Ratanakiri, officially Ratanak Kiri (Khmer: រតនគិរី[3] IPA: [ˌreə̯̆ʔ taʔ ˈnaʔ ki ˈriː]), 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 Tonle San and Tonle 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.
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.
Ethnic Minority Museum
Near the shore of the Yeak Laom lake there is a traditional wooden house built to preserve and display many kinds of traditional hill tribe textiles and tools such as musical instruments, farming tools, fishing gear and clothes.
Cha Ung Waterfall
The waters of the Cha Ung waterfall rise in the Phnom Svay Mountain close to Ban Lung town. The waterfall is 25m high and surrounded by various creepers and by climbing plants. The scene is very picturesque- the water spray generated by the water cascading off the vegetation creates its own rainbows in the sunlight.
Today there are new concrete stairs in place to ensure that visitors can easily access the bottom of the waterfall from the top of the hill. The waterfall has vendors selling foods, soft drinks, snacks and some local souvenirs.
Behind the waterfall is a large rocky cave from which visitors can gain a different perspective of the scenery through the water. At the base of the falls are natural scattered large boulders where trekkers can relax and take in the incredible views.
The waterfall is located in the Kreung hill tribe village of Cha Ung, Ou Chum district. To get there, travel two kilometers beyond Ban Lung town on the National Road No.78, then turn right and follow the trail for six kilometers.
Eisey Patamak Mountain
Visit the Eisey Patamak Pagoda on Phnom Svay, situated 2.5 kilometers from the town center of Banlung. A five meter long reclining Buddha rests peacefully in a hut adorned with paintings depicting the teachings of the Buddha. Be captivated by the spellbinding serenity of the surrounding countryside; enjoy some of the most gorgeous views across the green and verdant hills of Ratanakiri from here. The ambience here is one of peace and calm.
Kachanh Waterfall
Located in Kachanh Commune, Banlung District, the Kachanh Waterfall is 6 km from Banlung town. The waterfall is 12 meters in length, which flows endlessly along the Kantoeng Stream to the Sre Pork River in Lomphat District.
Among the stream and rubber plantation, the Kachanh Waterfall provides great scenery for tourists. The stream’s bottom can be accessed by a wooden stair having approximately 72 steps. On the side of the top of the waterfall, big trees branching out cast cool shadows over tourists for picnicking there.
Katieng Waterfall
Three kilometers from Ka Chanh waterfall is the 10 m high Katieng waterfall. The cascading falls are surrounding by trees that provides welcome shade to the visitors.
The falls are best viewed from below. At the base of the falls are naturally scattered large boulders that visitors can climb. Also available are elephants for scenic tours of the surrounding forest.
Unique Kreung handicrafts, souvenirs and other products are to be found here. These include the ‘back-strapped baskets’, natural fabrics, gourd vessels and gongs.
The waterfall is to be found in Katieng village, in Lbang I commune of Lum Phat district. Distance from Ban Lung town is around seven-kilometers.
Lumphat’s Wildlife Harmony
Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary is the part of Ratanak Kiri wildlife sanctuary. It has an area of 2,225 square kilometers, and charms tourists with its picturesque forests and tranquil surroundings. It’s also a haven for a wide range of wildlife, including some endangered species.
Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary contains mountains, forests, and lowlands. It provides ideal shelter for large mammals such as elephants, bantengs, gaurs, tigers, and wild buffalos, as well as bears and smaller carnivores and primates.
The Forest has roughly a dozen large wild animal species. There are around a hundred bird species here, including waterfowl.
Besides providing shelter to a diverse range of wildlife, the Sanctuary is also home to more than 100 indigenous families, mostly from the Phnong minority. They make their living entirely from the park’s natural resource, utilizing natural resins, vines, rattans, herbal trees, and forest products.
Tourists wishing to visit Lumphat should contact the park rangers of Phnom Prik national park. They will guide them around the site. If visitors want to see more, they can camp here for up to one week.
Ou’Sinlair Waterfall or 7-level waterfall
Ou’Sinlair waterfall, located in Ratanak Kiri province, is an idyllic destination offering wonderful opportunities for eco-tourism. The area is covered by the emerald forest and surrounding mountains.
This waterfall has kept is secrets well hidden in the jungle until only recently; the road conditions have improved sufficiently to enable the adventurous to experience this wonder natural waterfall during the dry season.
O’Sean-lair waterfall is found in Lum Phat district, just 30km south-west of Banlung. There is no good road to the falls, and this prevents mainstream tourism. Visitors get there by truck or four wheels drive vehicles with an experienced driver at the helm. Driving speeds are slow along the small trail which snakes through the jungle and traverses several small rivers. The journey requires a full day and travelers must prepare pre-packaged meals and drinks, none are available on the trail or at the falls.
The cascade itself is a 7-level waterfall, picturesquely located in the middle of the preserved tropical jungle; sunlight barely penetrates some parts of the area.
There are 4 waterfalls in total on this watercourse. The Ou’Sinlair Falls are in the central part of the stream, with one cascade downstream and 2 more located about 3 hour walk upstream. At the central part of the cascade, the water falls 4 meter over a 30 meter span. This level is the most convenient place for trekkers to bath and take a swing in the clear nature waterfall which keeps temperatures cool.
The water flow during the dry season is moderate, making it suitable for swimming. During the monsoon season, the fast current, eddies and undertow make bathing hazardous.
Ou’Sinlair Waterfall is off the beaten track and a rewarding retreat in the jungle. One can only speculate how many more beautiful waterfalls lie hidden it the jungle awaiting discovery.
Se San River
The Se San River is one of the most important ecology systems amid the green forestry in the northeast region of Stung Treng and Ratanak Kiri provinces. The river is like shining diamonds and emeralds with white sand beaches while the clear water along the river reflect the mountains and jungle even during the dry season.
Forty km. away from northern part of Banlung, the capital of Ratanak Kiri, the Se San river is an all season river flowing east to west with long, white sand beaches. Along the river, these numerous beaches have many spots for bathing, swimming and fishing where both local and international tourists can relax.
Cross over the Se San River by boat and you see the Veon Sai commune. That is the territory of several ethnic groups such as Khmer, Chinese, Kroeng, and Laotian, all living there for many generations. The Chinese follow their own Chinese traditional culture while the other ethic groups follow their own ancestral identities. All communicate in Chinese, Hill Tribe, and Laotian as well as well as the national language of Cambodia, Khmer. Most of them are farmers, fishermen and local traders.
