Top 5 places to visit in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is not a popular destination for travelers, I think it’s because most people don’t know about the beauty and natural wonders of Bangladesh. This country is the land of green countryside, serpentine river, from forests to beaches and waterfalls hitched with a rich culture. Your Asia trip will be incomplete without visiting this amazing country. Backpacking in Bangladesh will definitely add some unique experiences and unforgettable memories. Especially the people! I can guarantee that there is no such place in the world you could find more smiley faces than Bangladesh. This country has some unique places like Largest mangrove forest Sundarbans and the longest sandy beach Cox’s bazaar.
It’s really very hard to sort out top 5 places from the long list of incredibly beautiful places. You can easily spend a month exploring the country but here are the top 5 places you must keep in your checklist when backpacking in Bangladesh. These places are my personal favorites and I guess you will also like it.
1. Sundarbans
Deers are everywhere in Sundarbans
The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world and the territory of the Royal Bengal Tigers. The Sundarbans is comprised of the southern part of Bangladesh and some part of India. The total area of Sundarbans covers approximately 10,000 square kilometers (3,900 sq mi), 60% in Bangladesh and 40% in India. The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the largest natural forest in Bangladesh and it’s the only place you can see wild tigers.
Sundarbans
If you want to have the full taste of the Sundarbans, spend few days inside the forest and enter the deep forest and walk through the tiger trail. You can observe the tiger’s footprint in the walkway. The Bay of Bengal starts where the deep forest ends. The feeling can’t be described if you have never explored there. Though there is less possibility to meet with the tiger but you can enjoy a mob of spotted deer, reptiles, monkeys and different birds. Beside the forest contains Kochikhali spot where contains Kochikhali beach. You can wander the small lake by boat and also can catch fishes by the fishhook.
Winter morning in Sundarbans
Additional info: Best time to visit the forest in November-March. Most of the travel agencies arrange the trip to Sundarbans this time of the year. It’s recommended to contact a travel agency to manage the trip for you.
2. Sajek valley
Ruilui para
Language failed to describe the beauty of Sajek valley! People call this place the roof of Rangamati. The valley is 1,800 ft high from sea level, situated on top of a mountain. A place where you can sleep on the hill like a pillow and embrace the cloud. You will feel like you’re in the dreamland floating over the clouds before the sun peeps through a cloudy sky. It looks more appealing at the evening.
View from the road to Konlak para
The is a tribal village named ‘Ruilui para’ where you can see the old inhabitants called Lusai. There is another village nearby named Konglok para. Konglok is famous for its orange orchard and you can see the Lusai hill of India from where the Karnafuli river originates. Don’t miss the chance to try some local fruits on Konglok para, especially banana and papaya.
This road to Sajek Valley
Additional info: It’s the biggest union in Bangladesh. Located at the North angle of Rangamati district, near the India-Bangladesh borderline. Though it’s situated in Rangamati but it’s easy to get there from Khagrachari town. Main transportation is Chander Gari, a four wheel car specially designed for the hilly road. It not so far from the town only 62KM but it may take 3hours by car/Chander gari, because of hilly road.
3. Saint Martin’s Island
This St Martin’s Island is an outstanding place to escape from the holds of suffocating and stressful life. It’s the most beautiful island in Bangladesh and a great tourist attraction. It’s the only coral island which is often called the marine paradise of Bangladesh.
Saint Martin Island. Photograph by Khalil ahmed shamim
It’s locally called ‘Narikel Jinjira’ that means Coconut island and again many people call it ‘Daruchini Dip’ for its enchanted landscape and elusive crystal blue water of the Bay of Bengal. The island is a combination of sun, sea and palm trees. During the tourist season, the island comes with beach parties, bonfires at the evening. You may enjoy engine boat and speed boat in the blue water around the island. The white beaches are popular with the travelers and they are beautifully bordered with tall coconut trees and blue crystal clear water that creep onto the sand.
