Risang Waterfall (রিসাং ঝর্ণা), also spelled Richang and known locally as Sapmara Risang Waterfall, is a natural hill waterfall in Sapmara village of Matiranga Upazila, Khagrachhari District, Bangladesh. Water slides off a tall rock face here like a natural water slide. I have traveled these hill districts for years, so this guide covers everything you need.

How do you reach Risang Waterfall?

You reach Risang Waterfall by first getting to Khagrachhari town, then taking a local vehicle about 11 kilometers toward Sapmara. Here is the short version before the full details below.

1. Reach Khagrachhari town by bus from Dhaka or Chittagong. If you fly, land at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong first, then continue by road.
2. From Khagrachhari town, hire a Chander Gari, a CNG auto-rickshaw, or a motorbike toward Matiranga and Sapmara.
3. Get off near the Risang trailhead, about 1 kilometer south of the Dhaka to Khagrachhari road.
4. Walk down the brick-paved slope, or take the 100-taka bike service if you would rather ride.
5. Finally, climb down the 235 concrete steps to reach the waterfall.

Quick tips: The rainy season gives the fullest flow, so plan around it. Foreign visitors need permission from the district administration, and everyone should check current local conditions before locking in dates. Also bring an extra set of clothes, because the rock slide can tear your pants.

Know more: Lama Bandarban Travel Guide

Where is Risang Waterfall located?

Risang Waterfall sits in Sapmara village, Matiranga Upazila, in Bangladesh’s Khagrachhari District. From Khagrachhari town, the falls are about 11 kilometers away. From the Alutila tourist center, they are only about 3 kilometers off. The trailhead sits roughly 1 kilometer south of the Dhaka to Khagrachhari road, at about 23.07°N, 91.94°E.

Getting down to the water takes a little effort. After you step off your vehicle, you follow a sloping hill path for a fair stretch. Then you descend 235 cast-concrete steps before the waterfall comes into view. For comfort, the local authorities have laid bricks along the slope and cast the stairs in concrete, so the footing is decent. A bike service also runs along the slope for anyone who wants to skip the walk, and it costs 100 taka per person.

The climb back up is the harder part. Because you start at the top and head down to the falls, you return along the same uphill path. So pace yourself and take the steps slowly to ease the strain on your knees.

How did Risang Waterfall get its name?

The name Risang comes from the Marma language of the Khagrachhari hills. In Marma, “ring” means water, and “chang” means something rolling down from a high place. Put together, Risang means water sliding down from a height. Locals also call it Terang Teikalai, and many know it as Sapmara Risang after the village.

People did not always know about this waterfall. Around 1993 to 1994, jhum farmers came across it while working the hills, and it slowly drew attention after that. Today the natural water slide, the green hills on every side, and the short adventurous walk down are the main reasons people come.

What is the natural water slide like?

The water slide is the main attraction at Risang Waterfall. The stream drops from a hilltop about 100 feet high, turns, and then runs down a long slanted rock. Because the rock face is smooth and angled, water glides over it in a sheet, and visitors slide down with it. Many people climb to the flatter spot at the top, sit, and let the current carry them down. It is free, and on a hot day it is the best part of the trip.

There is more than one fall here. Most visitors see the upper fall, which is the popular one. A second, smaller fall sits a couple of hundred meters downstream, so you can walk a little further if you want to see both. The stream itself is wide but shallow, which makes it easy to wade and cool off.

One honest warning. The rock is smooth, but a few slides can wear through your pants. So bring a spare set of clothes, and go down in a controlled way rather than racing. I have seen plenty of grinning visitors walk back up with torn trousers, and it is funny right up until it is you.

How to get to Risang Waterfall from Dhaka and Chittagong

Every trip to Risang Waterfall starts in Khagrachhari town, and you can reach it easily from both Dhaka and Chittagong.

From Dhaka

From Dhaka, several coach operators run to Khagrachhari, including Shyamoli, Shanti, Hanif, Saudia, Green Line, Saint Martin, S Alam, and BRTC. Both AC and non-AC buses serve the route. A non-AC ticket runs about 750 taka, while an AC ticket runs about 1,600 taka. These are mostly night services, so you can pick what suits your schedule.

From Chittagong

From Chittagong, buses leave the Oxygen intersection for Khagrachhari. BRTC and Shanti Paribahan both run this Khagrachhari to Chittagong route, and several local buses cover it too. These buses are non-AC. A ticket costs roughly 180 to 250 taka, and the ride takes about 4 to 5 hours. For travelers flying in, Chittagong’s Shah Amanat International Airport is the nearest air gateway, after which you continue by road.

