Bandarban

Bandarban

Bandarban is in Chittagong division and located in southeastern Bangladesh. It is one the most attractive travel destination in Bangladesh for its adventurous characteristics and heavenly scenic beauty. This eventually gets really hard to leave if anyone visits Bandarban. The scenic beauty will undoubtedly captivate your soul. Bandarban includes the three highest peak of Bangladesh — Tahjindong (or Bijoy), Mowdok Mual (or Saka Haphong) and Keokradong. Anyone can easily hike through the jungle and hilly rivers to win any of these three god’s creations. There are so many waterfalls hidden through the hills of Bandarban would appear in your hiking. The exotic offerings such as foods, tribal handicrafts etc. Meanwhile you can easily experience the tribal culture very closely.

 Shoilo Propat Waterfalls:

Shoilo Propat or Shoylo Propat is at Milanchari and 4km from the town on the road to Thanchi. This waterfall is a tourist site maintained by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. During the rainy season, the water flow becomes really furious. While visiting this water you may want to roam around the small market near this waterfall for handicrafts, handloom products and exotic foods sold by the Panku, Lusai  community.

How to go:

After reaching at Bandarban, take local transport to reach that waterfall in Thanchi Upazila. So you can hire a private jeep or auto rickshaw to go there.

Boga Lake:

Boga Lake is the most beautiful natural lake in Bangladesh. It is also known as Bagakain Lake or Baga Lake. Boga lake is 18 kilometer away from Ruma Sadar Upozilla in Bandarban. The area of this lake is about 15 acres. It is about 3000 feet above sea level. The color of water of this lake is blue and very nice. There are many mythological stories behind the creation of this lake. There are many tourists make their way to Boga lake every year, specially in the winter season. Small tribe community like Bawm, Khumi have localities besides the Boga lake. In the rainy season, it is quite difficult to stroll beside the boga lake. The road from Ruma to Boga lake is still under construction. There waiting lots of pleasure and delight for you at Boga lake. You will definitely be amazed looking at the big rocks lying in and out of the Boga lake. You can have a camp fire beside the lake, that will be unbelievable and mind-blowing memory in your life.

Bogalake, an inscriptive endowment of beauty and pleasure at Bandarban, Bangladesh

Nature lovers always feel a thirst inside for beauty, thrill and enchantment. And the holy nature has bestowed Bangladesh with an overwhelming and unparallel creature which is publicly known as Boga Lake. Bogalake is considered as a source of wonder, unlimited beauty and adventure for the nature`s lovers and travelers. So Boga Lake is waiting with its unique beauty for those adventurous travelers who just not only want to satisfy their eyes with artificial and tedious natural beauties but also want to fill their heart with eternal joy and thrill to innovate their restless mind. And it has emerged like a holy duty of the travelers and tourists to visit the Boga Lake as soon as possible to highlight the beauty with thrill.

The origin of the name Boga lake is derived from some domestic mythological stories. The word Boga is derived from the local word Baga which means a dragon or fire. Actually some super natural stories flame the fire about the lake being the accommodation of an ancient dragon indeed and that concludes the story of the identification of Boga lake

Anthropologists define Boga lake as 2000 year old hill enclaved natural lake of Bandarban,Bangladesh. Boga lake is accompanied with deep bamboo bushes from its three sides wich are bounded by mountain peaks. Again, Boga lake is recognized as the highest natural lake of Bangladesh which is approximately 1500 ft above the sea level. Boga lake has a rectangular shap either funnel shape. But some experts argue that the Boga lake is about (3000-3700) fts above the sea levels indeed. The lake is supposed to be 38 meter deep. There remains a small spring beside the Boga lake which is called Bagachhara (153m deep). Boga lake is a closed lake and to drain out water there is no outlet. Basically Bagachhara is the fundamental source of water along with surface drainage, rain water and seepage of spring, soft and small rocks of different shapes have almost covered Boga lake surface.

The beauty and attraction of the Boga lake changes with the color change of the lake. Depending on various indicators like sun rays, clouds` humidity and the so called existence of a hot spring at the bottom of the Boga lake the water of the Boga lake takes different color at different seasons. But usually the lake water shows its extra –ordinary crystal clear mirror view of blue shade which reflects like pearls and more than enough to astonish a tourist guy.

