Built in 2000 by Ven. U Pannya Jota Thera atop a hill at Balaghata, it is the largest Theravada Buddhist temple in Bangladesh and houses sacred relics. The golden stupa, statues of the Buddha and prayer hall overlook the surrounding hills. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and remove shoes before stepping onto the temple terrace.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳50; auto-rickshaw from town about ৳100–150
How to get to Buddha Dhatu Jadi
At Pulpara in Balaghata, about 4 km north of Bandarban town. A local auto-rickshaw or battery rickshaw from the town market takes 15–20 minutes.
Bandarban town is about 320 km from Dhaka, around 8 hours by road. Every way to get there is in the Bandarban guide.
Modest dress is strictly required; photography may be restricted inside the prayer hall. Foreign visitors must show passport details at the entrance.
More to see in Bandarban
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: 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: 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
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