Top Tourist Destinations in Bandarban, Bangladesh

At present, Bandarban is one of the top tourist destinations in Bangladesh, located is Chittagong Hill Tract, south-east part of Bangladesh mostly covered with extensive forest and amazing wild hilly geography.

Bandarban is an ideal place for tracking, hiking, and jungle walk for adventure loving traveler. The highest peak of Bangladesh, Bijoy of Tajingdong (4500 feet) located in Bandarban an exciting tracking route. Beside Tajingdong, Keokradong (4000 feet) is also located in Bandarban which is also a popular mountain for tracking. Boga Lake which is claimed as the highest Lake in Bangladesh lies directly on the track. You may visit Faipi, Rijuk and Patang Jhiri waterfall just the way to Bandarban - Ruma- Koikhong Jhiri - Boga Lake – Tajingdong route. You must be amazed observing the illusive landscape and crystal clear water of Boga Lake. You have to stay nearby Boga Lake at tribal village at night to track to the above mountains. It will be a great chance for you to know the indigenous hill tribe, their raw expression, culture and heritage living at the tribal villages. But traveling in the above route is really a rough and tough Journey. You should start your journey in group and avoid family tour in the route. You may visit Baklai Waterfall of Baklai para, Thanchi which is claimed the top highest waterfall (380 feet height) in Bangladesh.

For family tour, you prospect a smooth and hazard free journey. In this sense, you may prefer Nilgiri Resort which is situated at Thanci Upazilla, just 47 kilometer south-east from Bandarban town, about 2200 feet above the sea level and.  I think it will be one of your great memories in your life if you have a chance to stay a moon light night in Nilgiri. You may also visit Nilachal tourist spot which is just 5 km away from Bandarban town. Nilachal is one of the nearest and most beautiful tourist place in Bandarban located at Tigerpara. Locally it is known as Tiger Hill. Someone call it Swarga Puri (place of haven) due to its illusive and wild unexpressed landscape. Golden Temple (Buddhist Dhatu Jadi) is one of the most visited tourist destination in Bandarban for a day journey. It is called as the largest Buddhist temple in Bangladesh, located in Purpara on the top of a high hill (about 200 feet high), just 4 km away from Bandarban city aside the Bandarban-Rangamati roadway. The Shoilo Propat waterfall located at Milanchori, 4 km from the Bandarban town, is also an excellent refreshing site maintained by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. Chimbuk hill is one of the top tourist destinations in Bandarban, just 26 kilometer away from Bandarban town under Thanci upazilla. It is called the Darjeeling of Bangal. Someone think, it is more than Darjeeling! Meghla tourism complex and Hanging Bridge is located just opposite the district council, 4 km away from the Bandarban city aside the road to Keranirhat maintained by district administration. Meghla Parjatan Complex is one of the most amazing and highly visited tourist destinations in Bandarban. Cruise on Sangu River may be the complete summary of the natural beauty of Bandarban. Upabon Parjatan is another beautiful tourist spot in Bandarban at Naikhong Chari. It is a wonderful gift of nature with an amazing lake surrounded by forest. A lot of birds are chirping here and you will surely be amazed looking at the big rocks and surrounding natural scene of the lake. Upabon Parjatan complex is just 2 Kilometer away from Nikhongchori Upazilla sadar. Prantik Lake is another beautiful tourist spot in Bandarban. This amazing place will certainly soothe both eyes and mind. Prantik Lake is an ideal place for travel. Nafakhum is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bangladesh and an excellent place to travel. Zingsiam Saitar is one of the wonderful waterfalls at Ruma Para at Ruma upazilla in Bandarban. The unique feature of Zingsiam Saitar is when the water of Zingsiam Saitar fall down, it divides in three different paths and then the view of this waterfall looking excellent.

It is not the end. The indigenous hill tribes lives scattered over the hills in Bandarban are one of the attractions to all visitors and also a good place for study tour and thesis. There are about 14 different tribes live in Bandarban. Among them Mogh, Murong Chakma, Khumi, Tipra, Bawm, Tanchongya, Khyang are remarkable. The rich flora and fauna, picturesque bamboo cottages of tribal families and their life style have made the entire area an attractive tourist destination in Bandarban, Bangladesh.