It is easy to imagine for the common people that almost 1500 ft above sea level and unfavorable natural area of Boga lake has made it without any existence of human community or barren area indeed. But the tourists and travelers will feel relieved to know that they will find numbers of local tribes like Bawm or Bom, Khumi and others on their way and in the Boga lake area too.

Accomodation

The local tribal communities have interesting arrangements for the tourists and travelers accommodation of the Boga Lake. They have built small but attractive cottages with sufficient facilities within their range.

Budha Dhatu Jadi (Golden Temple):

The Buddha Dhatu Jadi is a Theravada Buddhist temple also known as the Bandarban Golden Temple. The Buddha Dhatu Jadi is located at Pulpara 4 kilometer from Balaghata town and 10 kilometer from in the remote Bandarban hill district, in Bangladesh. The Bandarban Golden Temple is the largest Theravada Buddhist Temple with the second largest Buddha statue in Bangladesh.

The Buddhist temple is known in local language as kyang. The Buddha Dhatu Jadi is regarded as one of the holy site for Theravada Buddhism followers and Buddhist pilgrims. This religion is practiced by the Marma or Mogh tribal group of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, a dominant ethnic group in Bandarban. They are of Arakan descent and Buddhists by religion.

The temple is situated in the hill town of Bandarban, which has two of the highest peaks hills, the Tajingdong (4,000 feet or 1,200 meters) and the Keokaradong (4,632 feet or 1,412 meters) covered with dense forests. Sangu river flows through the town. There is a waterfall nearby. The temple is built on top of a (200 feet or 60 meters) high hill. Construction of the temple started in 1995 and was complete in 2000.

The Buddha Dhatu Jadi temple attracts pilgrims and visitors in all over the world. The Buddha Dhatu Jadi is a part of the Buddhist Circuit Tour promoted by the South Asia Sub regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Tourism Development Project.

There is small pond in the temple named “The Pond of Angels” on the top of a hill. Traveler or tourist can see a total glance of Balaghata and its surrounding natural beauties from here. Many festivals are arranged here in every year.

Visitors can hire a rickshaw or auto rickshaw from Bandarban city. It is open from 5 PM to 7PM for the visitors and each visitor is charge 10 taka for entrance. A strict dress code of ‘no shorts and no shoes’ in temple precincts is followed here.

Chimbuk Hill:

Chimbuk hill is the third highest mountain in Bangladesh. Chimbuk is one of the most familiar tourist spot in Bandarban. It is just 26 kilometer away from Bandarban sadar. Chimbuk hill is about 2500 feet high above sea level. The road of this area is zigzag. So if you ride in a jeep it will be charming. While your jeep is moving through the various indigenous villages, their simplicity in human gestures will compel you to think about our predecessors struggles to cope with to maintain existence. They are as simple as nature. However when you are looking down from Chimbuk, it will get you the feelings of floating over the clouds. When it is a shiny day, you can see the shades of clouds over the hills. You will also see the beauty of Chimbuk and Nilgiri.

There are two government-owned rest-houses in this area. You have to confirm the reservation from the authority, if you want to stay here. There is an well managed canteen in that place so you can easily take food or snacks here.

Chimbuk is 26 kilometer away from Bandarban sadar. Visitor can hire a private vehicle from Bandarban sadar or you can go there by Thanci bound bus or jeep. On the way to Chimbuk, visitor has to register his name and address to the military check post.

Meghla:

Meghla Parjatan Complex is the most amazing tourist or visited spot for the tourists coming from all over the country. Meghla is in the contiguous area of the Bandarban hill district council on the gateway of Bandarban maintained by district administration. It is 4 km from the town on the road to Keranihat, which features a mini-safari-park, a zoo, boat journey, a hanging bridge and at the bottom of the hills artificial lake has been made. It is a popular place for picnic party. A lot of tourist makes the way to Meghla for celebrating their vacations.

Inside Meghla there is no arrangement for heavy food. Visitor can have snacks only. But visitor can take lunch packet, if he stay whole day there. Outside the Meghla there has two restaurants with Chinese and Continental food at Holiday Inn resort and Parjatan Motel. Accommodation facilities are also available in the Holiday Inn resort and the Parjatan Motel.

