Why tourists are flocking to Fatikchhari’s ‘Selfie Road’
Holding his phone, Jobaer Hossen stepped onto the narrow road beneath a canopy of rubber trees and posed for a photograph.
The 33-year-old had travelled from Hathazari in Chattogram to Fatikchhari after seeing pictures of the location on social media. Like many visitors, he knew it as "Selfie Road".
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"The pictures look beautiful online. But when you come here, you notice the silence, the cool air and the greenery. That's what I liked most," he said.
Located inside the government-owned Dantmara rubber estate and forming part of the Chattogram-Khagrachhari highway, the road has quietly emerged as one of Chattogram's popular nature destinations.
On weekends and holidays, groups of friends, families and young couples arrive throughout the day. Drawn by a simple attraction – a road lined with mature rubber trees – visitors stop to take photographs, stroll beneath the shade or simply enjoy the surroundings.
College student Rakib Hossain, who was visiting from Raozan with friends, said photography was initially the main purpose of the trip.
"We planned this trip mainly to take photos. But after arriving, we spent more time walking around than taking pictures," he said.
Local residents say the area's popularity has grown steadily over the years.
"Several years ago, very few outsiders came here. Now people come almost every week. During holidays, the crowd becomes much bigger," said Alamgir Hossain, a tea stall owner near the entrance.
The increasing number of visitors has also benefited local businesses, with tea stalls, snack shops and roadside vendors now relying partly on tourist traffic.
Before leaving, Jobaer reflected on what drew people to the road.
"I thought I was coming here for pictures. But now I think people come because they want to spend some time close to nature."
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