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Experience the peaceful beauty of Rangamati Lake. Discover boating, nature walks, and stunning views in this peaceful spot, perfect for nature lovers.
Today’s Travel Story from Bangladesh Wonders _Exploring Rangamati
In today’s travel story from Bangladesh Wonders, we will highlight some amazing places in the Rangamati district. Let’s take a trip to Rangamati!Rangamati, a picturesque hilly district, is rich in natural resources and breathtaking scenic beauty. It is well-known worldwide as a tourist destination.
The region is filled with winding mountain roads and rolling hills. The famous Kaptai Lake surrounds this beautiful tourist city, and many diverse and fascinating places nearby are worth exploring.
Rangamati is renowned worldwide for its ethnic diversity and natural beauty. Although people from various ethnic groups live here, the Chakma community is the largest.
Tourists visit Rangamati to escape the exhaustion of everyday life and immerse themselves in its lush green hills, scenic mountain lakes, and the simple lifestyle of the indigenous communities. Spending peaceful moments with them adds a unique charm to the journey.
We will start our journey from TT Para, Dhaka, by bus towards Rangamati. Keep in mind that a bus is the only direct way to reach Rangamati, as it is a hilly area. However, you can take a train or flight to Chittagong first and then continue by bus.
Using our boat, we will explore:
Most tourists choose these spots for a one-day trip. You can explore Rangamati by both road and waterways, but during the monsoon season, boat rides are the best way to experience the beauty of Kaptai Lake.
At 8 AM, we arrived at our first destination of the day – an indigenous village. As we wandered through the village, we observed the traditional homes, rolling hills, and a bustling market filled with local goods. In the warm morning market, we found fresh hill coconuts, bananas, and pineapples. Alongside these, there were colorful tribal fabrics and shawls, adding to the charm of the place.
One fascinating encounter was with a bare-chested Chakma vendor, who was selling a special type of sugarcane. According to him, this sugarcane could be used to detect jaundice—if someone had jaundice, the juice from the cane would turn yellow.
Covering 725 square kilometers, Kaptai Lake is the largest artificial lake in Asia and a major attraction for both local and international tourists. Surrounded by lush greenery, the lake offers a breathtaking view with its winding roads between hills, cascading waterfalls, and vast blue waters—creating a paradise of natural beauty. Formed by the Karnaphuli-Kaptai Dam, this serene lake is fed by the gentle currents of the Karnaphuli River, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers.
Kaptai Lake isn’t just a winter destination—during the monsoon, its vast, deep waters attract even more visitors. The lake, completely surrounded by hills, feels like an ocean in the mountains.
In Rangamati town, the rare combination of lake and hills coexisting side by side creates a breathtaking view, unlike anywhere else in Bangladesh. While crossing the lake, you’ll pass by stunning hills named Harina, Jurichhuri, Maini, Rangu, and Baghaichhari.
Spreading across different parts of Rangamati, Kaptai Lake serves as a natural waterway, allowing travelers to explore the entire region by boat. Throughout the vast blue waters, small islands rise, adding to its charm. Fishermen in tiny boats and passenger-filled wooden ferries sail across the lake, cutting through its vastness and creating a scene of both serenity and adventure.
You can start your journey from Kaptai Lake Jetty and head towards Bilai Chhori by a local boat. Right at the beginning of the journey, you’ll spot the Kaptai Dam, an impressive structure. Along the way, you’ll also witness fishermen in small boats casting their nets, while flocks of birds soar above. You’ll see the graceful sarus cranes, white egrets, and herons all around the lake.
On the shores, scattered across the small hills, you’ll find tribal settlements, with their unique Jhum houses (traditional huts). These huts, nestled at the foot of the hills, create a picturesque scene, almost like a painting.
The Jhum houses, or Mon houses, are symbolic of the culture and tradition of the hill tribes. These are temporary homes built primarily for tending to the crops of Jhum farming (shifting agriculture), a practice passed down through generations.
Kayaking or boating on Kaptai Lake offers a thrilling and unique adventure. You can explore stunning sites like Rangamati city, the Kaptai Dam, Rangamati Hanging Bridge, Shuvolong Waterfall, the Karnaphuli River, Sheikh Eco Park, and other picturesque spots along the way.
For boating, you can rent speedboats or local boats from Tavolchhari Tourist Ghat.
In the middle of the lake, you’ll find small islands offering food stalls, where you can enjoy local delicacies. Try the freshwater fried fish, various types of bhorta (mashed vegetables), bamboo chicken, fried chicken, and lentils—all served with the refreshing lake breeze as your backdrop. Perfect for a peaceful lunch by the water!
Standing on the Hanging Bridge, you’ll be mesmerized by the endless waters of Kaptai Lake, stretching as far as the eye can see. Nearby, the towering hills with lush trees stand tall, almost touching the sky, creating a breathtaking sight.
A tourist, hailing from Barisal, shared their experience after visiting Rangamati. Being from a region rich in canals, rivers, and seas, they were still in awe of the crystal-clear waters of Kaptai Lake, which left them deeply impressed. The purity and tranquility of the lake were unlike anything they had ever experienced before.
For those who have never seen the mountains, the mountain roads and waterfalls will surely leave them in awe, according to the tourist. He invites those who travel abroad to experience Kaptai at least once. Indeed, Rangamati is such a tourism hub, and its beauty has inspired many songs and poems.
The Hanging Bridge is an impressive structure, stretching 335 feet long and 8 feet wide, with its cables tightly secured. It has now become a symbol of Rangamati, and images of the Hanging Bridge are used whenever Rangamati is mentioned. It truly represents the charm of the region!
“Dekha Hoi Ni Chokhu Meliya,
Ghor Theke Du Paa Feliya“
_ “I have never seen, but now I open my eyes, stepping out of the house”.
