Sitakunda in One Day: Chandranath Hill and Guliakhali Beach, with Costs
A night bus or train, Chandranath Hill at dawn, lunch in Sitakunda Bazar and sunset on the grassy shore of Guliakhali. The full day hour by hour, the route there and back, and what it costs.
- From Dhaka
- About 210–220 km, 5–6 hours by night bus
- Chandranath Hill
- About 1,020 ft, 4–5 hours up and down
- Guliakhali Beach
- About 5 km from Sitakunda Bazar
- Cost
- About ৳2,000–3,000 per person by non-AC bus from Dhaka
- Best time
- October–March; the hill at dawn, the beach at low tide
Trip ticket
Take a night bus from Dhaka and you can see Sitakunda's two best places in a single day: a dawn climb up Chandranath Hill, about 1,020 ft high (4–5 hours up and down), and sunset at Guliakhali beach, about 5 km from Sitakunda Bazar. By non-AC bus the whole trip usually costs ৳2,000–3,000 per person, and the best time to go is October to March.
Sitakunda sits about 37 km north of Chattogram city, right beside the Dhaka–Chattogram highway. Hills rise on one side and the Sandwip Channel lies on the other, so you get a hill and the sea in the same day. Below is the full day, hour by hour.
How to get to Sitakunda from Dhaka
By bus (the easiest way)
Take any Chattogram-bound bus from Sayedabad, Jatrabari or Arambagh and get off at Sitakunda Bazar. A bus leaving around 11 pm to midnight arrives between 5 and 6 am, which is exactly when you want to start up Chandranath.
| Bus | Approximate fare (2026) |
|---|---|
| Non-AC | ৳650–800 (usually the full Chattogram fare) |
| AC | ৳1,100–1,800 |
Tell the counter when you buy the ticket that you are getting off at Sitakunda. Many AC buses don't like to stop on the way, so a non-AC bus is often easier.
By train
None of the intercity trains in our timetable stop at Sitakunda, so by rail you ride to Chattogram and come back north by bus. For a day trip the most convenient train is the overnight Turna:
| Train | Leaves | Arrives | Fare (Shovon chair / Snigdha / AC berth) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turna, Dhaka → Chattogram | 11:15 pm | 5:15 am | ৳450 / ৳857 / ৳1,591 |
| Turna, Chattogram → Dhaka | 11:30 pm | 5:10 am | same |
Local buses to Sitakunda leave from Alankar or A.K. Khan in Chattogram city and usually take about an hour. Off days and times can change, so check our train schedule before you go.
From Chattogram city
If you are staying in the city, take a morning bus from Alankar or A.K. Khan to Sitakunda Bazar and follow the same plan. Come back the same way in the evening.
The one-day plan, hour by hour
- 5–6 am: Get off at Sitakunda Bazar, freshen up and have breakfast. Buy water and a light snack.
- 6:30 am: CNG from the bazar to the foot of Chandranath Hill. Bamboo walking sticks are sold at the bottom (৳20–30); take one.
- 7–8:30 am: The climb. One way usually takes 1–1.5 hours; stop at Birupaksha temple on the way.
- 8:30–9:30 am: Chandranath temple at the top, with green ridges on one side and the Sandwip Channel on the other.
- 11 am: Back down, return to the bazar and rest.
- 12:30 pm: Lunch in Sitakunda Bazar.
- 3:30 pm: CNG to Guliakhali beach (about 5 km).
- 4–5:30 pm: Walk the grass, the tidal channels and the edge of the keora forest, then watch the sunset. In November and December the sun sets at about 5 to 5:15 pm.
- 6 pm: Back at the bazar before dark, then a night bus to Dhaka or on to Chattogram for the Turna.
Chandranath Hill: what to know
Chandranath temple stands on the highest peak of the Sitakunda range. It is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, counted among the Shakti Peethas. There is no entry ticket.
- Height: About 1,020 ft.
- Paths: A stairway on one side and a dirt hill trail on the other. Many people go up the stairs and come down the trail, which is easier on the knees.
- Time: Allow 4–5 hours for the round trip.
- Bring: At least a litre of water, shoes or sandals with good grip, a small bag.
- Crowds: Every year in the Bangla month of Falgun, hundreds of thousands climb the hill for the Shivachaturdashi fair. If you are only sightseeing, avoid those few days.
The temple area is a place of worship, so follow local customs and keep the music off. More detail is in our Chandranath Hill guide.
Guliakhali Beach: what to know
Guliakhali is not a sandy beach. In Muradpur union of Sitakunda, a carpet of green grass runs along the shore, cut by countless winding tidal channels, with a keora mangrove forest on one side. Entry is free.
- Tides: At high tide the grass goes under water; at low tide it reappears. If you want the green carpet, check the Chattogram tide times before you go.
- Mud: Your feet can sink in the mud beside the channels. Wear sandals rather than shoes and take care crossing the channels.
- Getting back: The road has little lighting, so leave right after sunset.
- CNG: A CNG from the bazar usually costs ৳200–300. Ask the same driver to wait, and you won't have to hunt for a ride after dark.
More is in our Guliakhali Beach guide.
How much does a one-day Sitakunda trip cost?
A rough per-person budget for a group of 3–4 travelling by non-AC bus from Dhaka:
| Item | Approximate cost per person |
|---|---|
| Dhaka–Sitakunda–Dhaka bus (non-AC) | ৳1,300–1,600 |
| CNG (hill foot + Guliakhali, shared) | ৳200–400 |
| Breakfast, lunch, water | ৳300–500 |
| Walking stick and extras | ৳50–100 |
| Total | About ৳2,000–3,000 |
By AC bus the total can be about ৳3,000–4,500 per person. Alone, you pay the whole CNG fare yourself, so it costs a little more. Our trip planner helps you work out your own numbers.
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If you have another day
Mirsharai is just north of Sitakunda. On a second day you can go kayaking on Mohamaya Lake and see Khoiyachora waterfall. Sitakunda has a few basic hotels for the night; for better ones, stay at GEC Circle or Agrabad in Chattogram city (about ৳2,000–5,000). For more winter ideas, see our best winter destinations list.
A few tips before you go
- In the monsoon the hill path gets very slippery; winter is the most comfortable season.
- Don't leave plastic bottles or wrappers on the hill; carry them down in your bag.
- Don't stay alone on the hill or the beach after dark.
- Keep your phone charged; the network can be weak at the top.
- Book your return bus ahead, especially on Thursdays and Fridays.
Questions and answers
Can you see Sitakunda in one day?
Yes. Take a night bus from Dhaka, climb Chandranath Hill at dawn, watch the sunset at Guliakhali beach in the afternoon and take a night bus back. You don't need a hotel.
How do I get from Dhaka to Sitakunda?
Take a Chattogram-bound bus from Sayedabad, Jatrabari or Arambagh and get off at Sitakunda Bazar; a non-AC seat is about ৳650–800 and the ride takes 5–6 hours. By train you go to Chattogram and come back north by bus.
How high is Chandranath Hill?
Chandranath Hill is about 1,020 ft high. The Chandranath temple stands on top, the highest peak of the Sitakunda range.
How long does it take to climb Chandranath Hill?
Usually 1–1.5 hours one way, and 4–5 hours for the climb, the descent and a rest at the top.
Where is Guliakhali beach?
In Muradpur union of Sitakunda upazila, Chattogram, about 5 km from Sitakunda Bazar. You get there by CNG from the bazar.
What is the best time to visit Sitakunda?
October to March, when the weather is dry and cool and the climb is easier. Visit Guliakhali at low tide to see the green grass at its best.
Full guides to the places in this post
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