Places to Visit Details
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Ratanakiri
Rattanakiri has long been occupied by many separate highland Khmer Loeu hill tribes; some of which has little contact with the rest of the world and still maintaining much of their own traditions. Overall, this frontier province is renowned for her unique natural beauty and wealth of natural resources. The physical and environmental characteristics form an impressive range of intriguing destinations for eco-tourism; they include undulating hills and mountains, a level plateau, watershed lowlands, clear crater lakes, rivers and beautiful waterfalls.
Today, although rapid development in the province has altered some traditional ways of life, this remains a very interesting destination for the adventurous and eco-tourism traveller. There are numerous waterfalls in this remote region; a few of which are popular picnic locations that attract visitors even during the dry season.
RATANAKIRI MOST ATTRACTIONS
Virachey National Park
Today, although rapid development in the province has altered some traditional ways of life, this remains a very interesting destination for the adventurous and eco-tourism traveller. There are numerous waterfalls in this remote region; a few of which are popular picnic locations that attract visitors even during the dry season.
RATANAKIRI MOST ATTRACTIONS
Virachey National Park
Picturesque natural forest, stunning mountains, plateaus, valleys, local ethnic communities and a diverse wildlife all await visitors at Virachey National Park.
Virachey National Park covers an area of 3,325 square kilometers overlapping the districts of Veun Sai and Taveng about 60 km north of Banlung town. The Virachey Park serves as the largest national park in Cambodia. Many of the trees here are about a thousand years or older; more than a hundred bird species including the Great Hornbill and Red-collared Woodpecker share the park with a diversity of other wildlife species.
The vast forests, grasslands, mountains and valleys remain largely unexplored and undisturbed by human settlement and may still harbor new and undiscovered wildlife species.
Tigers, elephants, wild cattle and a number of spectacular, globally threatened primate and bird species have been spotted here. The northeast of Cambodia has been the home to many indigenous hill tribe people for centuries and remains a center for cultural diversity in the region.
Indigenous Brau and Kavet people depend on the natural resources of Virachey for their survival and several communities are now participating in the park’s ecotourism program. Virachey has a rich, albeit tragic, historical heritage through its association with the American Vietnam war, the legacy of which can still be readily observed along the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail that traverse the park.
Virachey National Park was designated ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003 in recognition of its outstanding contribution to regional and international biodiversity conservation. This is one of two ASEAN Heritage Parks in Cambodia; the other being the Preah Monivong (Bokor) National Park in the province of Kampot.
Virachey National Park covers an area of 3,325 square kilometers overlapping the districts of Veun Sai and Taveng about 60 km north of Banlung town. The Virachey Park serves as the largest national park in Cambodia. Many of the trees here are about a thousand years or older; more than a hundred bird species including the Great Hornbill and Red-collared Woodpecker share the park with a diversity of other wildlife species.
The vast forests, grasslands, mountains and valleys remain largely unexplored and undisturbed by human settlement and may still harbor new and undiscovered wildlife species.
Tigers, elephants, wild cattle and a number of spectacular, globally threatened primate and bird species have been spotted here. The northeast of Cambodia has been the home to many indigenous hill tribe people for centuries and remains a center for cultural diversity in the region.
Indigenous Brau and Kavet people depend on the natural resources of Virachey for their survival and several communities are now participating in the park’s ecotourism program. Virachey has a rich, albeit tragic, historical heritage through its association with the American Vietnam war, the legacy of which can still be readily observed along the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail that traverse the park.
Virachey National Park was designated ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003 in recognition of its outstanding contribution to regional and international biodiversity conservation. This is one of two ASEAN Heritage Parks in Cambodia; the other being the Preah Monivong (Bokor) National Park in the province of Kampot.
Lumphat's Wildlife Harmony
Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 2,225 sq. km and charms visitors with its picturesque forests and tranquil surroundings. It is a haven for a diversity of wildlife, including some extremely endangered species.
The Sanctuary with its mountains, forests, and lowland, makes an ideal shelter for large mammals such as elephants, bantengs, gaurs, tigers, and wild buffalos, as well as bears and other smaller carnivores and primates; not forgetting more than a hundred bird species including waterfowls.
Besides providing shelter for wildlife, the Sanctuary is also home to more than 100 indigenous families, mostly from the Phnong minority who survive entirely on the park’s natural resources. They rely on natural resins, vines, rattans, herbal plants, and a variety of forest products.
Tourists wishing to visit the Lumphat Sanctuary should contact the park rangers of Phnom Prik National Park. They will provide guide tour around interesting sites and if visitors would like to see more, they can arrange to camp here for up to a week to take them all in.
The Sanctuary with its mountains, forests, and lowland, makes an ideal shelter for large mammals such as elephants, bantengs, gaurs, tigers, and wild buffalos, as well as bears and other smaller carnivores and primates; not forgetting more than a hundred bird species including waterfowls.
Besides providing shelter for wildlife, the Sanctuary is also home to more than 100 indigenous families, mostly from the Phnong minority who survive entirely on the park’s natural resources. They rely on natural resins, vines, rattans, herbal plants, and a variety of forest products.
