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.