Meghla Parjatan Complex is just 4 kilometer away from Bandarban town. Visitor can hire privet Jeep or auto rickshaw for go to Meghla. Local bus is also available to go there.

 Nilachal:

There is another beautiful place to see near Meghla is called Nilachal also maintained by district administration. it is known as tiger hill. The view of Nilachal is so spectacular for snapping.

Nilachal is the nearest tourist spot from Bandarban. It is situated at Tigerpara. It is near about 2000 feet above of sea level and 5 kilometer away from the Bandarban town. From here visitor can see the total glance of Bandarban town and a vast landscape. In the rainy season visitor can be thrilled walking through the clouds. Visitor can watch a golden twilight in the evening and also enjoy an evergreen moonlight in the moonlit night. During the winter season, it is awesome at the foggy morning. On the way to Nilachal, visitor can see some tribe villages with their raw natural expression.

The tourist spot is under construction. Yet there is no food and accommodation facility. The authority has already erected infrastructures for restaurant and rest house and it will start near future. So if someone wants to stay long there, he should to take food and drinking water from Bandarban town.

Nilachal is just 5 kilometer away from Bandarban town. So visitor can hire private jeep or auto rickshaw to go there.

Nilgiri:

Nilgiri or Nil Giri is one of the tallest peaks and beautiful tourist spot in Bangladesh. It is about 3500 feet high and situated at Thanci Thana. It is about 46 km south of Bandarban on the Bandarban-Chimbuk-Thanchi road. Beside this spot you can see Mro villages. Their colorful culture and living style are surely an unexplored experience for the visitors. In rainy season here creates a spectacular scenery, the whole spot is covered with the blanket of clouds. You can enjoy a cloudy experience. Winter is waiting for you with it’s foggy gesture on the height. It is a nice place for campfire in that season. Most attractive time is the dawn. It is better if you chose to stay during 7-18 dates of a lunar month to enjoy the moonlit night. You can also enjoy the serpentine course of Sangu River. This is the most spectacular tourist spot in Bandarban and managed by Army brigade of Bandarban.

There is beautiful resort in the top of the mountain maintain by the Bangladesh Army. You have to confirm the reservation through army officer. There are three well furnished cottages ranging from Tk4000-7000. There are also three tents having 4 beds each Tk2000 per tent. There is also restaurant, helipad etc. Electricity available from 6-9 pm and temperature near 10-25 degree Celsius.

Nilgiri is 46 kilometer away from Bandarban sadar. Visitor can hire a private vehicle from Bandarban sadar or you can go there by Thanci bound bus or jeep. On the way to Nilgiri Visitor have to register his name and address to the military check post.

Sangu River

Sangu River is the complete part of the natural beauty of Bandarban. It follows a northerly circuitous course in the hill tracts up to Bandarban. It enters the district from the east and flows west across the district and finally falls into the bay of Bengal at the end of a course of 270 km. This river is flowing through the hills thousands of years. It is an important route to communicate with Ruma and Thanci Upozilla. It has huge financial interests for the population of Bandarban. This river is widely used for transportation, agricultural and other necessary products for the people of remote community.

In the winter season the current of the river almost becomes stagnant but in the rainy season the current becomes aggressive. Visitor must be attract with the beautification scattered on the both sides of it. You can find here hills, forests, falls with a river together. All the way you will be thrilled only and it is simply amazing.

You will enjoy a magnificent river cruise in Sangu and there are so many spots to arrange a picnic. You can hire traditional boats or engine boats from the old Sangu bridge or from Boatghat at Kyachingghata.

Prantik Lake

Prantik Lake is really beautiful tourist spot in Bandarban district of Bangladesh. This lake is surrounded by many kind of plants and trees. This amazing place will certainly attract tourist mind. Prantik Lake is an ideal place for travel. Prantik Lake located in a village named “Holudia” near the Keranihat-Bandarban Road. It is 14km away from Bandarban town. Volume of this area is 29 acres. Tourist can voyage the lake by paddle boat. This lake is nice place for fishing. After getting the authorities permission anyone can fishing here. Bandarban to Holudia local bus is available and from Holudia you can hire a jeep or auto rickshaw to go Prantik Lake. There is no food and accommodation facility in near Prantik Lake. So you have to manage mineral water and food with your own arrangement. Tourists can stay whole day till evening. But in the evening you have to return in Bandarban.

