Rangamati is a district that floats on water. It is the largest district in the country by area, yet a vast portion of it is submerged. The Kaptai Lake, which dominates the geography, is a man-made beauty born from a historical tragedy. Created in the 1960s by damming the Karnaphuli River for hydroelectric power, the water swallowed the old palace of the Chakma King and displaced thousands, but today, it has created a landscape that is heartbreakingly beautiful. The lake winds through lush green hills like a blue serpent. Renting a boat here is not a tourist activity; it is the only way to truly see the district. You drift past small islands, seeing indigenous wooden houses perched on stilts and fishermen casting nets in the silence. The Hanging Bridge, or Jhulonto Bridge, is the iconic symbol of the town, colorful and swaying over the water, but the real magic lies further afield at the Shuvolong Waterfalls. During the monsoon, the water crashes down through a rocky gorge that feels prehistoric.
This district is the cultural heart of the Chakma community. The Rajban Vihara is a massive Buddhist monastery complex that commands respect. It is a place of deep serenity, where monks in saffron robes walk amidst ancient trees and modern pagodas. The architecture is distinct, reflecting Southeast Asian influences rather than the Mughal styles found in the plains. You can often see wild monkeys playing on the monastery grounds. Not far away is the Chakma Rajbari, the current residence of the royal family, which serves as a reminder of the region's autonomous history. Rangamati is also the administrative home of the Sajek Valley, the 'Queen of Hills,' although it is accessed via another district. Sajek offers the experience of walking above the clouds, a place where the morning mist rolls into your balcony and the starry nights are clear and cold.
Textiles are a major part of the local economy and culture. The indigenous women weave distinct fabrics on backstrap looms, creating Bain textile patterns that are vibrant and intricate. A visit to the tribal markets is a riot of color. Culinary adventurers find their heaven here with 'Bamboo Chicken,' where meat and spices are stuffed inside a green bamboo shoot and slow-cooked over a fire, infusing the dish with a woody, grassy aroma. Rangamati is slower, quieter, and deeply connected to the water. It is a place where the hills gaze at their own reflection in the deep blue lake.