Bandarban: Heaven of Bangladesh
Brief description of Bandarban
Bandarban has been the most beautiful tourist destination of Bangladesh in recent years. Nature has adorned this region with its magnificent and splendid green ornaments. Beauty is scattered everywhere of Bandarban in magnanimous mood. One will find the virgin beauty of Bandarban on every step he or she advances. Nature is extravagant here. Behind the name of Bandarban there is an overwhelming story. Long time ago this district was a great natural habitat for monkeys and it was crisscrossed by numerous canals (jhiri). Monkeys used to collect fruits from forests on the other side of the canal and cross it. After eating and collection of fruits, they returned in the same way as a group. When they crossed canals it looked like a dam from a distance. It caught the sight of local Marma community and they termed it as Magci. Here Mag means monkeys and Ci means dam. Gradually it has been transformed in the local dialect Bandarbon. With the passage of time it has undergone a phonetic change and now it is Bandarban.
Sl | Name of Tourist Spot | Distance from Bandarban | Name of Upazila |
1. | Meghla Parjatan, Meghla | 4 Kilometer | Bandarban Sadar |
2. | Nilachal, Tiger Para | 4 Kilometer | Bandarban Sadar |
3. | Shoila Propat, Chimbuk Road | 8 Kilometer | Bandarban Sadar |
4. | Prantik Lake, Holudia | 14 Kilometer | Bandarban Sadar |
5. | Chimbuk, Thanchi Road | 26 Kilometer | Bandarban Sadar |
6. | Boga Lake, Ruma | 69 Kilometer | Ruma |
7. | Keokradong, Ruma | 84 Kilometer | Ruma |
8. | Tahjingdong, Ruma | 79 Kilometer | Ruma |
9. | Shangu River, Bandarban | 00 Kilometer | Bandarban Sadar |
10. | Golden Temple, Balaghata | 3 Kilometer | Bandarban Sadar |
11. | Nilgiri, Thanchi | 45 Kilometer | Thanchi |
12. | Mirinja Parjatan, Lama | 82 Kilometer | Lama |
13. | Upabon Parjatan, Naikhong Chari | 110 Kilometer | Naikhong Chari |
History of Bandarban
Bandarban hill district is a hub for Natural beauties. The whole landscape is covered with the zigzag courses of hills. There are 11 ethnic diversities herein Bandarban creating a versatile color of life. Shangu and Matamuhuri, these two rivers with their violent current are flowing through Bandarban in a serpentine course. The area of this district is 4479.04 Sqr km. and the total population is 3,00,740. This district has a historic past and a long nourshied heritage. In past there was a conflict regarding this region between the Tripura and the Arakan empire. It was taken over many times by these two empires. It was a part of the Horikal region in the long past. at that time there was no tribal presence in this area. After conquering this region the founder of the Tripura Empire King Juza Rupa sent his two brothers named Udoigiri Kilai and Mong Lai to Chittagong Hill Tracts and they established locality on the south hill of Matamuhuri river in 590 AC. In 953 AC Arakan King Sula Chandra took over the Chittagong Hill Tracts again. In 1240 AC. Tripura King defeated the Arakan Empire and took over. After that this region was respectively ruled by Sultan Faqruddin Mobarak Shah (1338-1349), Sultan Jalal Uddin Muhammad Shah (1418-1431), Sultan Elias Shah (1459-1474), Sultan Alauddin Hossain Shah (1493-1519) during the Sultani reign. From 1571 this region was ruled by Arakan King Mong Falaun known Sikander Shah. In 1666 during the reign of Emperor Aurongojab, it had come under the rule of Mughal empire. In 15th October 1760 Nawab Mir Kashim handed over the region to the British East India compny and in 1785 they established the full pledged authority over the region. During the British era in 1860 under the reign of frontier tribes Act hilly region was taken away from the chitttagong district forming a new chittagong hill district and a hill superintendent was appointed. In 1891 according to the local custom it was divided into three circles. The present Bandarbn district was included in the Bomang circle. The head of the circle is called Circle Chief. Locally they are known as King also. Bomang dynasty has been managing their activities since 1804. In may1900 deputy commissioner was appointed as the administrative head and the duty to levy taxes was left to Circle chief, Mouja Headman, Karbari, Roaza under the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regultion 1900. In 1956 in the constitution of Pakistan this region was granted an Exclusive Area status. In 1962 it was amended as Tribal Area. In British period Bandarbn sadar, Nikhhongchori, Ruma, Lama were included in this circle. In 1948 Bandarban and 1971 Lama were made Mohokuma. In 18th April 1981 Bandarban and Lama Mohokuma were formed as a separate district named Bandarban. It is a rich region for anthropological interest. There are eleven ethnic diversities in Bandarban. It is evident from the anthropoligical history of migration of this region that over the last 4/5 centuries there was a gradual migration of these ethnic groups from the different neighboring regions like Myanmar, China, Mijoram and Tripura of· India. From historical perspective we know that many non tribe people came to this area for economic and business interests and it