From Khagrachhari town to the falls

Once you reach Khagrachhari town, take a Chander Gari, a CNG auto-rickshaw, or a motorbike out to the falls. Match the vehicle to your group size. A Chander Gari seats 10 to 12 people comfortably, so it works well for a team. Two other spots, the Alutila Cave and a Buddhist temple, sit close to Risang, and you can cover all three in one outing if you have the time. Tell your driver every spot you plan to visit before you agree on a price. For the full circuit, a Chander Gari usually costs 2,000 to 3,000 taka, and a CNG costs 800 to 1,000 taka. Seeing all three spots takes about 4 to 5 hours. Always bargain before you get in, the same way you would dodge common tourist traps elsewhere.

This region is also the usual jumping-off point for longer trips up to Sajek Valley, so many travelers pair the two over a few days.

When is the best time to visit Risang Waterfall?

The best time to visit Risang Waterfall is during and just after the rainy season, when the falls carry the most water. From roughly June through October, the monsoon keeps the stream full, and the slide works at its best. In the dry months the flow thins out, so the slide is weaker and far less fun.

That said, very heavy rain brings its own risks. Strong current and slippery rock make sliding dangerous at peak flood, and hill roads can turn muddy. For a balance of good water and safe footing, the tail end of the monsoon and the weeks right after it tend to work well. Picking the right season makes a real difference here, and the same logic helps for any hill trip. Compared with bigger, multi-day routes like the Nafakhum waterfall trail in Bandarban, Risang is short and beginner-friendly, which is why families like it.

Where can you eat near Risang Waterfall?

You will find a few grocery shops right near Risang Waterfall, and they sell water, soft drinks, biscuits, and other light snacks. For a proper meal, head back to Khagrachhari town. The bus stand area and the Shapla Chattar (Shapla Square) area both have plenty of restaurants, so you can eat whatever you like there. I usually carry water and a few snacks down to the falls, then sit down for a real meal in town afterward.

Where can you stay in Khagrachhari?

Khagrachhari town has residential hotels and boarding houses across a range of prices. Hotel rates run from about 500 taka up to 3,500 taka, so you can match a room to your budget and taste. Around Shapla Chattar, simpler boarding houses go for about 300 to 400 taka. For a day trip you may not need a room at all. However, if you are pairing Risang with other spots, staying a night in town keeps things relaxed.

Safety tips for visiting Risang Waterfall

A few simple precautions keep a Risang Waterfall trip smooth and fun. The path and the slide are easy for most people, yet the steps and the rock still call for care.

• Keep children and older travelers close. The slope and the 235 steps can be tricky for them, so hold hands and move slowly.
• Watch your footing on the stairs. They are solid, but they get slick when wet, so take them one at a time.
• Carry a spare set of clothes. The slide is smooth, however repeated slides can tear your pants.
• Slide down in a controlled way. Do not race or push, since the rock is hard and the run is long.
• Stay snake-aware on the trail. The village name Sapmara even points to snakes, so stick to the path, and it helps to know the basics of handling a snake bite on a hill trail.
• Check current conditions first. The hill districts can see strikes or road blockades at times, so confirm the local situation and travel updates before you set your dates. Foreign nationals also need permission from the district administration.

FAQs on Risang Waterfall

Is there an entry fee for Risang Waterfall?

I have not seen a fixed entry fee for the waterfall itself, and sliding is free. You will still pay for transport, the optional 100-taka bike service down the slope, and any food or lodging.

How many steps are there at Risang Waterfall?

There are 235 concrete steps from the top of the trail down to the falls. You also climb the same steps on the way back, so save some energy for the return.

Can you swim at Risang Waterfall?

Yes, you can wade and cool off, since the stream is wide but shallow. Many visitors also slide down the rock and splash in the water at the base.

How far is Risang Waterfall from Khagrachhari town?

Risang Waterfall is about 11 kilometers from Khagrachhari town. It is also only about 3 kilometers from the Alutila tourist center, which makes it easy to combine the two.

Is Risang Waterfall good for families and beginners?

Yes, it is one of the easier hill spots to reach, so it works well for families and first-timers. Just mind the steps, and keep an eye on young children near the slide.

Final thoughts

Risang Waterfall is one of the simplest and most rewarding hill trips in Khagrachhari. You get a real natural water slide, green hills on every side, and a short walk that most people can handle. Plan your visit for the wetter months, bring a spare set of clothes, and give yourself time to pair it with Alutila nearby. Also bargain for your ride, watch your step on the stairs, and check current conditions before you go. Do that, and you will have an easy, memorable day in the hills.