Tourists wishing to visit the Lumphat Sanctuary should contact the park rangers of Phnom Prik National Park. They will provide guide tour around interesting sites and if visitors would like to see more, they can arrange to camp here for up to a week to take them all in.
Yeak Laom Lake
Yeak Laom Lake is located about 5 kilometers southeast of central Banlung. This beautiful lake is a crater formed after a volcanic eruption over 4000 years ago; the diameter of this lake is about 800 meters and it bears about 50 meters of clear water.
At one end, there are two wooden platforms for tourists to view the lake up close, but some people cannot resist a dip to feel the warmth of the water for themselves.
A path surrounds the lake, providing a leisurely track for trekking. A walk around the lake takes around forty minutes. Midway along the track, at the western end of the lake, there is a small visitor center which exhibits and sells local handicrafts such as musical instruments, crossbows, baskets, scarves and handbags made from hand-woven cloth.
Wild pigs and rare birds including eagles can be seen around the lake and tourists may also spot rarely seen large brightly colored butterflies; some with wing spans of up to 20 centimeters.
At one end, there are two wooden platforms for tourists to view the lake up close, but some people cannot resist a dip to feel the warmth of the water for themselves.
A path surrounds the lake, providing a leisurely track for trekking. A walk around the lake takes around forty minutes. Midway along the track, at the western end of the lake, there is a small visitor center which exhibits and sells local handicrafts such as musical instruments, crossbows, baskets, scarves and handbags made from hand-woven cloth.
Wild pigs and rare birds including eagles can be seen around the lake and tourists may also spot rarely seen large brightly colored butterflies; some with wing spans of up to 20 centimeters.
Cha Ung Waterfall
The Cha Ung Waterfall is located in the Kreung hill tribe village of Cha Ung, in the district of Ou Chum.
The waterfall is 25m high and surrounded by lush plants and various creepers. The scene is very picturesque. The mists generated by the water cascading off the vegetation create their own rainbows under the bright rays of the sun.
Today there are concrete steps in place to ensure that visitors can easily access the bottom of the waterfall from the top of the hill. Vendors selling foods, drinks, snacks and local souvenirs keep the place buzzing, much to the delight of the visitors. Behind the waterfall, a large rocky cave offers visitors a different perspective of the scenery through the cascading water. At the base of the falls are large boulders where visitors can relax on and take in the incredible views.
The waterfall is 25m high and surrounded by lush plants and various creepers. The scene is very picturesque. The mists generated by the water cascading off the vegetation create their own rainbows under the bright rays of the sun.
Today there are concrete steps in place to ensure that visitors can easily access the bottom of the waterfall from the top of the hill. Vendors selling foods, drinks, snacks and local souvenirs keep the place buzzing, much to the delight of the visitors. Behind the waterfall, a large rocky cave offers visitors a different perspective of the scenery through the cascading water. At the base of the falls are large boulders where visitors can relax on and take in the incredible views.
Ethnic Minority Museum
Near the shore of the Yeak Laom lake, is a museum built in traditional wooden style, to preserve and display all kinds of traditional hill tribe textiles, musical instruments, farming tools, fishing gear and clothes.
Visitors may purchase the items for souvenir to take home.
Visitors may purchase the items for souvenir to take home.
Se San River
Located about 40km from northern part of the capital town of Banlung, the Se San is an all seasons river and one of the most important ecology systems that overlaps the provinces of Stung Treng and Ratanakiri. On the surface, some stretches of water glitter like diamonds and emeralds with white sandy beaches running alongside attracting scores of tourists to sunbath and make merry. The clear water along the river reflects the colourful sky-backed mountains and jungle and even during the dry season, the ambience can be charming. The numerous stretches of beach boast many spots for swimming and fishing; such recreational activities attract both local and international tourists all year round.
On one side of the Se San River the Veon Sai commune is a harmonious territory occupied by several ethnic groups; Khmer, Chinese, Kroeng, and Laotian people have been living there for generations. While the Chinese observe their own Chinese culture and traditional practices, the other groups also have their own ancestral practices to keep their identities. Here, they all communicate commonly in Chinese although all of them do speak Khmer and understood the Cambodian language well. The Hill Tribe, and people of Laotian ethnicity speak in their mother tongue among their own kind.
Most of the people here are farmers, fishermen and local traders.
On one side of the Se San River the Veon Sai commune is a harmonious territory occupied by several ethnic groups; Khmer, Chinese, Kroeng, and Laotian people have been living there for generations. While the Chinese observe their own Chinese culture and traditional practices, the other groups also have their own ancestral practices to keep their identities. Here, they all communicate commonly in Chinese although all of them do speak Khmer and understood the Cambodian language well. The Hill Tribe, and people of Laotian ethnicity speak in their mother tongue among their own kind.
Most of the people here are farmers, fishermen and local traders.
Ratranakiri
Se San River
Ethnic group
Ban Lung Town at night
Yeak Lom Lake
Kachanh Waterfall
