Zorna
Khagrachhari
266 km by road from Dhaka and 112 km from Chittagong, an all-weather suitable road through lush green forested hills brings the tourist to Khagrachhari town, whose fascinating ambience makes it an ideal spot for those seeking nature in restful mood.
The district of Khagrachhari represents the natural, wild, beauty of Bangladesh. It is situated on the left bank of the Chengi River. Away from the mechanized monotony of modern life, a holiday here can be memorably restful. The noteworthy places of interest at Khagrachhari are:
Alutilla, surrounded by deep forest, has a dark cave with an inner dimension approximately 100 metres long with a hill stream flowing right through. One can see the whole Khagrachhari town at a glance from the top of Alutilla.
Another attraction is the Rajbari or palace of the Mogh Chief at Manikchhari where tourists can see a Royal bed made of ivory. Besides, the forest of Guimara and the hills there are worth seeing.
Other places worth visiting include the abandoned Dighi of the Former King of Tripura, Manikkya Dev at Dighinala, the War of Liberation Memorial Monument "Sharthok a janmo", a Buddhist temple, river and canal, and an old tea garden at Ramgarh.
In Khagrachhari, the Biju festival is celebrated by tribal people every year in April and includes which consists of sports, dances, songs and cultural functions. There is a remarkable lake known as the Matai Pukhiri, 500 meters above ground level at Nunchhari. According to a legend of the Tripura tribe, the water of this lake never dries up nor becomes dirty, which is why it is called Mara; Pukhiri or the Lake of God.
Rangamati
It is arguably one of the most tourist attractions in Bangladesh, ringed by numerous hills and situated right on the sparkling waters of Kaptai Lake. The colourful lifestyle and culture of the indigenous communities reveals signifies their inherent love of nature and their intimate bond with the hills, forests and rivers. Rangamati's majestic natural beauty is most attractively manifested in the rainy season - trees become greener, waterfalls are in full flow, the river Karnaphuli is full to the brim.
Rangamati includes the following places of interest for the tourists:
The Tribal Museum, is adjacent to the Tribal Cultural Institute, displays valuable objects and articles depicting the socio-economic, cultural and historical traditions of different tribes. Tribal handicrafts and handloom textiles are attractive items to buy because of their varied and vivid colours and exquisite designs.
The Shuvalong waterfall is another attraction for its romantic beauty amidst a vast stretch of green hills and forest surrounded by a serpentine lake.
Tourists will also enjoy traversing the hanging bridge over the Kaptai lake, which affords a convenient vantage point for taking in the beauty of the lake. This bridge leads to another hill over the canal close to the Parjatan motel. The man-made Kaptai lake, spreading over 680 km of crystal-clear water was formed by damming the Karnaphuli river, and has a picturesque hinterland of large hills and panoramic forests. A cruise on the calm waters of the lake can be a memorable experience.
The Chakma King's Palace is worth a visit.
Among other places of interest, Rajbon Bihara Pagoda, located on a hilltop, attracts a large number of devotees who come for the religious occasion known as "Kathin Chivar Dan".
Pedatingting, 5 km from Rangamati town at the mouth of the Shuvolong Channel, is an enchanting island resort located in the middle of the magnificent Kaptai Lake; with a beach frontage all around. The restaurant is clean and quiet, with an adjacent leisure park where tourists may enjoy the blue waters of the lake and the lush green of the hills. The restaurant has some delicious tribal-style dishes to offer.
While visiting Rangamati, tourists may also go shopping at the Kalpataru Shilpaniketan, an ivory handicrafts centre in the town.
Bandarban
Some 92 km from Chittagong by road through the green forests and hills is tucked away the quiet haven of peace and tranquility known as Bandarban. The un spoilt setting of this little township, rich in tribal heritage, attracts a large number of tourists. Its flora and fauna, the pretty bamboo cottages made by the ethnic people and their colourful lifestyle have distinguished this charming hill resort a preferred destination of tourists from home and abroad. The panoramic views of Bandarban will surely induce visitors to extend their stay, so that they may roam around at leisure in the natural wilderness of this hilly district. Tourists can also have good access to a wide variety of activities like hill trekking to remote tribal villages, bird watching, visiting waterfalls on daytrips, and a better chance of interacting with the indigenous locals and appreciating their ethnic culture.
Bandarban includes the following places of interest:
Bagakain Lake, popularly known as Baga Lake, is a natural water-body. The lake attracts tourists because of its amazing scenic beauty but it is inaccessible by any means of transport. Only those who take the challenge of trekking through the hilly 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.
Mt. Keokeradong Discovery Trek is another typical trek which includes a river journey by country boat to Ruma, then a day's hike up a river bed to the lily-filled Baga Lake and a lakeside Bawm tribal village. Below the lake one will find a Marma village. Mental strength and physical fitness are essential to take part in such trekking in Bandarban.
Another noteworthy site is Chimbuk hill which in the Bangladeshi context is an out-of-ordinary tourist attraction. It is called 'the Darjeeling of Bengal' and is 700 metres above sea level. Located chimbuk hill is 25 km south of Bandarban town, approached by a zigzag road and offering a stunning view of the Sangu rive, it can give the visitor the experience of a life time. The top of this hill is plain and just like a plateau. The dance of the clouds increases in liveliness with the rise of the morning sun and immediately before sunset, and tourists can have the delightful experience of touching clouds with their hands. The entire ambience is so captivating that one would surely like to return here again and again.
Ruma Bazar, 60 km southeast of Bandarban, is another attractive tourist destination. The place is famous for its scenic beauty and visitors can while away a few pleasant hours before making the journey back to Bandarban by sampan (boat). Ruma is full of diversity: Rijuk Waterfall, Prantik lake, the Bromang Raj Bari and museum are also worth seeing. But a visit to Bandarban remains incomplete if Meghla is left out. Situated about 6 km from the Chittagong-Bandarban highway, it boasts a lake of extraordinary beauty.
Alikadam is well known for the settlements of the Murang and Khumi tribal people.
Another attraction is the Shailapropat (waterfall), 8 km from Bandarban. The walk to this spot involves several ascents and descents. Buddha dhatu jadi is an attractive temple located at a height of 60 meters on a hill at Balaghata, 2 km from Bandarban town. Its golden colour and eye-catching architecture make it a feast for the eyes.
Sangu river is another attraction of this hilly district. Tourists can take a boat from Kaptai lake and travel downstream along the Sangu to go to Bandarban.
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