Mirinja Parjatan

Mirinja tourist spot (Parjatan complex) is situated at Lama upazilla of Bandarban district in Bangladesh. It is wonderful tourist spot in Lama. It is about 1500 feet high from sea level. In good weather, you can view Maheskhali Island, Bay of Bengal, Matamuhuri River and Lama upazilla at a glance. Parjatan Corporation developed an attractive tourist spot in that area. There is an observation tower in this spot.

Mirinja tourist spot situated at 16 Kilometer point of Fashiakhali – Lama – Ali Kadam road of Bandarban district in Bangladesh. From Bandarban Sadar to Lama upazilla it is 70 kilometer distance. So you can go Mirinja tourist spot by jeep/chander gari or private vehicle. There is a government owned rest house in that area. If you want stay there, you need proper authorization from the authority.

Upabon Parjatan

Upabon Parjatan is another beautiful tourist spot in Bandarban at Naikhongchari. It is wonderful gift of nature. Here is an amazing lake surrounded by forest.

A lot of birds are singing here and you will surely be amazed looking at the big rocks and surrounding natural scene. There is a hanging bridge over the lake and it is longer than the Meghla hanging bridge. The view of Upobon is so spectacular for snapping.

Upabon Parjatan complex is located at Nikhongchari Upazilla of Bandarban district in Bangladesh. Upabon Parjatan complex is just 2 Kilometer away from Nikhongchori Upazilla sadar. Nikhongchari Upazilla is about 110 Kilometer far away from Bandarban Sadar. You can go there by a private vehicle from Bandarban sadar. Another way is if you are in Coxsbazar then at first go to Ramu upazilla of Coxsbazar by bus and then go to Naikhongchari sadar by Jeep/Chander Gari or Auto rickshaw. There are two Government owned rest houses and one residential HOTEL IN that area. But it will be better to stay Coxsbazar hotel or you can stay Naikhongchori sadar.

Ramajadi:

The newly built Rama Jadi (pagoda) in Bandarban's Rowangchhari upazila has become the latest tourist spot in the district. Founded by U Pannya Jota Thera, locally known as Guru Bante, the 108-foot-high pagoda is one of the highest Buddhist temples in the country. Many Buddhist devotees and hundreds of tourists from different parts of the country visit the Pagoda every day to enjoy the beauty of the temple and its surrounding landscape. It took nearly twelve years to create its splendid beauty since its construction work began in 2005, said the temple authority. Located in Bandarban-Rowangchhari road, adopting Arakanese architecture, the temple was opened for all recently. About three kilometres from the district town and surrounded by the lush green trees of the forest, the temple can be an oasis of solitude far away from the maddening crowd of the city life in future. Surrounding the Rama Jadi there are more 27 small pagodas, which are about 15-foot high.

Its founder U Pannya Jota Thera is also the founder and chief monk of Golden Temple, the largest Theravada Buddhist Temple with the second largest Buddha statue in Bangladesh. U Pannya Jota Thera said, like the Golden Temple, Rama Jadi will also play an important role in flourishing tourism in Bangladesh. 

Nafakhum:

This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bangladesh. Nafakhum is situated on the wild hilly Sangu River at a remote area called Remakri of Thanchi upazilla under Bandarban Hill District in Bangladesh. Nafakhum is also known as Remakri waterfall. Every traveler should have a tour plan to visit this beautiful tourism spot of Bandarban at least once and then they will feel to visit that travel spot again and again.

How to go

Travelers should reach to Bandarban if they are interested to have a tour to this Nafakhum waterfall. There are many bus services among the districts of Bangladesh to reach Bandarban.

Rijuk Waterfall:

Located at Ruma upazilla, Rijuk Waterfall (Rijuk Jhorna) is about 300 feet high with continuous flow of water which falls into the river Sangu. This waterfall is surrounded by diverse natural resources. It is 66km southeast from Bandarban town. Rijuk waterfall is located at Ruma upazilla of Bandarban in Bangladesh. It is 66 kilometer southeast from Bandarban town. As there is no food and accommodation facility in Rijuk falls you have to carry your food and waters from Ruma Bazaar.