was flourished during the reign of Mughal Subedar Shayesta Khan. Upto 1760 chittagong hill tracts was ruled by Mughal and then it was called Islambad. At present the percentages of tribe and non tribe population respectively are 48% and 52%. In 1947 British rule was eliminated from Indian sub continent and it was divided into two independent states India & Pakistan. Chittagong hill tracts included in Pakistan. Though in the constitution of Pakistan of 1956 and 1962, this particular region was granted special status, it was overruled in the constitution of 1963 of Pakistan through and amendment. In 1989 Local government council was formed in the three hill districts. After the Peace Treaty signed in 1997, it was transformed into hill district council. Every ethnic group has their own language and culture. Their versatile cultures, customs, heritage, living styles have made our country colorful. We are still nourishing the heritage as a mark of this Raz Punnah is still observed. Tourism is a boosting industry in Bandarban. Now it is a safe horizon of tourists. It is embedded with handful gifts of nature; the highest mountain of the country Thajingdong, Keokaradong, Chimbuk, the highest natural lake of Bangladesh Bogalake, Prantik lake, Rijuk fall, Meghla etc. Tourists from all over the world are inclined so much to come, see and discover the mystery of undisclosed nature and diversity. Here is a great opportunity for enhancing volume of economic development by using natural resources. Natural habitat for monkeys and it was crisscrossed by numerous canals (jhiri). Monkeys used to collect fruits from forests on the other side of the canal and cross it. Behind the name of Bandarban there is a overwhelming story. Long time ago this district was a great After eating and collection of fruits, they returned in the same way as a group. When they crossed canals it looked like a dam from a distance. It caught the sight of local Marma community and they termed it as Magci. Here Mag means monkeys and ci means dam. Gradually it has been transformed in the local dialect Bandarbon. With the passage of time it has undergone a phonetic change and now it is Bandarban. Bandarban hill district is a hub for Natural beauties. The whole landscape is covered with the zigzag courses of hills. There are 11 ethnic diversities herein Bandarban creating a versatile color of life. Shangu and Matamuhuri, these two rivers with their violent current are flowing through Bandarban in a serpentine course. The area of this district is 4479.04 Sqr km. and the total population is 3,00,740. This district has a historic past and a long nourshied heritage. In past there was a conflict regarding this region between the Tripura and the Arakan empire. It was taken over many times by these two empires. It was a part of the Horikal region in the long past. at that time there was no tribal presence in this area. After conquering this region the founder of the Tripura Empire King Juza Rupa sent his two brothers named Udoigiri Kilai and Mong Lai to Chittagong Hill Tracts and they established locality on the south hill of Matamuhuri river in 590 AC. In 953 AC Arakan King Sula Chandra took over the Chittagong Hill Tracts again. In 1240 AC. Tripura King defeated the Arakan Empire and took over. After that this region was respectively ruled by Sultan Faqruddin Mobarak Shah (1338-1349), Sultan Jalal Uddin Muhammad Shah (1418-1431), Sultan Elias Shah (1459-1474), Sultan Alauddin Hossain Shah (1493-1519) during the Sultani reign. From 1571 this region was ruled by Arakan King Mong Falaun known Sikander Shah. In 1666 during the reign of Emperor Aurongojab, it had come under the rule of Mughal empire. In 15th October 1760 Nawab Mir Kashim handed over the region to the British East India compny and in 1785 they established the full pledged authority over the region. During the British era in 1860 under the reign of frontier tribes Act hilly region was taken away from the chitttagong district forming a new chittagong hill district and a hill superintendent was appointed. In 1891 according to the local custom it was divided into three circles. The present Bandarbn district was included in the Bomang circle. The head of the circle is called Circle Chief. 1.Meghla Parjatan Complex   Meghla Porjatan Complex is the most visited spot by the tourists coming from all over the country tourist have the easiest access to it comparing other sites of Bandarban. It is in the contiguous area of the Bandarban hill district council on the gateway of Bandarban. At the bottom of the hills artificial lake has been made. It is just 4 Kilometer away from Bandarban town. Here is a great arrangement for the tourists for their amusement like Children Park, Boat Journey, Mini Zoo and Hanging Bridge etc. Management authority of this tourist spot is office of the district commissioner of Bandarban. Communication to Meghla is smooth. That's why a lot of tourist makes the way to Meghla for celebrating their vacations. Food and Accommodation: - Inside Meghla there is no arrangement for lunch. You can have snacks only. You can take lunch packet, if you want to pass whole day there. Outside the Meghla there are two restaurants with Chinese and Continental food at Holiday Inn resort and Porjatan Motel. Accommodation facilities are also available in the resort and the Porjatan Motel. Communication: - It is just 4 Kilometer away from Bandarban town. You can hire privet Jeep and auto rickshaw for going to Meghla. Local bus is also available. 