Mountains or sea?

Caught between the mountains on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other, Chittagong is the perfect base for a host of day trips.

The closest getaway, Patenga beach, is 14km south of the city centre. Despite being hemmed in by a sturdy rock walls that protect against tidal waves and erosion, this is still the most popular destination for anyone seeking to get away from the city's smoke and fumes. Hire a CNG auto-rickshaw for BDT 60-70 or rent a car for BDT 500 for the trip, and head to Patenga early in the afternoon to catch a glorious sunset. It's advisable, though, to not linger too long at the beach after sundown if you don't have your own transport.

A few miles down the seafront lies the Bangladesh Naval Academy. Hobbyist-photographers will love the spot, accessible via a curving road that resembles Mumbai's famous Queen's Necklace. Incidentally, the road where the academy stands is also, like Mumbai's, called the Marine Drive due to its location.

Three to four hours away from Chittagong is Cox's Bazar, the world's longest natural sandy beach. Hop on a bus (BDT 200-500 from Station Road or bus stand at GEC Roundabout) or a rent a car (BDT 3500-5000) from the city early in the morning and hire a room (for around BDT 1000) for the day in any one of the many hotels near the beach. For a good tuck-in, look no further than Laboni Point, the main hub of the beach, which is dotted with several restaurants. Mermaid Cafe, right on the seafront, is recommended. The seafood, the music and the ambience make it the perfect place to chill out.

Himchari, located 18km south of Cox's Bazar along the seafront, is a great favourite of picnickers. The road to get there is flanked by the open sea on one side and hills with gushing waterfalls on the other. Further down, you'll find the secluded white-sand Enani beach is secluded - ideal for bathing. If the crowds get to you at Laboni, this is where you should head.

Bangladesh's most exotic location is the tiny coral island of St Martin's, 60km north-east of Cox's Bazar. Take a two-hour bus ride (BDT 100-300) from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf and hop up on one of the three ships that do the run daily to St Martin's. Ask your hotel to book you a seat on the boat.

If your answer to the age-old riddle "mountains or sea?" is the former, look no further than the regions to the east of Chittagong. Three districts comprise the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Bandarban, three hours from Cox's Bazar and about four from Chittagong, is noted for its Buddhist temples, a waterfall and a lake.

Rangamati, another very popular destination accessible from both Cox's Bazar and Chittagong (77km) is well-known for its tribal markets and a hanging bridge. The major attraction of the district, though, is the Kaptai Lake, a man-made lake created as a result of the Kaptai Dam on the Karnaphuli river. Rangamati is a small town. These places can be walking distance or you could take a rickshaw or a van. A car rented for the day could cost BDT 3000-5000 from Chittagong or Cox's Bazar.