Nilachal, Bandarban
Photo: Moheen Reeyad · CC BY-SA 4.0

Bandarban District · Chattogram Division · নীলাচল

Nilachal travel guide

A hilltop near town; sunsets and views of ranges of hills.

🗓️ Best time to visitOctober–March; afternoon
⏱ How long it takes1.5–2 hours
💰 Estimated costSmall entry fee; CNG return ৳500–700

At a glance

Height
About 1,600 ft
Location
Tiger Para, 6 km from Bandarban town
Run by
District administration
Best time
Afternoon, sunset

History and details

Nilachal is the high tourist spot closest to Bandarban town, developed by the district administration in the 2000s. As it's quick to reach from town, many people go on their first afternoon.

Viewpoints and seating have been built on several levels of the summit. On a clear day you see rolling hills all around, Bandarban town below and far towards Chattogram. In the monsoon, when clouds come down, Nilachal is wrapped in cloud too.

Things to do

  • Watch the hills change colour from the viewpoint at sunset
  • Spend a night at a resort next to Nilachal
  • Visit together with Meghla in the same afternoon

How to get to Nilachal

About 6 km from Bandarban town; by CNG.

Bandarban is about 330 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 7–8 hours.

  • 🚌 By bus: Direct Shyamoli, Hanif, S. Alam and Saint Martin Paribahan buses from Sayedabad/Kalabagan; non-AC ৳850–1,000, AC ৳1,500–2,000.
  • 🚗 By road: About 2.5 hours by bus from Chattogram to Bandarban.

Where to stay

  • Several resorts and cottages next to Nilachal

What to eat

Bamboo shoots, bamboo chicken, hill vegetables and fruit

Good to know

  • Few vehicles back after dark — arrange one beforehand

More to see nearby

  • Meghla Tourist Complex (5 km)
  • Golden Temple (8 km)
  • Bandarban Rajbari (6 km)

More places to visit in Bandarban district

  • Nilgiri — About 2,200 ft up; at dawn you can see clouds below your feet.
  • Golden Temple (Buddha Dhatu Jadi) — A golden Theravada Buddhist temple on a hilltop.
  • Boga Lake — A natural lake about 1,200 ft up; you can stay here on the way to Keokradong.
  • Keokradong — One of the country's highest peaks; a favourite with trekkers.
  • Nafakhum Waterfall — One of the country's biggest waterfalls, on the Sangu.
  • Meghla Tourist Complex — A family outing with a lake, hanging bridges and a cable car.
  • Chimbuk Hill — A high hill on the way to Nilgiri; Mro villages and views of clouds.
  • Shoilopropat — A small waterfall right by the road; Bawm handwoven goods for sale.
  • Debotakhum — A deep, cold pool between sheer rock walls; you float in on a bamboo raft.

Location on the map