2.Nilachal & Shuvronila   This is the nearest tourist spot from Bandarban. It is situated at tiger Para. The spot is under joint management of district council & office of the district commission. It is near about 2000 fit above of sea level and 5 K.M away from the Bandarban town. From this you can have a total glimpse of Bandarban town and a vast landscape. In the rainy season you can be thrilled walking through the clouds. You can watch a golden twilight in the evening and also can enjoy an evergreen moonlight in the moonlit night. One can never imagine how it looks like during the winter season, it is just awesome all about the foggy morning. On the way to Nilachal, you will see some tribe villages with their raw natural expression. So welcome to Nilachal & Shuvronila. Food & Accommodation :- This tourist spot is still under construction. Yet there is no food and accommodation facility. The authority have already erected infrastructures for restaurant and rest house. It will start near future. So if you want to stay long there you have to take your food and drinking water from Bandarban town. Communication :- It is just 5 km. away from Bandarban town. You can hire privet Jeep and auto rickshaw. 3. Shoylo Prapat   It is 8km away from Bandarban town on the Bandarban Ruma road. This is one of the most famous and visited natural fall of Bangladesh. You can hear the purl of this fall throughout the year. The flow of this fall becomes vigorous during the rainy season. The water of this fall is so transparent and cool. It is a good source for drinking water and household use for the local bawm community. For availability of water here has grown 2/3 bawm village. It has become the main center for their economic activities. There is a small market for selling bawm handicrafts, handloom products and local food in shoylo prapat. You can see closely the struggling life of bawm community here in shoylo propat. Food & Accommodations :- There is no arrangement for Food & Accommodations in shoylo propat. You have to carry drinking water and food with your own management. There are some tea stalls run by bawm people in shoylo propat. Communication :- Chander gari (public jeep) is available from Bandarban town to shoylo propat or you can hire auto rickshaw/private jeep to get there. 4. Prantik Lake   With abundant natural beauties Prantik Lake lies in Holodia near the Keranihat-Bandarban road. It is 14km away from Bandarban town. It requires 30mnt's drive. It covers an area of 2500acre. The management authority of this lake is LGED. This lake is surrounded by a good many varieties of trees. It has been regarded a natural habitat for different bird species. This lake is an ideal place for fishing. You can have fishing opportunity in this lake with the permission of the authority. It is an ideal place for excursion and family tour in solitude. Food & Accommodations :- There is no arrangement for Food & Accommodations in Prantik lake. You can pass the whole day but before evening you have to return Bandarban. You have to carry drinking water and food with your own management. Communication :- Local bus is available from Bandarban to Holodia. From Holodia you can take a auto rickshaw to Prantik Lake or you can hire a Jeep. 5. Chimbuk   Chimbuk is the third highest mountain of Bangladesh. This is one of the most recognized familiar tourist spot just 26km away from Bandarban sadar. It's about 2500ft high above sea level. You will definitely be charmed having glimpses of the zigzag way heading to chimbuk, nilgiri respectively. 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 generous as nature. Here nature nourishes her offspring with utmost love in her lap. 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. The huge horizon of zigzag hills seem waves of a sea. Food and accommodation :- There is an well managed canteen in this place. Yon can avail snacks here. There are two govt owned rest houses to stay here. If you want to stay there, you have to confirm the reservation with the authority at first. Communication :- Chimbuk is 26 kilometer away from Bandarban sadar. Tourists can go there by Thanci bound bus or jeep. But better option is to hire a private vehicle. On the way to Chimbuk you have to register your name and address with the military check post. 6. Boga Lake   This is the highest natural lake of Bangladesh. It is 3000fts above sea level & 18km away from Ruma Sadar Upazilla. This lake has covered and area of 15acre. The colour of the water is blue. There are many mythological stories behind the creation of this lake. Thousands of tourists make their way to Bagalake every year, specially in the winter season. Small tribe community like Bawm, Khumi have localities beside the Baga lake. The communication to Baga lake becomes very difficult in the Rainy season. The