Foy's Lake
A railway-era lake turned hillside playground
Overview
Foy's Lake is a man-made lake cradled by low green hills in the Khulshi and Pahartali area of Chattogram (Chittagong). Unlike the city's beaches, this is a freshwater escape — a winding sheet of water surrounded by wooded slopes, just a short ride from the centre yet feeling a world away from the traffic.
The lake was created in 1924 when a stream was dammed to supply water for the Assam Bengal Railway. First called Pahartali Lake, it was later renamed after an English railway engineer, Mr Foy. What began as a piece of colonial-era engineering has since become one of the most popular leisure spots in the south-east of the country.
Today the lake sits at the heart of a privately run complex. The Foy's Lake Concord amusement park offers fairground rides, a roller coaster and a dry park, while a separate water park called Sea World draws crowds in the heat. Paddle boats and lake cruises let you drift between the hills, and the hillside Foy's Lake Resort makes a comfortable overnight base.
It is, above all, a family destination — busy with children at weekends and on holidays, and quieter and more scenic on weekday mornings. With Chattogram Zoo close by, it is easy to fill a whole day in this corner of the city.
History & Culture
The lake dates to 1924, when British engineers of the Assam Bengal Railway dammed a hill stream to create a reservoir; it was originally known as Pahartali Lake.
It was later named after Mr Foy, an English railway engineer associated with the project.
In recent decades the lake and its surrounding hills have been developed into the Foy's Lake Concord leisure complex, adding the amusement park, the Sea World water park and a resort.
Top things to do in Foy's Lake
Ride the amusement park
Spend a few hours at Foy's Lake Concord, with its roller coaster, fairground rides and dry-park attractions — a hit with children and families.
Cool off at Sea World
On a hot day, the separate Sea World water park with its pools and slides is the main draw; bring a change of clothes.
Go boating on the lake
Take a paddle boat or a lake cruise to glide between the green hills and see the resort from the water.
Stay at the hillside resort
Book a room at the Foy's Lake Resort for lake-and-hill views and an easy base for the complex.
Visit Chattogram Zoo
The city zoo sits close by, making it easy to combine the two into a full family day out.
Foy's Lake in pictures
Photos via Wikimedia Commons under their respective Creative Commons licences. Click a photo credit for the source and full licence terms.
Highlights
- ✓A man-made lake winding among green hills in the city
- ✓Foy's Lake Concord amusement park and roller coaster
- ✓Sea World water park
- ✓Boating and paddle boats on the lake
- ✓Hillside Foy's Lake Resort
- ✓Chattogram Zoo close by
How to get to Foy's Lake
Foy's Lake is near Pahartali, roughly 8-10 km from the centre — about 20-30 minutes by CNG auto-rickshaw, taxi or ride-share.
Fly Dhaka to Chattogram (Shah Amanat International) in about an hour, then continue across the city to the lake.
Intercity trains and buses reach Chattogram in roughly 5-7 hours; from the station or terminal it is a short ride to Foy's Lake.
Best time to visit Foy's Lake
October to March is the most comfortable time, with dry, mild weather for the rides and boating.
April to June is hot and humid — which is when the Sea World water park is busiest.
The monsoon (July to September) is green and atmospheric but wet; rides may pause during downpours.
Where to stay
The hillside Foy's Lake Resort sits within the complex with lake and hill views, or stay in Chattogram city, which has the full range of hotels a short ride away.
What to eat
- 🍽️Snacks and meals at the restaurants within the complex
- 🍽️Mezban beef, a Chattogram speciality, in the city
- 🍽️Kalo bhuna (dark, slow-cooked beef) at city eateries
- 🍽️Fresh seafood across Chattogram
Travel tips
- 💡The amusement park and the Sea World water park need separate tickets.
- 💡Visit on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds.
- 💡Carry a change of clothes and a towel if you plan to use the water park.
- 💡Combine it with the nearby Chattogram Zoo for a full day.
- 💡Mornings are cooler and quieter for boating on the lake.
Nearby Attractions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Foy's Lake?+
Foy's Lake is a man-made lake among the hills of Chattogram, created in 1924 to supply water for the Assam Bengal Railway. It is now the centre of an amusement-park, water-park and resort complex and a popular family destination.
Is there a water park at Foy's Lake?+
Yes. A separate water park called Sea World, with pools and slides, sits within the complex alongside the dry amusement park. The two require separate tickets.
How do I get to Foy's Lake?+
It is within Chattogram city, near Pahartali, about 8-10 km from the centre — roughly 20-30 minutes by CNG auto-rickshaw, taxi or ride-share.
Can you stay overnight at Foy's Lake?+
Yes. The hillside Foy's Lake Resort offers rooms with lake and hill views; otherwise the full range of hotels in Chattogram city is a short ride away.
Is Foy's Lake good for families?+
Very much so. With fairground rides, a roller coaster, the Sea World water park, boating and the nearby zoo, it is the city's favourite family day out, especially at weekends.