The map of saint martin’s island
As it’s called ‘Narikel Jinjira’ , so you can guess there are lots of green coconuts available which are bigger than normal size and very cheap at the same time. Sea fish, lobster and crab are the main attractions of this Island. Koral, Sundori, Hilsha, Rupchanda, Prawn etc are also famous. Those who are shutki(dry fish) lovers, it is the ideal island for them. Again, pickles are also available which have also got popularity among the visitors.
Saint Martin’s Island. Photograph by Khalil Ahmed Shamim
It has an extension known as Chera dip which was said to be divided during the tide. Here you’ll find lots of beautiful and colorful living and dead corals which you can gather as a good kind of collection.
Ferry from Teknaf to St. Martin’s Island. Photograph by Russell John
Additional info: The island is located in the northern part of the Bay of Bengal, 9km south of the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf mainland. Lots of direct bus departure from Dhaka to Teknaf every day. If you are heading from cox’s bazar, there are buses, vans and ‘chander gari’ to go Teknaf. From Teknaf ships and ferries are the only way to go saint martin island. The best time to visit the island is November-February. March-July is not safe, cyclones can strike but you can still visit that time also.
4. Nafa Khum Waterfall
There is lots of waterfall in Bangladesh but Nafakhum is one of the most beautiful waterfalls. It is located in the wild hilly Sangu river at a remote area known as Remakri of Thanchi Upazila under Bandarban Hill District. It’s the largest waterfall in Bangladesh by volume of water falling. To get there is also an adventure, especially the boat journey on the wild Sangu river will blow your mind for few hours.
Thanchi ghat on Sangu river, Where the adventurous boat journey starts. Photograph by Rabayet Sadnan
Wide and the open sky over the head, hide and seek game of light and shade and beautiful sound of roaring waves of the waterfalls make the place heavenly! By watching around hills and mountains, rivers and stony lake, one may imagine as the art by an artist.
In the Sangu river near Remakri , one fish called ‘nafa’ fish is found. The specialty of this fish is- they move against the wave. By moving against the wave, when they jump in order to reach the waterfall, the fisherman catches the fishes by net or by clothes.
Nafa Khum waterfall. Photograph by Md. Asif Hossain
Those who want to see the natural beauty of the waterfall, visit in the month of September-October. At this time, the water falling from the height strikes the downward water intensely and create a dense fog around. You can also enjoy the melody of the beautiful waterfall.
Views from Nilgiri. Photography by Exploring Bangladesh
Another beautiful place called Nilgiri will be on the road side from Bandarban to Thanchi road. Its 2400fts from the sea level where you will see the clouds dancing on the hills. Nilgiri means Blue Mountain and this place truly deserve one/two hours to some rest and where you can take your lunch or snacks.
Remakri Bazar, Bandarban. Photography by Exploring Bangladesh
Additional info: The best time to visit the place is September-October. At this time, the water falling from the height strikes the downward water intensely and create a dense fog around. Many bus services are available from Dhaka to Bandarban. From Bandarban, there is public buses to Thanchi but the best way to go there is hire a Chader gari(A local four wheel jeep). Some people prefer to stay a night at Thanchi to explore the locals. The next day morning take a boat to Remakri or Tindu. Nafakhum is 3 hours trekking from Remakri.
5. Cox’s Bazaar sea beach
Cox’s bazar, a wide long sandy beach is the longest sea beach (120 km long) in the world. It’s located on the eastern coastline of Bangladesh. It’s nominated as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Cox’s bazar, The longest sandy beach. Photography by Yashra
Here sky and sea embrace each other. When the sun rises it seems fiery round shape globe coming from the sea. It gives the opportunity to see the beauty of the sunset behind the waves. When the light falls on the sand it shines like a pearl.
You can flock to the fashion market near the shore where beautiful handicrafts, show- piece and jewelry from shells are sold.
The soft light of the moon at moonlit night will blow your mind with its amazing beauty and a magnetizing power. It’s enough to produce a dreamy impression on your mind.
Additional info: People visit this place all over the year so it’s the most touristy place in Bangladesh. Foods, transports and accommodations are fairly available and cheap here. You can get there by bus or flight from Dhaka.