Golden Temple (Buddhist Dhatu Jadi) Bandarban

Buddhist dhatu jadi is called as the largest Buddhist temple in Bangladesh, located in Purpara on the top of a high hill (about 200 feet high), just 4 km away from Bandarban city aside the Bandarban-Rangamati roadway. Buddhist Dhatu Jadi is popularly known as Golden Temple of Bandarban among the tourists. It is one excellent place for a family tour and has great tourism value.  The golden temple is built at the top of 60 meter hill, completely followed the architect of South-East Asian region and It is the second largest  Buddhist temple in Bangladesh. The constriction of the golden temple was started in 1995 and completed in 2000. 

The attractive design of Buddhist heritage and tradition with the modern archeological technique and golden touch of the site make very amazing to the visitors. There is a museum aside the golden temple. The tourists may learn about the historical background of Buddhist religion from here. There is a pond on the top of the high hill and it is called the pond of God.

You can observe a complete glance of Bandarban town standing in the golden temple. You may also see Sangu River, Bandarban Radio Station and the surrounding wild landscape standing at the Golden Temple. A number of festivals are arranged here in every year.

How to Go Golden Temple

When Golden temple is very near of Bandarban town, you may go there by Auto rickshaw, Chander Gari (Public Jeep), car etc. It may take about 30 minutes to go. 

Foods and accommodation in Golden Temple

There is neither good hotel to stay nor good foods facility to take. From my own experience, it is better to stay in Bandarban Town and take dry foods to start journey to Golden temple in the morning.

Bijoy, the highest peak of Bangladesh, Tajingdong Bandarban

Bijoy is the highest peak of Tajindong about 4500 feet high from the sea level. Bijoy is claimed the highest peak of Bangladesh located at Ramakri, pangsha union under Ruma upazilla, about 70 km away from Bandarban town of Bangladesh. Locally it is called “Tajing” (means Great and Dong means Hill). So Tajingdong means Great Hill.

A number of tourist visits Tajingdong every year to enjoy the experience of adventure, thrill and surprise. It is a place of amazing beauty. The landscapes of this area certainly soothe both eyes and mind of the adventurous travelers. You will pleased with the dazzling beauty of green hill, zigzag wild pathway, hilly landscape of road side, hide and seek of the fold of clouds on the top of the area. The sceneries of gentle breeze, lovely clouds, hills, waterfall, river and Lake and so on must be one of the unique and amazing memories in your life.

Various tribal communities are developed there around the mountain. You must be amazed visiting their raw expression and natural life styles. There are a number of mountain chains in the remote area and the area is rich in wild flora and fauna.

How to go to Tajingdong

For visiting Tajingdong you have to use Bandarban- Ruma- Bogalake- Tajingdong route. From Bandarban town you have to go to Ruma bazaar about 50 kilometers away from Bandarban. You should remember that after 4 pm you are not allowed to leave Ruma for visiting Bogalake, Keokradong or Tajingdong. As it is a remote area and the road is not so smooth. From Ruma you can hire a Chander Gari (public jeep) up to Koikhong Jhiri. It may be cost about tk 2000-2500. You can also go there by local Chander Gari. You may also hire a boat from Ruma Bazar to Koikhong Jhiri. Then you have to walk to the Boga Lake and finally to Tajingdong. Winter is the high time to hike Tajingdong. You should never think to hike Tajingdong in rainy season.

Foods and Accommodation in Tajingdong

There is no good communication, no restaurant and no formal accommodation. From my own experience, it is better to stay in tribal village in Boga Lake at night to start journey to Tajindong. In the next day, you should better to start your journey early in the morning from Boga Lake to reach Tajingdong. It may take approx 7 to 8 hours to reach Tajingdong depending on the weather, guide, your stamina and other various factors. It is better to take local guide with you from Ruma.

