Three must-visit sites in Bandarban

Many buses for Bandarban leave from Dhaka's Fakirapul, Sayedabad, Gabtoli, Kalabagan and near the Kamlapur Railway Station.

Unique, Hanif, Shyamoli, Saudia, S Alam, Dolphin, Saint Martin and Desh Travel bus all have buses that ply that route, day and night, AC and non-AC.

But no matter how you come to Bandarban, do not forget to enjoy the following sights:

The Golden Temple

The Buddha Dhatu Jadi is a temple on the top of a hill. It was built following the architectural aesthetic of Myanmar and Thailand.

It received its name "Golden Temple" for its actual golden colour.

The temple design is strikingly beautiful. It was originally built for Buddhist prayer meetings. Buddha statues have also been structured around it.

As it is a religious institution, there are some rules to be followed so that the prayers of the Buddhist monks and devotees are not interrupted.

How to go there

Buddha Dhatu Jadi is situated on the Bandarban-Rangamati Road in Balaghata area. It is known to everyone as the Golden Temple. It is located about three kilometers from the city.

Tom-tom and CNG auto-rickshaw can take one there from any part of the city area.

These vehicles are usually available at traffic intersections in the city. The fare from the traffic junction is Tk20 per person.

Nilachal

The entire city of Bandarban can be seen from the Nilachal Tourist Centre. A different face of nature can be enjoyed from up there. If you look below, you will see the villages of the local Bam and Tripura communities.

At that height, usually a cold wind blows all the time; you can also touch the clouds, due to which, there is always a crowd of tourists and locals throughout the year.

How to go there

The distance from Bandarban city to Nilachal is five kilometres.

Open jeeps (10-14 people), five-door cars (maximum five people) and CNG auto-rickshaws can be hired from the Hill Bird area in the city.

Tourists can choose any vehicle according to the number of passengers. The association sets the rent for the vehicles. Besides, private cars can also climb the Nilachal hills.

Boga Lake

According to the locals, there was a small hole there before the lake. Poultry would get lost in the mouth of the hole. Later everyone in the neighbourhood dug a bigger hole and saw a huge dragon.

They started pulling its legs and it came off. At night, they cooked and ate the dragon's legs. That night, the dragon made a lake and drowned everyone in it.

However, researchers believe that the lake may have been created by a volcanic eruption a few hundred years ago.

How to go there

It is located 17 kilometres away from Ruma Upazila Sadar. Open jeeps and five-door cars are available at the Hill Bird junction in Bandarban town.

However, the rate is a little high. You can also take a local bus from Ruma station at a lower price.

When you reach Ruma, you have to take a guide. From there, take a jeep straight to Boga Lake. There are small cottages in "Machang" style for staying the night.