road from Ruma to Baga lake is still under construction. You can go to Baga lake from Ruma by "Chander Gari" (public jeep) in winter season. But transportation is not always available there. There waiting lots of excitements and enthusiasm for you at Baga lake. You will certainly be amazed looking at the big rocks lying in and out of the Baga lake. You can have a camp fire beside the lake, that will be miraculous and unfaded memory in your life. So welcome to Baga lake to create a memory walks before you. Food & Accommodation :- At first you have to go Ruma from Bandarban Sadar. On the way you have to register your name, contact address and other details in the respective security camp. For your kind notice, it is apprised that you are not allowed to leave Ruma for Baga lake after 4pm. So you have to arrange the trip with proper calculation of time. Communication :- You have to make a trip at first from Bandarban to Ruma by "Chander Gari" (public jeep) or a private vehicle. From Ruma you can hire public jeep upto Baga lake. You can also have a walk for Baga lake in winter season. It will requires 6hrs to reach Baga lake. 7. Rijuk Fall   When you are heading to Thanchi to Ruma by a boat you can have the glance of an exotic fall that is Rijuk Fall. Throughout the year this fall remains singing on the bank of Sango River. One can hardly control his impulses to get a shower under this fall. It has increased the surrounding beauty manifolds. It is much convenient to take an engine boat up to Rijuk. Remoteness doesn't always bear total seclusion as when you see untouched nature there, it will make you the most natural and very close to your heart strings. This can happen with you at the sight of Rijuk Fall. Round the year you can go there but during the rainy season you can have the most rejuvenated glance of this fall. That's the refreshing season for the nature full of cool greenery making you feel harmony with nature. Food & Accommodation :- Yet there is no food and accommodation facility. The authority has a future plan to make infrastructures for restaurant and rest house. It will start near future. So if you want to stay long there you have to take your food and drinking water from Ruma Bazar. Communication :- You have to make a trip at first from Bandarban to Ruma by "Chander Gari" (public jeep) or a private vehicle. From Ruma you can hire a boat upto Rijuk. 8. Keokradong   Keokradong is the second highest mountain of Bangladesh. It is about 4332 ft high from the sea level. It is 30km away from the Ruma sadar Upazilla. During the winter season many adventurous tourists endeavor to visit this spectacular mountain. This remote hilly region is full of natural beauty. You can be overwhelmed at the first sight of this mountain. It is very close to the Myanmar border and you can see an endless courses of mountains and hills. This area is covered with dense forests full of beast and animals. Communication :- Ruma is 50 kilometer away from Bandarban. Due to lack of developed communication and transportation it is a remote upzila Bangladesh. For visiting Keokradong you have to go to Ruma at first. On the way heading to Ruma you have to register your name & address in the nearby military check post. You should keep it mind that after 4 p.m nobody is allowed to leave Ruma for Boga Lake, Keokaradong, Tahjingdong. In rainy season you can go upto koikhhong jhiri by jeep. From that place you have to undertake one hour boat journey to Ruma. In winter season you can go up to Ruma Bridge Ghat and from the place you need 15 to 20 minutes boat journey to arrive in Ruma. From Ruma sadar you can hire pickup or jeep up to Boga Lake and you have to walk through the hills from Boga Lake to Keokradong. 9. Tahjingdong   Tahjingdong is the highest mountain of Bangladesh. According to local tribal language Tahjing means Great & Dong means Hill, combine expression is Great hill or Tahjingdong. The peak of this mountain is 4,300ft above sea level. It is situated in Remakri Pangsha union under Ruma upazilla of Bandarban. It is 25km away from the sadar upazilla. Thousands of tourist gather every year in Ruma upazilla to pay a visit of Tahjingdong. Besides this mountain there are various tribal community whose versatile cultures and living styles are so nature oriented. Once the way to Tahjingdong was thought invincible, but today a lot of tourists make this journey possible for the shake of beauty. Beauty is scattered everywhere on the way to Tahjingdong. During the rainy season its a real hardship to reach it. Specially in the winter season many tourists endeavour to reach it on foot as an adventure. At present one can reach close to the Keokradong by Chander Gari (Jeep). The remaining path has to be completed on foot. It is must for one to carry warm clothes during the winter season. In this respect walking habit will ease this tour. Food & Accommodations :- On the way to Tahjingdong one have to pause his journey at Bogalake for restoration. There is no other accommodation facility except the rest houses of district council in Bogalake. One have to start his walking early in the morning from Bogalake to reach Tahjingdong. It will