RATANAKIRI ATTRACTIONS

Ratanakiri (Khmer: រតនគិរី, pronounced [rŏətanakiriː]; lit. “Gem Mountains”) is a province of northeast Cambodia. It borders the provinces of Mondulkiri to the south and Stung Treng to the west and the countries of Laos and Vietnam to the north and east, respectively. The province extends from the mountains of the Annamite Range in the north, across a hilly plateau between the Tonlé San and Tonlé Srepok rivers, to tropical deciduous forests in the south. In recent years, logging and mining have scarred Ratanakiri’s environment, long known for its beauty.

For over a millennium, Ratanakiri has been occupied by the highland Khmer Loeu people, who are a minority elsewhere in Cambodia. During the region’s early history, its Khmer Loeu inhabitants were exploited as slaves by neighboring empires. The slave trade economy ended during the French colonial era, but a harsh Khmerization campaign after Cambodia’s independence again threatened Khmer Loeu ways of life. The Khmer Rouge built its headquarters in the province in the 1960s, and bombing during the Vietnam War devastated the region. Today, rapid development in the province is altering traditional ways of life.

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BENG YEAK LOAM

Yeak Laom Lake (បឹងយក្សឡោម) is a crater lake and a tourist destination in Yeak Laom commune, Ban Lung District ក្រុងបានលុង, Ratanakiri Province ខេត្តរតនគីរី, north-eastern Cambodia. It is pronounced in English as “Yak Lom.” It is about 5 kilometers south of Banlung provincial town, and is located in a protected area. In 2012, Yeak Laom Lake was selected in the list of the 15 most beautiful crater lakes in the world. Around 700,000 years ago, a volcanic eruption resulted in the creation of the lake in Ratanakiri’s mountain region. The shore of Yeak Laom Lake forms an almost perfect circle. It is 800 meters in diameter, and about 48 meters deep. Its shape and depth are due to its volcanic’s origin Banlung’s rainy season occurs from May–October while it has dry periods from December–February. On average, the warmest month is April, and the coolest month is January. July is the wettest month while January is the driest.

BANLUNG MARKET

The main market, Phsar Banlung, is a relatively unextraordinary traditional market offering the usual range of items for local consumption. There is one souvenir shop in front of the market, and food stalls set up in front of the market in the evening. For most travelers’ needs (soft drinks, water, beer, liquor, toiletries, snacks, souvenirs, etc.), the small drink shops next to the monument in the center of town carry most everything. Many Khmer Loeu people come to the Phsar Banlung wearing traditional “back strap” baskets laden with vegetable, fruits and forest products which they sell at the market. It can be an interesting and photogenic scene. Most have packed up and left by 10:00AM.

BAR KIEV OR BOR KEO (GEM STONE DISCORY)

Keo district, Ratanakiri province – about 30 kilometres down the road east of Ratanakiri province’s Banlung town, about 10 gemstone miners from various provinces were digging a hole deep inside a rubber plantation several kilometres from a concrete road in the centre of Bor Keo district. Before reaching the mining site, two gemstone brokers were waiting at the entrance to the site along the concrete road. Their job is to bring any visitors to the site and persuade them to buy their own gemstones. The brokers know clearly where miners are digging for gemstones. The miners often change locations after an area of land has been mined. “If you want to know where the next mining site is, you can contact us because these miners always change to different areas. The location is usually far removed from the road,” said Ms. Sophy, one of the two brokers.

She said there are normally visitors, both Cambodians and foreigners, who visit the mining site and buy raw gemstones from the miners or brokers like her as the price is probably lower compared with those found on the market.

KACHANH WATERFALL

Kachanh Waterfall or it’s often called Kachanh Rapids or Ka Chanh Waterfall is located in Kachanh Village, Kachanh Commune, Banlung, Ratanakiri province and far about ~7km away from Krong Ban Lung Independent Monument.
Kachanh Waterfall is in the category of the Waterfall, Natural tourism site. Things to do, as well as the attractions of Kachanh Waterfall for tourists such as Swimming, Crossing suspension bridge, Seeing mountain view, Food, Having picnic and more. For the trip to the location of Kachanh Waterfall, it is easy because it is not necessary to walk and cross the river or take a boat. For parking, tourists can park directly at the location.
For a relaxing seating area, Kachanh Waterfall has a seating area for tourists, and there is also order food directly from there. Besides Kachanh Waterfall has food ordering or food stations but for the canteen and restaurant are not exist.
For accommodation, Kachanh Waterfall is not available yet such as bungalow, guesthouse, and hotel.

ELEPHANT RIDE AT KACHANH WATERFALL

What is more, the area in which the Kachang Waterfall is situated is complemented by a number of good hotels that facilitate the needs of the travelers. Tourism, which is a thriving industry in Cambodia, is a major source of revenue for the government. The Kachang Waterfall, Ratanakiri is located in the Kontung stream and it flows into the Sre Pok River. The Kachang Waterfall can be well accessed since it is only a distance of about 6 kms from Banlung. The total height of the Kachang Ratanakiri is 1.2 kms. The water of the Kachang Waterfall, Ratanakiri flows perennially and makes for an exciting sight to view. Travellers are assured of commanding a good looking or magnificent landscape. The Kachang Waterfall is surrounded by huge clouds of fresh mist that form in the landscape. Visitors to the Kachang Waterfall, Ratanakiri can take a bath at the foot of the falls and sit to look at it as well as other natural and scenic beauty and charm. Another alternative at the Kachang is for the visitors to go around viewing other natural sights on foot, or undertaking an elephant ride.