Consciousness and Precautions before trekking to Bijoy, Tajingdong

• You have to mentally and physically prepare for a tough and rough journey in such long way. 

• Be careful about using local water.

• Bandarban is a malaria affected zone. So you should carry mosquito resistant kits.

• You should carry some dry foods, water purifying kits and first aid box with particular medicine.  

• You should carry water resistant bag and should avoid heavy loads of baggage.

• Be friendly with the local inhabitants.

• Be careful and seek permission from the ethnic people before taking photographs.

• There is no mobile network, no good road communication.

• Try to avoid unknown persons and strangers on the way.

• It is better to start the journey in a group.

•  All non-Bangladeshis are required to contact and register his particulars in the local police station

Nilachal Bandarban

Nilachal Tourist Place, Bandarban

Nilachal is one of the nearest and most beautiful tourist place in Bangladesh located at Tigerpara, just 5 km away from Bandarban. Locally it is known as Tiger Hill. Someone call it Swarga Puri (place of haven) due to its illusive and wild landscape. Nilachal is about 2000 feet above the sea level. Standing at the peak of Nilachal, you can see the total glance of Bandarban town. you can also enjoy even the appearance of Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach when the sky is clear. The most lucrative scene of Nilachal is the eve of sunset. In the rainy season, you will be thrilled walking through the clouds! It is not bearable the beauty of a moonlight night in a full moon. I confidently believe; you can never forget such a night if you feel the same once. In a winter morning, the full area is covered with the dense of fog that will be awesome foggy experience for you. On the way to Nilachal, you can enjoy the tribal villages with their own culture and expression that must astonish you.  The entrance fee at Nilachal is Tk 20/head.

How to go Nilachal

Nilachal is very near (Just 5 km away) from Bandarban town. You can use your own car, auto rickshaw or Chader gari (public jeep) to visit Nilachal. From my own experience, Chander Gari up-down reserve may cost Tk below 1000.

Food and Accommodation in Nilachal

There is a rest house having two guest rooms maintained by district administration, a cafe and some tea stalls of local habitants in the Nilachal tourist place. To reserve Nilachal rest house you may contact to 0361-62605, 01714230354, 01712718051. Since Bandarban town is near, you may stay in Bandarban town and visit Nilachal also.

Meghla Tourism Complex and Hanging Bridge, Bandarban

Meghla tourism complex is located just opposite of the district council, 4 km away from the Bandarban city aside the road to Keranirhat maintained by district administration. Meghla Parjatan Complex is one of the most amazing and highly visited tourist destinations in Bandarban; visitors come not only from Bangladesh but also from all over the world. There are a mini safari park, zoo, Children Park, hanging bridge, cable car and an artificial Lake at the down of the hills where you may enjoy paddle boat.

There are two attractive hanging bridges at Meghla Eco Park, Bandarban. When you cross the hanging bridge of Meghla tourism complex, you will obviously feel the illusive beauty of hilly nature. You can also enjoy the wild flavored landscape of entire area by riding on a cable car. A lot of tourists make their destination to Meghla every year to celebrate their vacations. Entrance Fee in Meghla Tourism Complex is Tk 30/head. The complex is also a popular place for picnic party. To revive yourself, you must visit Meghla at least once, when you visit Bandarban.

How to Go Meghla, Bandarban

Meghla Tourism Complex is just 4 km away from Bandarban City. Visitors can hire a private Jeep (Chander Gari) or auto rickshaw to go to Meghla. Local buses (Bandarban to Keranirghat rout) are also available to go there.

Food and Accommodation in Meghla

There is a beautiful rest house having 4 rooms to pass your leisure in Meghla Tourism Complex maintained by Bandarban district administration. No food and drinks from outside are allowed in Meghla Parjatan Complex but you can take lunch packet only if you stay whole day there. To book a room in the rest house, you may officially contact to 0361-62506, 01714230354. Hire of each room is Tk 2000/day. There are two restaurants named “Holiday Inn resort” and “Parjatan Motel” outside the Meghla Tourism Complex. Accommodation facilities are also available there.