Up-and-coming Ratanakiri is making a name for itself as a diverse reegion of outstanding natural beauty that's also a remote home for a mosaic of minority people Jarai, Tampuen, Brau and Kreung - with their own languages, traditions and customs. Adrenalin activities abound. Swim in clear volcanic lakes, shower under water-falls, or trek in the vast Virachey National MPark, it's all here. Tourism looks all set to take off, but that's if the lowland politicians and generals do not plunder the place first.
Ratanakiri is the front line in the battle for land, and the slash-and-burn minorities are losing out thanks to their tradition of collective ownership. Hopefully someone wakes up and smells the coffe - there's plenty of that as well - before it's too late.
Ratanakiri Sights
Boeng Yeak Loam (admission US$1) is one of the most serene and sublimely beautiful sites in all of Cambodia. This clear blue crater lake, surrounded by dark green jungle, is sacred to the indigenous minority peoples. It's a great place to take a dip, although Cambodians jump in fully clothed. The NGO-run Cultural & Environmental Centre (8:00am to 5:30pm), 500m around the lake, displays traditional Tampuen crafts. The adjacent kiosk sells authentic Tampueng crafts and rents inner tubes.
Boeng Yeak Laom is 4 km east of Bang Lung, turn right at the statue of the minority family. Moto cost about US$4 return, a bit more if the driver has to wait around.
Ban Lung
Affectionately known as 'dey krahorm' (red earth) after its rust-colored affliction , Ban Lung provides a popular base for a range of Ratanakiri romps. It is one of the easiest places in Cambodia to arrange a jungle trek and has several beautiful lakes and waterfalls nearby. Members of highland minorities, woven baskets on their backs, come from nearby village to buy and sell at the market.
Around Pan Lung
Waterfalls
Within 10km of Ban lung, you can visit spectacular Chaa Ong, set in a jungle gorge, Ka Tieng , with a rock shelf that offers the opportunity to clamber behind and vines to swing over the splash pool, and Kin chaan (Kachanh). Directions are signposted 3km west of town on the road to Stung Treng and admission to eac is 2000 r.
Where To Sleep in Ratanakiri
Hotel Terres Rouges Lodge
Terres Rouge Lodge is a boutique hotel
In a gorgeous lakeshore garden, this atmospheric complex have 23 rooms, including superb Balinese-style
bungalows with open-plan bathrooms and antique decor. Amenities include a spa, Khmer sauna and an inviting swimming pool.
Price: US$40-$85
website: www.ratanakiri-lodge.com/
Lakeside Hotel
Lakesite is a new hotel next door to Chheng Lok, and the architecture is an improvement on the mod-Khmer that predominates in town. Room include nice touches like silk hangkings and a kettle. Opt for a balcony lakeview.
Price: $10 to $25
Tel: (855) 012 233 312
Tree Top Ecolodge Guesthouse
Setting the standard for budget digs in the northeast, rough-hewn walkways lead to all-wood bungalows with mosquito-nets, thatch roofs and verandas with verdant valley views. The restaurant dangles over a lush rawine, affording great views of the hillside beyond.
Price: $7 to $15, Wifi
Tel: (855) 012 490 333
website: www.treetop-ecolodge.com/
Ratanakiri became a province of Kingdom of Cambodia in 1960 under King Norodom Sihanouk's reign. Banlung is the capital city of Ratanakiri, situated in the highland, along the National Road No19 from Ou porng Moan to the Vietnam border about 200 km. ( Ou´ porng Moan-Banlung is about 120km, Banlung-Vietnam 80k.m)
Ratanakiri is situated on the north - east plateau , 636 Km from Phnom Penh. It is bordering Vietnam on the east, Laos PDR on the North, Steung Treng on the West and Mondul Kiri on the South. There are two rivers crossing the province ( Sre Pork and Sresan River )
A sparsely populated province, it is renowned for its unique natural beauty and wealth of natural resources. The physical and environmental characteristic of the province forms an impressive range including undulating hills and mountains, a level plateau, watershed lowlands, crater lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Forest cover varies from area to area, from the dense impenetrable forest in the northern reaches, which are still rich in wildlife, to the drier and sparser forest, found in the southwest. Similarly, the soil types present range from rich volcanic soil to the sandy soil found near rivers.Thus Ratanakiri province offers wonderful opportunities for Eco-tourism in Cambodia.
Economic Potentiality
Ratanakiri is scarcely populated, and it is also true that the capital city does not have an adequate market, but if we can conclude that Ratanakiri abundantly possesses a variety of natural resources, they could then satisfactorily served as important elements to develop the national economy. Underground and on land resources are gold, mine, gem stone, granite, onyx, fertile red soil, water sources ( home of wild animals ), luxury and quality wood and above all, the beautiful weather with fresh and pure air, and yearly rain.