According to another tourist, stepping out of his home to explore was a meaningful experience. He shared, “The Creator has made our country so beautiful, and I wouldn’t have realized it if I hadn’t come here. Rangamati has opened my eyes. I want to visit this place again and again.”
The Hanging Bridge is located just 5 kilometers from Rangamati city. The area offers various attractions, including a dedicated playground for children, cottages for accommodation, parks, picnic spots, and even special sampan boats for a unique boating experience.
Rangamati – Kaptai connecting road is an attractive place for tourists. On both sides of this road, there are picturesque green hills and lake views. The perfect beauty of nature here cannot be found anywhere else in Bangladesh. It’s like another Bangladesh. Right next to this connecting road is the scenic tourist spot ‘Touch of the Blue Sky’. From here, you can see the beautiful meeting point of the lake, hills, and clouds.
Another beautiful tourist spot is Kaptai River View Park. There is no fee to enter this tourist spot. It is open to everyone. Comfortable seating arrangements are available here. From this point, you can enjoy the best beauty of the Karnaphuli River. Green Hill Restaurant offers food arrangements. For accommodation, Rangamati city has various government-run tourism rest houses as well as private hotels and motels.
During the winter season, the water flow in Shubhlong Waterfall is low. However, during the monsoon season, the waterfall flows down from a height of 300 feet, crashing into Kaptai Lake. There are several smaller waterfalls near Shubhlong Waterfall, such as Shubhlong Small Waterfall. Despite its name, the flow of this smaller waterfall is quite intense.
Shubhlong Waterfall is located just 25 kilometers from Rangamati Sadar, next to Shubhlong Bazaar. Like most other waterfalls in Bangladesh, the water level in Shubhlong Waterfall is very low during the dry season. However, during the monsoon, a massive stream of water cascades down from a height of 140 feet, crashing into Kaptai Lake.
In addition, the beauty of the path leading to Shubhlong Waterfall can evoke strong emotions. Seeing the lake flowing between two mountains may make you feel as if you’re in Thailand!
The beauty of Shubhlong Waterfall mesmerizes tourists. The breathtaking view of the waterfall crashing onto the rocky ground from the top of the mountain is beyond words. If you have extra clothes with you, you can take a refreshing dip in the cool waters of the waterfall.
Close to Shubhlong Waterfall is the Shubhlong Hill or T&T Hill, which is nearly 2000 feet high. At the top of the hill, there is a military camp and a T&T tower. There is a beautiful staircase for climbing the hill. From the top, it seems like the entire hill is floating in the water of the lake.
As soon as you step into Rangamati, you can experience the purity of nature, which has the power to refresh anyone’s weary mind. You can further soothe yourself by visiting Rajban Bihar in Rangamati.
Although Rajban Bihar is located in the heart of Rangamati city, it remains free from urban noise. It is easily accessible from Rangamati’s Reserve Bazaar in a very short time. Rajban Bihar is primarily a Buddhist place of worship.
The esteemed Buddhist leader and philosopher, Sadhananda Mahasthavir Banabhante, moved to Rangamati in 1977 to permanently reside there.
This monastery was built for the residence of Banabhante and his disciples. It is a place of great significance for Buddhists and has now become an international Buddhist pilgrimage site. This religious center, located in the hilly region, is not only important for Buddhists but also serves as a hub for nature lovers, beauty enthusiasts, and knowledge seekers from around the world.
The joy of visiting this monastery is easily complemented by a new world of knowledge. Along with cultural exchange, visitors have the opportunity to experience religious thought, communal harmony, and a sense of fraternity.
The monastery houses an elegant prayer hall, a modern architectural building for teaching, the residential quarters of Banabhante, a rest house, residential buildings for monks and ascetics, a spacious guesthouse, a walking hall, a boundary house (Gyanghar), an event stage, a seven-story heaven house, a 10-bed hospital, several meditation huts, a kitchen, dining halls for Banabhante and the monks, its own library, and a press. Additionally, the entire monastery is surrounded by a boundary wall for security purposes.
One of the things that will catch your attention here is the preserved body of the religious leader Sadhananda Mahasthavir.
Under the supervision of the Rangamati District Police, the Palwel Park, situated along the banks of Kaptai Lake, has become one of the top entertainment centers of Rangamati with its creative touch. The park’s diverse landscape, unique architectural style, and aesthetic seating areas have given it a distinctive character.
In this natural and scenic environment, Palwel Park becomes lively with the footsteps of countless visitors who come every day to spend time and enjoy recreation.
In addition to various exciting rides such as the merry-go-round, honey swing, mini train, and pedal boats, Palwel Park also features a haunted hill cave, artificial mountain waterfalls, and a pitcher waterfall, crocodile bridge, traditional village Bengali Dhakki art, lakeview and hillview points, love lock point, mini zoo, aquarium, fishing pier, cafeteria, swimming pool, car parking, and Palwel Cottage. Moreover, there are opportunities to organize picnics and various social events here.
The entry fee for Palwel Park is 40 Taka per person, with ride fees ranging from 30 to 40 Taka, and the entry fee for the swimming pool is 200 Taka. To rent a cottage at Palwel Park, the cost is 8,000 Taka. However, discounts are available throughout the year for cottage bookings. The cottage booking also includes breakfast in the morning, free access to the swimming pool, free entry, car parking, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour security.
In conclusion, visiting in a group can significantly reduce costs. Some areas of the lake have deep water, so if you plan to get down, it’s best to ask the boatman first. Please be mindful and avoid any actions that could harm the environment and biodiversity. To save on expenses, consider visiting during the off-season or on non-holiday days. Always remember to protect the environment and its wildlife.
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