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RATTANAKIRI - THE
LAND OF MINORITIES & EC-OTOURISM
Rattanakiri became a province of Kingdom of
Cambodia in 1960 under King Norodom Sihanouk's
reign. Rattanakiri 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.
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Thus Ratanakiri province offers wonderful
opportunities for Eco-tourism in Cambodia.
Banlung City is the provincial capital of Ratanakiri
Province in Cambodia's mountainous northeastern
corner. Heavily jungled and home to 12 different
'Khmer Loeu' ethnic minority groups, Ratanakiri
province has a real edge-of-the-world feel to it.
Most visitors to Ratanakiri base themselves in
Banlung City from where they make excursions/treks
to Khmer Loeu villages and jungle areas, waterfalls,
gem mines, and Ratanakiri's famous Yeak Laom
volcanic lake. The city of Banlung is fairly small
but offers some interesting shopping and a few
decent hotels.
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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.
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.
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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.
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. |
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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.
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.
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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 .
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
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.
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. |
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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.
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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