Chittagong Club membership is closed but foreigners can apply for "temporary membership" for up to two years.

The Chittagong Institute is a far smaller club but it does maintain a bar. It is located in Jamal Khan road.

The Catholic club opens membership to all persons for a small fee but membership applications are only accepted once a year (during December?) It maintains a small bar serving local drinks.

Splurge

Internet
Most hotel charge a separate fee for WiFi usage. Internet cafes can be found around the intersection of Station Rd and Jubilee Rd and around GEC Circle and Agrabad. Price around ৳40-60/hr.

Telephone
The country code for Bangladesh is 880. Add 31 to make a call for Chittagong.

Postal and courier services

 * Government courier
 * Private courier companies
 * Private courier companies

Chittagong emergency numbers
Here are the Chittagong emergency contact numbers

ATMs
If you need cash, it's a good idea to get it before going inside bar or club. American Express, Master Card, VISA Card have accepted almost all the ATMs booth in the city. Check ahead to see if your bank has locations in Chittagong. On the Strip, the following ATMs are safer bets:

 * For the customers, there are ATMs inside the branch at Agrabad Commercial Area.
 * For customers, there are ATMs inside the district main branch at Sheikh Mujib Road and different places of the city.

Smoking
In the public places and stand-alone bars, smoking is permitted. However, there are some areas which are smoke-free but may be very close to smoking areas. Nightclubs and lounges may allow smoking if they do not serve food. For all other standalone restaurants, bars, convenience stores, grocery stores and airport facilities smoking is prohibited.

Laundry service
Laundry service is offered in most laundry shops and hotels, even in budget accommodations. If you would rather save the money and do it yourself, buckets are found in almost all public bathrooms - but perhaps wash it out well first.

 * Exercising outdoors is not recommended due to the level of pollution and swimming in rivers is also not recommended. Instead, look for a hotel with a gym or a pool since many offer day passes. You can always try a morning or evening walk in the parks.

Foreign missions and High Commissions

 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇮🇹 Italy
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia
 * 🇲🇹 Malta
 * 🇲🇲 Myanmar
 * 🇵🇭 Philippines
 * 🇷🇺 Russia
 * 🇿🇦 South Africa
 * Korea
 * 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
 * 🇹🇭 Thailand
 * 🇹🇷 Turkey

Go next
Chittagong is a great base for exploring the famous hill districts.

 * Chittagong Hill Tracts -
 * Bandarban - a hill district two hours by bus
 * Rangamati - a popular town in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
 * Cox's Bazar - The country's premier beach resort, about 3 hours south by bus.
 * Teknaf
 * St. Martin's Island - an island in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal.
 * Comilla - World War Cemetery, Kotbari Baddha Bihar, BIRD, Salban Bihar

title: Chittagong


text:
Chittagong Division

Chittagong Division (officially Chattogram Division) is a region in Bangladesh.

Cities

 * - a bustling city, the capital of Chittagong Division, and the 2nd largest city in the country
 * — 4th-largest city in Bangladesh
 * - a hugely popular beach resort, filled to the brim with affluent Bangladeshi holiday makers.
 * - a lush and verdant rural area belonging to the Chakma tribe, is open to visitors, as is Kaptai Lake. The lake, ringed by thick tropical and semi-evergreen forests, looks like nothing else in Bangladesh. While the lake itself is beautiful, the thatched fishing villages located on the lakeshore are what make a visit really special. Boats that visit the villages leave from Rangamati. Bring your swimming gear because you can take a plunge anywhere.
 * - a hugely popular beach resort, filled to the brim with affluent Bangladeshi holiday makers.
 * - a lush and verdant rural area belonging to the Chakma tribe, is open to visitors, as is Kaptai Lake. The lake, ringed by thick tropical and semi-evergreen forests, looks like nothing else in Bangladesh. While the lake itself is beautiful, the thatched fishing villages located on the lakeshore are what make a visit really special. Boats that visit the villages leave from Rangamati. Bring your swimming gear because you can take a plunge anywhere.

History
During the Pakistan period Chittagong division included the Sylhet Division then as district of East Pakistan.

See

 * Chittagong Hill Tracts - Decidedly untypical of Bangladesh in topography and culture, the Chittagong Hill Tracts have steep jungle hills, Buddhist tribal peoples and relatively low density population. The tracts are about 60km (37mi) east of Chittagong. The region comprises a mass of hills, ravines and cliffs covered with dense jungle, bamboo, creepers and shrubs, and has four main valleys formed by the Karnapuli, Feni, Shangu and Matamuhur rivers. The hills rise steeply thus looking far more impressive than what their height would imply and extend in long narrow ridges. The highest peaks on the northern side are Thangnang, Langliang and Khantiang while those on the southern side are Ramu, Taung, Keekradang, Tahjindong (4632 ft, highest in Bangladesh), Mowdok Mual, Rang Tlang and Mowdok Tlang. The Hill Tracts is divided into three districts, namely Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban.

 * Visit the shipbreaking yards on a day trip from Chittagong, a phenomenal (and dangerous) practice.

Stay safe
It is important to be particularly careful in this area as kidnappings have, can and do occur. Also, the violence shown in this particular region is commonplace, and it is usually due to politics. You should be very cautious, and maybe think again if going to the Chittagong Hill Tracts Region is entirely necessary.

title: Chittagong Division


text:
Chittagong Hill Tracts

Chittagong Hill Tracts is a region of the Chittagong Division in Bangladesh.

Understand
You have to arrange permits! For each sub district of the Chittagong Hill Tracks if you are a foreigner. They will actually check you. You might receive a police escort (and need to pay for it), if you want to go outside the main cities. They fear you might otherwise be captured by rebels and used to influence the political process. This has actually happened with a group of Scandinavian engineers.

It is though actually a quite beautiful region. The Region would be ideal for hiking.

Rangamati has a nice lake. A trip to the water fall is nice (although the boats are a bit noisy).

authors: আফতাবুজ্জামান

title: Chittagong Hill Tracts