Deep forests, high hills, innumerable springs and the simple life of the tribes attract the tourists to Bandarban. Bandarban is wilder than the other two hill districts, Khagrachari and Rangamati. The tribes that live in Bandarban districts are Murma, Khiang, Murong, Tripura, Tonchongya, Bom, Lusai, Pangkho, Chakma, Khumi and Chak. So Bandarban is a town of mixed cultures. There are Hindu temples, Kang (Buddhist temples), mosques, churches, and holy places of every tribe.
Bandarban district is in Chittagong division. It is 92km from Chittagong city. This district is divided into seven upazilas (sub-districts). Bandarban town is 71 feet above sea level.
The most attractive spots in Bandarban are:
Meghla Tourist Complex: It is 4km from Bandarban town. There is a beautiful lake here. Its water is greenish and crystal clear. There is a children’s park, hanging bridge, mini-zoo and a rest house here.
Prantik Lake: It is 14km from the town. This wonderful lake area is full of green trees. It is a very choice spot for filmmakers.
Shailpropat: It is on the 8km point of the Bandarban – Ruma road. It is an excellent creation of nature. The hill grown spring has been flowing for thousands of years and clay has changed into stone here.
Shapla Chattar: Shapla Chattar means the yard of water lily. It is on the other side of Sangu Bridge. The Bangladesh Army has built an artificial fountain here. Colorful lights create a charming scene here at night.
River view: It is near the Roangchari bus stand on the bank of the river Sangu. One can view the river clearly from here.
Chimbuk: The hill Chimbuk is called the Queen of Hills. It is 26km from Bandarban town. It is about 2000 feet above sea level. The Bay of Bengal may be seen from here on clear days.
Boga Lake: The lake is on a hill. It is about 800 feet above sea level. Its water is blue. It is 20km from Ruma upazila town.
Keokradong: The highest peak of Bangladesh. It is difficult to access here. It is 30km from Ruma upazila town and 92km from Bandarban district town. The only transport from Ruma is your feet.
The names of Tajingdong, Ruma Fountain, hilltop rest house and Bomang king’s palace are also mentionable as tourist spots.
Quick Tips:
Traveling in Bandarban is somewhat difficult. Foreigners have to report to the nearest police station before traveling in any part of Bandarban.
Tajingdong, Boga Lake and Keokradong are in Ruma Upazila. But there is no transport, or even any road from Ruma upazila town. And there is no electricity in those spots.
Best Way To Get Around:
Bandarban district town is easy to access from Dhaka or Chittagong. Chittagong is linked with Dhaka by air, rail and road.
From Chittagong, public buses are available to Bandarban town. But the rest of the district is not easy to access. Old jeeps go to the sub-districts at a 2/3 hours' interval in the daytime.