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Bandarban is a district in South-Eastern Bangladesh, and a part of the Chittagong Division and Chittagong Hill Tracts. Bandarban (meaning the dam of monkeys) is also known as Arvumi or the Bohmong Circle (of the rest of the three hill districts Rangamati is the Chakma Circle and Khagrachari is the Mong Circle). Bandarban town is the home town of the Bohmong Chief (currently King, or Raja, Aung Shwe Prue Chowdhury) who is the head of the Marma population. It also is the administrative headquarter of Bandarban district, which has turned into one of the most exotic tourist attractions in Bangladesh since the insurgency in Chittagong Hill Tracts has ceased more than a decade back.
Main Attraction: The panoramic view of Bandarban will surely allure tourists to extend their stay, roaming around in the natural wilderness of this hilly district. Tourists can also have a good access to a wider variety of activities, hill trekking to remote tribal villages, bird watching, enjoying waterfalls in a day trips and a better chance of interacting with the local tribal and ethnic culture in the surrounding areas. A great Buddhist water festival held in every April.
Boga Lake: Popularly known as Boga Lake, is a natural water body in the hill district of Bandarban. The lake attracts tourists because of its scenic beauty but it is inaccessible by motorized transports. Only those who dare the trouble of trekking through the bushes can visit the lake, whose main source of water are natural springs. The local tribal people use the water of the lake for drinking. It is gainsaid that there is a hot spring at the bottom of the lake and the colour of the lake’s water changes due to the discharges of the hot spring. No fish can live nor any weed can grow in this lake. Ethnic people living around the place believe that Boga Lake and its surroundings are the abodes of goddesses, to whom they pray for good harvests of Jhum cultivation. The lake is much adored by the hill, people who yearly offer sacrifice to propitiate the spirit of the water.
Mountain Keokeradong Discovery Trek: This is a typical trek including a river journey by country boat to Ruma, then a moderate day’s hike up a river bed to the lily filled Boga Lake and a lakeside Bawm tribal village. Below the lake one will find a Marma village. Hillside trekking in Bandarban is not so easy for visitors who are lack of mental courage.
Chimbuk Hill: Chimbuk is a unique hill having different kinds of tourist attractions. It is called the Darjeeling of Bengal. It is 2000 feet high from the sealevel. Chimbuk Hill is 25 Jun. away to the south of Bandarban Town, with zigzag road and view of the Sangu river give a thrilling experience for lifetime.
The top of this hill is plain and it is like a plateau. The dance of cloud snowballs with the rise of the morning sun and immediately before the sun sets in.
The visitors can easily touch the cloud by stretching hands. The environment is so captivating that one would like to return here time and again. Tourists can spend a night in the rest-house on the top of Chimbuk hill on prior permission taken from the Roads and Highways Department. A 4 wheel drive by Chander Gari (local means of transport) is the main means of transport to visit the place.
Ruma Bazar: Another existing event is a full-day trip to Run Bazar which is about 60 km. south-east froJ Bandarban. The place is famous for its sceni beauty and the tourists can spend some hours OVe here before taking a journey back to Bandarban b Sampan (boat). Ruma is abundant with triba diversity. It is the home of the Murang tribe.
Rijuk Waterfall: This natural mighty waterfall is situated at Ruma Here, the water incessantly falls into the rivel Sangu frorp about a 300 feet high hill dazzling like pearl particles in the space creating an unparallel beauty of the nature. The surrounding is equally captivating with vast greenery all around and myriad kinds of trees and shrubs.
Prantik Lake: Prantik Lake is situated about 11 km. from the town. The Murang tribes dwell in the bank of this lake. Its convenient location has already made it a hot spot for the picnic lovers.
Rajbari and the Museum: The historical Bohmang Rajbari IS situated in the Bandarban town. It is attractive and bears a long glorious history of several hundred years. Ancient and historical Raj Khyang is situated near this royal palace. One of the 4 statues of Buddha, which has religious importance all over the world, is kept here. One can visit the Anthropological Museum of Bandarban where the history of the local tribal life is preserved. The museum authority has set upreplicas of various tribal houses in the museum which elucidate brief idea about design and architectural structures of tribal houses.
Meghla: The MegWa Tourist Spot is situated at about 6 Jun. near the Chittagong-Bandarban Highway. Here lies a lake of extraordinary beauty. There are cottages and rest-houses for picnic. It has got a zoo and water cruising facilities in the lake. Attractive Parjatan Motel Bandarban is located on its south bank. A beautiful hanging wooden bridge enhances the beauty of this’ spot. In one side there are some constructions and facilities for the tourists like tower, restaurant etc. while on the other side there are the wildlives, natural forests and the hills.
Buddha Dhatu Jadi: It is an attractive temple located at 300 feet height on a hill at Balaghata 2 km. from Bandarban town. Its golden colour, eyecatching architecture is a feast for the eyes of the visitors. Recently, the Prime Minister of Myanmar paid an official visit to pay homage.
Ali Kadam: There are numerous settlements of the Murang and Khumi tribal people in the area. The ruins of an old town are found near the village. It is said that a Chakma Raja built his capital here and the remains of the palaces can still be traced. Ali’s Tunnel is also situated here. There are many mysterious tales regarding this tunnel.
Shaila Propat: Some 8 km. away from Bandarban, Shaila Prop at (Waterfall) is a popular spot for tourists. The walk to this spot will involve several ascents and descents along hillside. The rocky pathway is very slippery and tourists have to be cautious to avoid the chance of slip.
Sangu River: Those who have planned to trek to the river could reach from Bandarban town on foot for about 2 hours. The entire walk is a soft downhill descent and will pose no particular problem. Tourists who are interested can surely go for a refreshing swim in the river. It has strong currents in the monsoon due to rainfall but in the winter it is calm and convenient. Tourists can take a boat trip to go to Bandarban downstream.
Nil Giri: Panoramic Nilgiri Resort on the apex of the hill at Bandarban is supervised and controlled by Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Rifles. It keeps a distance of approximately 50 km. from Bandarban Town and 25 kIn. from Chimbuk hill. It is located near Jiban Nagar while making a journey towards Thanchi Upazilla. It positions on the height of about 2500 feet from the sea level.
The visitors will get the golden opportunity to have a glance of the Cox’s Bazar sea beach from Nilgiri. The security of the whole hilly area is controlled by Bangladesh Army. So the security portion is cent percent safe and hassle-free. From Nilgiri at a time you can enjoy a lot of natural beauties including the waves of Cox’s Bazar sea beach, breezy air, the colourful life of the Mru indigenous community on the horizon touching the hills, the lush greenery.
