Photo of Sangu River — Mohammed Tawsif Salam · CC BY-SA 3.0
Destination guide
Sangu River
সাঙ্গু নদী
A hill river born in Myanmar's mountains that runs some 294 km to the Bay of Bengal — the Marma call it the river of clear water. The engine-boat ride where the river threads between hills is a classic Bandarban experience; there are waterfalls along the banks and villages like Baraitoli that no road reaches.
History & significance
The name is thought to be a British-era mispronunciation of 'Shongkho' (conch), recorded as Sangu in the 1860 gazetteer.
How to get there
For the town-side trip head to Keching Ghat — 5–7 minutes by auto or chander gari from town, with boats right at the ghat. For the far trips (Tindu–Remakri direction) you first reach Thanchi and reserve boats there.
Entry fee
৳1,000–5,000 · traveller-reported
The boat fare is the main cost — town-side, a whole boat to one point (Baraitoli direction) is quoted at ৳1,000; on the Thanchi side, up to Remakri runs ৳4,000–5,000 with a max of 5–6 passengers per boat. A guide adds ৳1,000. Bargain the fare.
Opening hours & best time
No fixed ghat schedule — boats run from morning to late afternoon; for a sunset trip many advise booking a day ahead.
Best time
Winter (November–February) is called the perfect window — fog and calm water. Monsoon makes the river most alive but the current is strong. In the dry season, low water upstream leaves boats scraping rocks.
Traveller tips
Wear a life jacket — the groups that did toured at ease.
For the Tindu–Remakri direction carry several NID copies — BGB registers you at post after post.
Book boats a day ahead through a ghat guide, and settle the fare with a proper bargain.