Transportation
By land : (636 km)from Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham - Kracheh (Overnight ), continue to Rattanakkiri by car. From Phnom Penh to Steung Treng by boat in raining season (Overnight) , continue to Ratanakiri by plane or car.
The popular kinds of transportation in banlung ( Ratanakiri ) are car, motorbike, elephants riding, boat or trekking.
VI. Population and ethnic Minorities Ratanakiri Province number 94,243.
The minorities represent 75.77 % of it.
Minority House
They like to live in the jungles, hills, mountains in small separated villages where they make their living through traditional ways of cultivation ( shifting agriculture), hunting and collecting fruits, must from the forest. They believe in spirits, derived from their animism beliefs.
Climate
Ratanakiri Province has a climate like the other areas in the country, there are 3 seasons :
- Rainy season:June - October
- Cool season:November- February
- Hot season: March- May: Temperature: from 20o-32oc
Tourist Attractions
1.Yeak Loam Lake
Yeak Loam Lake is situated 5 km. south - east of Banlung. The Yeak Loam lake (volcanic crater) is the most beautiful lake of Ratanakiri formed by a volcanic eruption almost 4,000 years ago with 50 m. deep, 800 m. diameter and a walking path around the lake of 2,500 m. Two hundred meters of the track is a quaint wooden building housing tribal handicraft, the Crafts Museum.
2. Eisey Patamak Mountain
At the top of Phnom Svay is the statue of a reclining Buddha, situated 2.5 km. Awesome and peaceful, it has lain undisturbed throughout the years. Cast your eye outwards to glimpse Laos in the north and Vietnam in the east, and enjoy the spellbinding serenity of the surrounding countryside.
3. Kachang Waterfall
Kachang Waterfall is situated 6km. north - west of Banlung. This Waterfall is located in the Kontung stream and flows into the Sre Pok River. The height of it is 12 m. and the water flows and falls throughout the year. A beautiful or magnificent landscape and huge amounts of fresh mist surround the waterfall. The visitors can take a bath and sit to look at the waterfall and other natural scenic beauties. or the visitors can also go around to view other natural sights on foot or take an elephants ride.
4. Katieng Waterfall
Katieng Waterfall is situated 7 km. north - west of Banlung. It is also located in the Koutung Stream, below the Kachang Waterfall, 3 km. The height of it is 10m. and the water flows and falls throughout the year. The visitors can see a beautiful natural landscape and take a break to take pictures of the birds and then continue to the waterfall.
5. Ou'Sean Lair Waterfall
Ou'Sean Lair Waterfall is situated 26 km, South of Banlung. This Waterfall has 4 floors and the height of each floor is 4 m. The water flows throughout the year. Around the Waterfall are beautiful natural landscapes and the visitors can go take a bath if they wish.
6. Ou'Sensranoh Waterfall
Ou'Sensranoh Waterfall is situated 9 km. south of Banlung. The height of it is 18m. and the water flows and falls all the time. The visitors can go there rest and enjoy the fresh air, or to se the forest and listen to the birds ' cries.
7. Cha Ung Waterfall
Cha Ung Waterfall is situated 8 km. west of Banlung and it flows throughout the year. The source of water creating this Waterfall flowed from Eisey Patamak Mountain ( Svay Mountain ) . Below this Waterfall is a big hole, visitors can stand or sit to watch the waterfall from behind, and inhale he cool fresh air stemming from it .
8. Veal Rum Plan (stone field )
Veal rum Plan (stone field ) is situated 14 km. North of Banlung. Stones cover the surface of this place and a dense around it. The visitors can go there and discover its beautiful attraction
9. Virachay National Park
Virachay National Park is situated 45 km. north of Banlung. With a total land area of 332,500 ha. It has varieties of plants and trees in the forest and many different kinds of animals and birds.
10. Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary
Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 37km. south of Banlung. With a total land area of 250,000 ha. there are special kinds of animals and birds like tigers, elephants, red-headed vultures.
11. Ou'Chaloy
Ou'Chaloy is located in the Sre Pok river It is situated 34km. south - west of Banlung. The tourist recreation in Ou'Chaloy is only during the dry season.
12. Norng Kabat Forest
Norng Kabat Forest is situated 23 km. north of Banlung. This place has a pond. the visitors can go there to see the animals and birds which comes to at the pond .Beside this the tourists can go visit the ethnic villages, ethnic culture (tradition belief, festival, dancing, music),
Shopping
A shopping spree starts at the Banlung market. Shopping bargains can be found on intricate stone, wood carvings, gem stones and other varieties of goods, many brought in by tribes like baskets, crossbows, gourds (water containers), bracelets, necklaces, cloth pipe from the outskirts of town make for an interesting and very colorful morning stroll.
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