8 Best Winter Travel destinations in Bangladesh

September 26, 2023, 11:04 AM
by Shahriar Rabab

UNB News
Publish- September 26, 2023, 11:04 AM
Shahriar Rabab
Update- September 26, 2023, 12:32 PM

8 Best Winter Travel destinations in Bangladesh

Saint Martin’s Island (Image: Collected from Facebook)

Bangladesh being on the tropical spectrum of the climate, experiences a moderate winter season. Apart from the northern regions of the country, the mild winter season makes for a perfect time to go for a vacation and explore the diverse landscape of the country. With that said, here are the 8 top popular tourist destinations in Bangladesh for spending winter vacation.

Top Place to Visit in Bangladesh During Winter

Saint Martin’s Island

One of the prime attractions of winter travel is Saint Martin’s island. This Bea coral island is situated in the south of Bangladesh off the coast of Cox’s Bazar. The ship operation to St. Martin remains closed from April to October. It begins in early November and runs through March for the winter and spring seasons.

Every year, millions of tourists flock to the island to experience the serene landscape and the blue lagoon all around. Getting to St. Martin Island is also easy. There are direct bus services from Dhaka to Teknaf. From Teknaf, there is an abundance of ships and launches going to St. Martin. It takes about two and a half to three hours by ship to get to the island.

To protect the biodiversity and environment of this coral island, the government of Bangladesh has taken some initiatives. Tourists are required to take permission before visiting this island.

Make sure to take ample winter clothes as nights can get pretty cold. Take note of the tides to experience the unobstructed beach along the coast of the island.

Kuakata

Kuakata is famous for being the only place in Bangladesh where one can enjoy both sunrise and sunset. Often referred to as the “Daughter of the Sea”, Kuakata is comparatively less crowded than Cox’s Bazar during the peak travel season.

Kuakata (Image: Collected from Facebook)

Tourists can visit the beautiful beach which offers a pristine view of the sunrise and the sunset every day. But the beach isn’t all there is to Kuakata. Gangamati reserved forest during winter takes on a charming look that is sure to mesmerise anyone. There is also Fatrar Char and the local Buddhist temple which offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

Diverse resorts or hotels are available in Kuakata to accommodate the tourists. However, it would be wise to book accommodation in advance before reaching Kuakata, as this place is often crowded with local and international tourists.

Lalakhal

Situated in Jaintiapur of Sylhet District, Lalakhal is a wide canal that attracts tourists because of its blue water. The best thing about Lalakhal is the serene water and the surrounding small hills which make for a breathtaking scene. The views get even more alleviated on a clear winter morning with slight hints of dew and mist all around.

The best time to visit Lalakhal is from November to February. The water level of the canal is at the optimum level during this time making it the perfect time for the boating experience.

Lalakhal (Image: Collected from Wikipedia)

If you are visiting during the second half of the day, make sure to book the boat till sunset. Lalakhal with its clear water provides a magical experience during the golden hour. Tourists might even get to see the migratory birds during peak winter. So plan ahead accordingly.

Tourists can come to Sylhet city and then take a local bus or hire private transport to arrive at Jaintia. There is no direct route to reach Lalakhal from Dhaka city.

Tanguar Haor

Another must-visit place during the winter season is the Tanguar Haor located in Sunamganj district. Tanguar Haor is one of the largest wetland areas in Bangladesh and is a certified area of biodiversity and conservation.

Tanguar Haor (Image: Collected from Wikipedia)

It comprises about 100 sq km area of wetlands around Sunamganj. The main attraction of Tanguar Haor is the boat trip on the pristine waters. The open vastness of the wetland allows the tourists to navigate through the beautiful natural landscape of the area.

Get up early in the morning for a unique bird watching experience in the Haor areas, especially during the winter. Many migratory birds come into the wetlands during the winter. Kingfishers, herons, and egrets are frequently spotted in Tanguar Haor.

To get to Tanguar Haor, tourists will first need to get to Sunamganj. From there, head over to Sripur Bazar to hire a boat to the Haor.

Sreemangal

Sylhet and tea are almost synonymous. And Sreemangal of Sylhet is famous for its beautiful and pristine tea gardens. It is situated in the Moulvibazar district. Sreemangal is often dubbed as the tea capital of Bangladesh due to a large number of tea estates and gardens as well as the birthplace of 7 colored tea.

Sreemangal (Image: Collected from Facebook)

Beyond the tea gardens, Sreeemangal is famous for the Madhabpur Lake, Baikka Beel, Lawachara Rain Forest, Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Hum Hum waterfall. For bird enthusiasts, Madhabpur Lake is a must-visit place considering it’s the only confirmed location where the great white-bellied heron appears.

Getting to Sreemangal from Dhaka city is quite easy as tourists can either take the bus or the train to Sreemangal. Keep warm clothes during the winter as it gets pretty cold in Sreemangal during the night in winter.

Sitakunda

Located in the Chattogram district, Sitakunda is a hill town located in the southeastern part of Bangladesh. The place is famous for its scenic beauty, historical sites, and natural attractions.

Sitakunda (Image: Collected from Wikipedia)

There are a lot of attractions and activities in and around Sitakunda. The most prominent ones are the Chandranath Temple in Chandranath Hill, the Sarvasiddhi Bihar Buddhist temple, and the Keokradong Peak, the highest in Bangladesh.

Sitakunda offers a lot of hiking and trekking routes so it's best to visit here during the winter. The hot and humid summer of Bangladesh isn't really ideal for hiking and trekking. Getting to Sitakunda is pretty easy via Chittagong City.

Bandarban

Bandarban is another great hiking and trekking destination in winter for the adventurous tourists. Although the place attracts tourists all year round, the winter is the perfect time for trekking and hiking around all the waterfalls and hills in the region.

There are Thanchi, Nafakhum, and Amiakhum waterfall treks which offer adventure and breathtaking views unlike any other.

Nilgiri Bandarban (Image: Collected from Facebook)

For those looking for a more relaxed experience, there’s Boga Lake and Nilgiri Hills to experience the serene atmosphere all around.

Rangamati

Rangamati is another picturesque district located in the southeastern part of Bangladesh. It is situated within the Chattogram Hill Tracts and is known for its stunning landscapes, serene lakes, and vibrant indigenous cultures.

The most famous attractions of Rangamati include Kaptai Lake, the Hanging Bridge, and Sajek Valley. Winter is the best time to visit Rangamati as the calm and cool weather makes for a comfortable experience. There are also several hiking and trekking options leading to Barkal Lake and Shuvolong Waterfall.

Visitors can also try out traditional Chakma and Marma cuisines prepared in different interesting ways. Getting to Rangamati is also quite easy via Chittagong city.

Kaptai Lake, Rangamati (Image: Collected from Wikipedia)

Final Words

Bangladesh with all its seasonal beauties offers something unique and exciting in every season. Though in some locations of the country, winter days are gloomy and foggy, several locations offer calm and breathtaking experiences for travellers. Winter travelling in Bangladesh is a fun and exciting experience. It is also the perfect time as the weather is neither too hot from the summer nor wet from the monsoon.

So far, we have picked 8 most renowned winter travel destinations in Bangladesh. Visitors just need to decide where to go first.