Bandarban spans the highest ridges and deepest valleys of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, bordered by Myanmar to the south and east. Twelve distinct ethnic communities live across its hills, farming terrace slopes and weaving traditional textiles. Most journeys begin from the district town on the Shangu River before heading south towards Thanchi and Ruma.
- From Dhaka
- About 320 km, 8 hours by road
- Best time
- October to February
- A day costs
- About ৳1,500 to ৳7,300 per person
What Bandarban is famous for
- Tribal handloom fabrics পাহাড়ি তাঁতের কাপড়
- Hill bananas চম্পা ও বাংলা কলা
- Bamboo shoot dishes বাঁশ কোড়ল
- Mro wood and bamboo craft বাঁশ ও কাঠের কারুশিল্প
How Bandarban got its name
The name is said to come from a Marma legend of monkeys gathering in large troops along the mountain streams, creating a living dam or bandar-ban across the water.
Places to visit in Bandarban
Photo: Azimronnie, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Buddha Dhatu Jadi বুদ্ধ ধাতু জাদি
A hilltop Theravada Buddhist temple with a golden spire and Buddha statues at Balaghata, built in 2000.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳50; auto-rickshaw from town about ৳100–150
Photo: Tanvir Rahat, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Nilgiri নীলগিরি
A high military-managed mountain viewpoint along the Thanchi road, where clouds often drift below the ridge.
- Best time
- July to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳100; hired jeep (Chander Gari) about ৳5,000–7,000 for a round trip of up to 12 people
Photo: Moheen Reeyad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Chimbuk Hill চিম্বুক পাহাড়
A prominent ridge along the Thanchi highway offering wide views across the Shangu River valley and Mro villages.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳50; shared Chander Gari from town about ৳150 each way
Unseen Bandarban: the lesser-known places
Quieter spots most visitors miss. Go with a local driver or ask us to arrange one.
Photo: Rocky Masum This work was made by Masum-al-Hasan Rocky and released under the, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Boga Lake বগা লেক
A deep natural freshwater lake set high in the hills of Ruma upazila, bordered by Bawm tribal settlements.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- A full day
- Cost
- Guide roughly ৳1,000–1,500 per day; jeep from Ruma Bazar roughly ৳2,000–2,500 one way; homestay roughly ৳300–500 a night
Photo: লাজ মাহমুদ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Nafakhum Waterfall নাফাখুম জলপ্রপাত
A wide, powerful waterfall on the Remakri River deep in Thanchi, reached by river boat and a boulder trail.
- Best time
- September to November
- Give it
- A full day
- Cost
- Registered guide roughly ৳1,500 per day; boat hire from Thanchi roughly ৳4,000–5,000 round trip for up to five people
How to get to Bandarban
- Direct AC and non-AC overnight buses run from Sayedabad, Arambagh and Fakirapool to Bandarban bus stand, taking 7 to 9 hours. Alternatively, take any coach or train to Chattogram and switch to a local bus from Bahaddarhat terminal (about 2.5 hours).
Where to stay in Bandarban
Rooms run from about ৳1,200 a night for a simple hotel, around ৳3,500 mid-range and ৳8,500 or more for the most comfortable. Prices are approximate.
- Hotel Hill View, near the main bus terminal
- Sairu Hill Resort, Chimbuk road
- Holiday Inn Resort, Meghla
- Hotels and guesthouses around Bandarban Bazar
What to eat in Bandarban
Taste indigenous Marma and Chakma cooking: hebaang (meat or fish steamed in banana leaves with herbs), fresh bamboo shoots (banshkoral) in season, and spicy dried fish bharta, served with sticky hill rice.