Bandarban is the roof of Bangladesh. It is here that the country touches the sky. This district houses the highest peaks in the nation, including Saka Haphong, Keokradong, and Tahjingdong. For trekkers and adventure seekers, Bandarban is the ultimate destination. The landscape is dramatic, with sharp ridges, deep gorges, and clouds that often descend to touch the ground. Places like Nilgiri and Nilachal are famous for this 'cloud tourism.' You can stand on a hilltop resort and watch a river of white clouds flow beneath you, a surreal experience that feels like being in an airplane. The roads here are the steepest in the country, testing the limits of engines and brakes, but offering views that are breathtaking at every hairpin turn.
The soul of Bandarban is the Sangu River. Unlike most rivers in Bangladesh that flow from the north, the Sangu flows within the hill tracts, cutting a path through the mountains. A boat ride from Ruma to Thanchi on the Sangu is arguably the most beautiful river journey in the country. The water is clear, turning turquoise in the winter, flanked by high rock walls and dense forests. You pass by remote villages that are only accessible by boat, seeing a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries. The district is home to a tapestry of ethnic groups, including the Marma, Bawm, Mro, and Tripura. The Mro people, who live deep in the forest, have a distinct culture and appearance, often seen carrying large baskets on their heads and smoking traditional pipes.
Bandarban is also a spiritual center for Theravada Buddhism. The Golden Temple, or Buddha Dhatu Jadi, perched on a high hill near the town, is an architectural marvel. Its golden stupas shine in the sun and can be seen from miles away. The Boga Lake is another jewel, a high-altitude lake formed in the crater of a dead volcano (according to local lore, though geologists differ). The water changes color, and the lake is considered sacred by the local Bawm community. At night, sitting by a bonfire near Boga Lake under a sky crowded with stars is a humbling experience. Bandarban is wild, difficult to navigate, and utterly magnificent. It is the place where you go to feel small against the grandeur of nature.