Bandarban Town - human settlement in Bangladesh

Bandarban Town is in Bandarban Hill District, in the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh.

Bandarban Hill District is the remotest and least populated district in Bangladesh. The lure of the tallest peaks of Bangladesh, treks through virgin forests and chance to meet more than 15 tribes of the region up close is growing both among Bangladeshis and tourists from other countries. A nearly 52 km² hill-town housing about 32,000 people, of which the majority are Marma. There is a Tribal Cultural Institute here, which features a library and a museum. The town also features Bandarban Town Hospital (offering the best medical service in the district), the District Public Library, Bandarban Government College, the District Stadium, banashri, the solitary movie theatre, the royal cemetery, and, of course, the Royal Palace (two of them since the 11th and 13th royal lines both claim the throne). Apart from the numerous kyangs and mosques, there is a temple dedicated to Kali, the most revered goddess of Hindus is Bangladesh, as well as a centre maintained by ISKON.

Get in

Foreigners visiting the three Chittagong Hill Tracts districts — Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban — must submit an application to the Home Ministry a month ahead for their scheduled visit. All non-Bangladeshis are required to register with the local police in Bandarban.

By bus

There are three ways to get to Bandarban. The easiest is a direct bus ride from Dhaka which takes 6 hours. The few services available are Dolphin at Kalabagan, Unique service, Shyamoli Paribahan at Gabtali, Asad gate, Fakirerpul, Kamlapur, Saydabad and S Alam at Kamalapur. On the high tourist season it is advisable to buy tickets in advance. AC and Non AC both type of bus are available. Generally AC and non AC bus running in this road are Hino 1JAC-40/36 seat capacity so during summer season using AC bus but winter Non AC bus might not be the wrong choice to save money. Non AC unique paribahan is the best in this road.
Unique paribahan Gabtali counter 02 9002710 There are a few services available that offer a bus ride from Chittagong which takes 2 hours (the most available is Purbani at Bahaddarhaat).

From Cox's Bazar, it is a 3-hour busride (the most available is Purbani at Laaldighi). Purbani Bus Srvice, Phone:01820412800 (Chittagong), 0361-62508 (Bandarban)

It is possible to get to Bandarban directly from Rangamati by way of Chandraghona, but the perilous route is not advisable at all.

By car

Car rented from Chittagong, readily available from Bangladesh Enterprise (phone: +880 (0) 31 670512) at Chandgao, Al-Amin Enterprise (phone: +880 (0) 31 720600) or Alam Enterprise (phone: +880 (0) 31 714566) at Hazi Para in Agrabad, Bismilla Fashion (phone: +880 (0) 31 612749) at Reazuddin Bazar or Samara Fashions (phone: +880 (0) 31 615925) at Azimir Super Market at Monim Road, would take anyone to Bandarban. Though it is possible to rent a car at Dhaka to go all the way to Bandarban, it is not advisable in any way. Plainland drivers are generally lousy in the hills and they don't know the locality at all. It would be prudent to hire a driver who comes from Bandarban. Road mirror are there beside the sharp curve which driver need to look before crossing the curve.

By Jeep

Jeeps, Land Rovers and Land Cruisers are available in Bandarban Jeep station, under the Bandarban Jeep-Microbus Owners Association. They will say all the fares are fixed on the basis of route, but you will find lot of scope to bargain. Autos (locally called CNG) are also available, but they are not very safe.

Before renting any Jeeps, check whether they have spare wheels or not. On sunny days, tyre punctures are very common due to high road temperatures.

Some local Jeep drivers' cell numbers are: +8801860300418 (Mr. Jashim), +880184149091 (Mr. Kalam), +8801817721077 (Mr. Pintu, very clever but honest). All of these drivers are honest and caring.

Get around

See

• Nilgiri resort
• Meghla Parzatan Complex
• Chimbuk
• Neelachal Parzatan Complex
• Boga lake
• Tajingdong
• Nafkhum

Do

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

With a little luck, it is possible to stay at one of the numerous government rest houses, especially in quiet seasons. The most notable is the District Circuit House, followed by Hill Top Rest House, maintained by the District Administration, and the Forest Department rest House. Department of Roads and Highways have two rest houses of fair standards - one near Chimbuk, the other near the circuit house. But, these can not be booked in advance, unless the traveler is on government business or a government guest or employee. Budget: under $2, mid-range: $2-5, splurge: over $5 (standard double room).

Budget

In Bandarban Town, there are numerous inexpensive hotels, all of which are at Bandarban Bazaar, the market district of the town. The most prominent are:

• Bilkis Hotel, At the traffic Mor junction, +880 361 62061. Very cheap, with a fine view of River Sangu. Tk 30-80
• Jamal Boarding, Between the pouroshabha (municipality) and the Press Club., +880 361 62431. Mostly preferred by mainstream Bengali Muslims who come for business or work here. Tk 50-100
• Prue Abashika, Near the pouroshabha (municipality) at Bandrban Bazaar, +880 361 62257. Maintained by the Royal Family, preferred by the indigenous people. Tk 50-100

Mid-range

• Hotel Authiti, Marmabazaar, +880 361 62535. Maintained by the Press Club, at town center, on top of the Press Club, and has a magnificent view of river Sangu. Tk 120-400
• Hotel Green Hill, In the Press Club building at traffic Mor junction., +880 361 62574. Maintained by the Press Club at town center, on top of the Press Club, and has a magnificent view of river Sangu. Tk 150-350
• Hotel Hill Bird, Bandarban Bazaar, +880 361 62431. The oldest in the category, with a rent-a-car station at hand. Tk 150-350
• Hotel Royal, At Marmabazaar., +880 361 62431. Supposedly the best in the category. Flanked by the only Chinese restaurant in town. Tk 150-350
• Paharikia Guest House, after G.P.O (Chimbuk Road) at Hafez Ghona, +880 361 62565. Preferred by the indigenous people and long staying guests. Tk 250-300
• Purabi Hotel, Between traffic Mor junction and Ruma Bus Station, +880 361 62531. Tk 150-350

Splurge

• Hill Side Resort, Milonchari, +880 361 62414, +880 1199275691. Maintained by the Guide Tours. The best place to stay in Bandarban on top of Shoilo Propat. Maintained by Guide Tours this resort has a majestic view of Sangu River and features a cottage layout, Dhaka office Darpan Complex, 1st floor, Plot 2, Gulshan 2, Dhaka, +88029886983,+88029862205, +8801711696337. Tk 1000-1500
• Holiday Inn, Near Meghla, +880 361 62896. Maintained by District Administration. Not to be confused with the famous hotel chain. Tk 1000-1600 (negotiable)
• Hotel Four Star, Near DC office, VIP road., +880 361 62466, +880 1553421089. Maintained by Mr. Manik Choudhury. Tk 450-1500
• Parjatan Motel, Near Meghla, +880 361 62741, +880 361 62742. Maintained by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. Tk 750-3750

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