require 7 to 8 hours to reach Tahjingdong. Tourists have to hold that night in the near about tribe village and they have to start for Bogalake next morning. Tourists have to carry dry food , water purifying tablet warm clothes, torch light, orsallaine, anti mosquito lotion and other necessary medicines. This journey is very much laborious, so it is better to avoid children and women to take along with you. There are some residential hotel in Ruma Bazar, so you have to confirm at first the hotel reservation before going to Ruma, otherwise you will have no alternative passing the night under the open sky. If you are fortunate you can avail tribal house to pass the night. Communication :- Ruma is 50 kilometer away from Bandarban. Due to lack of developed communication and transportation it is a remote upzila Bangladesh. For visiting Tahjingdong you have to go to Ruma at first. On the way heading to Ruma you have to register your name & address in the nearby military check post. You should keep it mind that after 4 p.m nobody is allowed to leave Ruma for Boga Lake, Keokaradong, Tahjingdong. In rainy season you can go upto koikhhong jhiri by jeep. From that place you have to undertake one hour boat journey to Ruma. In winter season you can go up to Ruma Bridge Ghat and from the place you need 15 to 20 minutes boat journey to arrive in Ruma. From Ruma sadar you can hire pickup or jeep up to Boga Lake and you have to walk through the hills from Boga Lake to Tahjingdong. 10. Golden Temple   It is situated at the outskirts of Bandarban city near Pulpara, Balaghata. It is just 4 kilometer away from Bandarban city. Its pagoda built on the top of the hills. It is regarded as one of the holy site for Buddhist pilgrims. Followers of Buddhism from different countries gather here to prey and visit. It's another name "Mohashukh Prarthona Purak Buddha Dhatu Chate". It has one of the greatest Buddha sculpture made during the contemporary period of Gautam Buddha. This monastery has been built at a cost of 100 million taka. It is one of the magnificent monasteries in the south East Asia. There is small pond in the monastery named "The Pond of Angels" on the top of a hill. From this you can have a total glance of Blaghata and its surrounding natural beauties. Every year a huge festival is arranged here. It is always open for the devotees and remains open from 5 PM to 7PM for the visitors. Each visitor is charge 10 taka for entrance. Food and Accommodation :- As it is close to Bandarban city, you can take only snacks and drinking water. Communication :- You can hire a rickshaw or auto rickshaw from Bandarban city. 11. Nilgiri   Nilgiri is the highest tourist spot of Bangladesh. It is about 3500ft high and situated in Thanci upzilla. It is just 45km away from Bandarban sadar. Beside this spot you can see Mro villages. Their colorful culture and living style are surely an unexplored experience to you. In rainy season here creates a spectacular scenery, the whole spot is covered with the blanket of clouds. You can enjoy a cloudy experience. That is really awesome. Winter is waiting for you with it's foggy gesture on the height. It is a nice place for campfire in this season. This foggy experience will remain crystal clear in your memory for decades. Sunrise and sunset are like an immense archive of glaring beauties in the summer. The sun is rising behind from the bottom of the hills illuminating the green hills and it is setting leaving behind a crepuscular dream for you. Its twilight with the breeze will ignite your Romanticism. 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. Food and accommodation :- There is an well managed restaurant in this place. Yon can avail delicious cuisines and snacks here. There are some cozy deluxe suits and cottage to stay. If you want to stay there, you have to confirm the reservation with the authority at first. Communication :- Nilgiri is 45km away from Bandarban sadar. Tourists can go there by Thanci bound bus or jeep. But better option is to hire a private vehicle. On the way to Nilgiri you have to register your name and address with the military check post. 12. Mirinja Parjatan   This is a fantastic tourist spot in Lama. It is situated at 16 Kilometer of Lama to Ali Kadam road. It is about 1500 fit high from sea level and an attracting spot for the tourists. You can watch Matamuhuri River and Lama Upazila from this spot. It is clean weather you can also watch the Bay of Bangle and Moheskhali Island. There is an Observation tower in this spot. There is a children park in Mirinja. You can walk up to Mirinja or can reach there by private vehicle. Food and Accommodation :- This is a flourshing tourist spot. Food and accommodation facilities are not yet good enough. There is a government owned rest house but to stay there prior authorization is required from relevant authority. In that case you can stay in Chakaria upzila Coxsbazar. Communication :- Lama Upzila is near about 70 Kilometer away from Bandarban Sadar. You can hire a private vehicle from Bandarban city or you can take Coxsbazar bound bus upto Chakaria upzila of Coxsbazar and than you can hire jeep to go to Lama upzila sadar. |