How to go

First need to reach at Bandarban from Dhaka by bus. Then need to reach at ‘Koikhong jhiri’, Ruma Ghat by local bus or ‘Chander Gari’. Cross river Sangu by engine boat, will take 30 minutes to reach at Ramu Bazar. At ‘Ruma Bazar’ need to hire a guide and must register tourist name, guide name and additional informations to the military check post. From ‘Ramu Bazar’ need to hire engine boat to reach ‘Rijuk Waterfall’ for two way (Up-down).

Jadipai Waterfall:

Jadipai Waterfall or Jadipai Jhorna is one of the widest water falls in Bangladesh. Jadipai Waterfall is located at Ruma upazilla of Bandarban district in Bangladesh. From Keokradong Summit to Jadipai waterfall a traveler will take about one hour walk.

How to go

Start journey from Dhaka.Dhaka to Bandarban you can travel by Bus,it can be around 7-8 hours journey.From Bandarban you have to hire a Chander Gari (Jeep) to reach Ruma. From Ruma bazar you have to hire a Chander Gari ( Jeep) to reach Boga Lake.
At Boga lake you have to stay a night because it will be evening when you will reach there.There are many Tribal villages in the area of Boga lake. You can stay the night and take dinner from here and guide will help you to find a good place. At morning you have to start journey to Keokradong as soon as possible. After reaching Keokradong you have a long way to go Jadipai.It will take 2.5 hours to reach Jadipai by feet.

Chingri Jhiri Waterfall:

Chingri Jhiri waterfall is situated at Ruma upazilla and close to Boga lake. It takes mostly one-hour-walk from Boga lake through some big rock and pebble stones.

How to go

You have to make a trip from Bandarban to Ruma by “Chander Gari” (public jeep) or a private vehicle. From Ruma you can hire public jeep upto Boga Lake. You can also walk to Boga Lake in winter season. It will require 6 hours to reach Boga Lake.

Zingsiam Saitar:

Zingsiam Saitar is one of the wonderful waterfalls at Ruma upazilla in Bandarban. The unique feature of this waterfall the water fall is divided into three different sections. Altogether these three falls makes a really amazing view. This waterfall is used by the Bawn community for their everyday needs.

How to go

If any travelers are interested to go Zingsiam Saitar then travelers should reach to Bandarban first. There are many bus services among the districts of Bangladesh to reach Bandarban.

Patang Jhiri Waterfall:

Patang Jhiri waterfall is located at Ruma upazilla and appears on the way to Boga lake. This not-so-big waterfall has some exceptional beauty in its structure and surroundings.

How to go

If any travelers are interested to go Patang Jhiri then travelers should reach to Bandarban first. There are many bus services among the districts of Bangladesh to reach Bandarban.

Faipi Waterfall:

Faipi waterfall is situated in Thaikang Para. You can visit Faipi both via Thanchi or Ruma.

How to go

To go to Faipi waterfall a traveler has to go Bandarban first. Then he can go there by using some different route. There are many bus services among the districts of Bangladesh to reach Bandarban. Dhaka to Bandarban it may cost around 550/- Taka (BDT) to the travelers if they travel by any non-ac bus service. The travel buses usually start at night. The bus service providers may offer new schedule as well. It can be around 7-7.5 hour’s journey to go Dhaka to Bandarban.

Baklai Waterfall:

Baklai Waterfall is situated at Baklai para in Thanchi upazilla in Bandarban. Baklai Waterfall is 370 feet height. Some people think that Baklai Waterfall is the top highest waterfall in Bangladesh. The view of Baklai waterfall is so amazing.

How to go

As the Baklai Waterfall is located at Thanchi so the traveler should go to Bandarban first. There are many bus services among the districts of Bangladesh to reach Bandarban.

Now the travelers have to go to Thanchi by bus or Chander Gari (Jeep) from Bandarban to reach the destination tour spot. It may take around 4.5 hours for the traveler to reach Thanchi. The distance between Bandarban to Thanchi is about 79 km.

From Thanchi Bazar to Baklai you will pass some para as like Tutong Para, Boarding Headman Para, Kaiton Para etc and it will take few hours. If a traveler wants to climb top of the waterfall it may take an hour.