Rangamati is the most popular destination in the Chittagong Hill Tracts for Bangladeshi
visitors, who come to enjoy the scenic splendour of Kaptai Lake, the country’s largest
artificial lake, which was created in 1960 for hydroelectricity. The lake, dotted with
islands, is unquestionably beautiful, and a boat trip across it is a fantastic way to spend
a day out here, but it’s worth knowing that approximately 100,000 Adivasis – mostly
Chakma – were displaced when it was created, and around 40% of the land they
previously cultivated was submerged forever.
PLACES TO VISIT :
Kaptai Lake
Kaptai lake, beautiful blue watery lake was made by man. The size of Lake is
approximately 11000 sq km. You will enjoy the natural beauty of this lake as well as
boating on the lake. It is a huge lake and it has some tiny islands. Each island has
different name such as “Peda Ting-Ting”, “Tuk-Tuk Echo Village”, “Chang-Pang” etc.
“Peda Ting-Ting” is a tiny island and here you will find cottages to stay and enjoy
moonlight night with fantastic lake surroundings. “Tuk-Tuk” is an echo park with varities
of trees and plants. It is a great place for boating and cruising.
Hanging Bridge is 335 feet long bridge across a portion of the Kaptai lake is an icon of
Rangamati. Actually Rangamati is famous for this bridge.It’s really a very beautiful
bridge. Every year thousands of people come here to visit this bridge.
Shajek
Sajek is a union at Baghaichari Upazila in Rangamati districts. It is one of the big union
in Rangamati districts. Basically it is name of a river which separates Bangladesh from
India. The river flows into the Karnafuli River in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Sajek Valley
is situated in the North angle of Rangamati, near the Mizoram border boundary area.
The valley is 18000 ft high form sea lavel. Many small rivers flow through the hills
among them Kachalon and Machalong are famous. It is one of the biggest union in
Bangladesh.
The main ethnic minorities on the valley are Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Pankua, Lushai
and Sagma. Before traveling there, be alert about malaria. There is some body lotion or
cream to prevent the mosquito. The place is known as hill queen for its natural beauty
and roof of Rangamati. Marishsha is a name of a place near Sajek Valley. Most of the
houses are made by bamboo.
Most attractions of the spot are sun set, rain, morning, evening, and night and aborigine
people. Tourist can buy aborigine people product from indigenous Haat. Roads are like
big snake spirals mountains. Most of the people are Buddhist and people are Christian
here.
Peda Ting Ting
A small island on the Kaptai Lake, few kilometres away from Rangamati. It is mostly
known for its serenity. There are a few tourist accommodation facilities here and a tiny
restaurant run by the locals. It offers foods ranging from traditional to indigenous
delicacies.
DC Bungalow Area
The District Commissioner’s Bungalow is located adjacent to the lake. There is a small
light house and a shelter accessible to the public. This spot provides a nice view of the
lake.
Hanging Bridge
This 335feet long bridge across a portion of the Kaptai lake is an icon of Rangamati.
WHAT TO EAT:
Sabarang Restaurant, Rajbari Road, Rangamati (Take a CNG and stop at Rajbari
Road). 9 am to 9 pm. Sabarang Restaurant provides authentic indigenous Chakma
cuisine as well as Thai and Chinese. "Sabarang" is a special fragrant herb found in
Rangamati. "Shugor Ehra Khola" (Pork Stew), "Boda Hebang" (Bamboo-Steamed
Eggs), "Bhach Churi" (Bamboo Shoots), "Amile Toan", "Khuro Gudiye" (Chicken) and
other delicious morsels of local cuisine are found here. Taka 250 to Taka 2000.
Chakma Shop, Most Chakma Shops (Everywhere). 9 am to 2 am. "Dochuani" "Joghora"
"Kanjhee" are alcoholic drinks of the native Chakma people. The first is strong and
packs quite a punch! "Dochuani" literally means "double distilled". "Joghora" is a sweet
sugary alcoholic drink. It tastes good and seems harmless but makes a person tipsy
after about 10 minutes. "Kanjhee" is about as strong as wine and has a tangy flavour to
it. 100 to 200 Taka.
WHERE TO LIVE :
Circuit House
Address: Amanat bagh,Vedvedi Area,Rangamati.
Tel:0351-62304(office);0352-62308(Residence);0351-62240(VIP-1);0351-62081(VIP-2)
E-mail:dcrangamati@moestab.gov.bd
Forest Rest House or BON BIVAG Rest House
Address: Banarupa, Rangamati.
Tel:0351-63351(office);0351-63352(res)
LGED Rest House
Address:T.N.T Area(near Rangamati General Hospital),Rangamati
Tel:0351-63148(office);0351-63252(Res)
USAI Rest House
Address:Amanatbagh, Vedvedi Area, Rangamati
Tel:0351-63389(office);0351-2283(Res)
Zila Parishad Rest House
Agricultural Division (Krishi Bivagh) Rest House
Address: Tribel Adam,Banarupa Area
Tel: 0351-62324(office);0351-66146(Res)
Electircity/Power Development Board Rest House
Address:Champpok nagar, Banarupa
Tel:0351-62288(Office);0351-62253(Res)
BISIC Rest House
Address: Near Rangamati Stadium
Tel: 0351-62037(office)
Parjatan Holiday Complex
Address: Near Boarder Guard Bangladesh(BGB) Sector,Tabalchari Area,Rangamati
Tel: 0351-63126(office)
Non-Government Residential Hotel
Hotel Sufia
Address: Kathaltali Area(near Fishery Ghat)
Tel: 0351-61178;0351-62145
Hotel Green Castle
Address: Reserv Bazar Area,Rangamati
Tel: 0351-71214 and 0351-61200
Mobile: 01726511532, 01815459146
Motel JOJ
Address: College gate,Rangamati
Tel: 0351-63348
Mobile: 01558480701
Hotel Al-Moba
Address: New Bus Station,Reserv Bazar,Rangamati
Tel: 0351-61959
Mobile: 01811911158
Hotel Mountain View
Address: Shiddhibhaban (near Burmise Market),Tabalchari Area,Rangamati
Tel: 0351-62748
Mobile: 01553440324
Hotel Dignity
Address: North Kalindipur Area, Rangamat
Tel: 0351-62364
Hotel Shapla
Address: New Court Building Road,Rangamati
Tel: 0351-63235
Mobile: 01819636955
Hotel Raju
Address: New Bus Station,Reserv Bazar,Rangamati
Tel: 0351-62910
Mobile: 01811258305,01820303578
HOW TO GO:
You can come to Rangamati by bus from Chittagong there is two direct bus services.
One is Paharika which starts from Chittagong at 8AM to 8PM and from Rangamati at
8AM to 8:50PM in every one hour interval and takes around 3 hours. The Paharika Bus
fare is 120tk (As of june 2015) and you can get the tickets from Muradpur, Oxygen Mor.
Another bus sservice is BRTC which is the only A/C service to Rangamati. Fare is 130tk
and ticket can be bought from BRTC counter near Bottali railway station. There are lots
of Local Bus towards Rangamati from the same Oxegen but those buses stops at any
point where there is passenger which overloads the bus all-times and takes 4~5 hours
journey. There are a few direct buses from the capital Dhaka. These buses are not
airconditioned. There are some local buses from the nearby districts.
You can also drive into Rangamati from Chittagong.
Foreigners are required to register while entering Rangamati.