RATANAKIRI PROVINCE OVERVIEW |
| Geography |
Demographics |
Telephone |
Capital: Banlung
Location: Eastern
Area: 10,782 km2
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Population: 94,243
Density: 8.7 /km2
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Calling code |
| Town and Districts |
| Andoung Meas , Ban Lung , Bar Kaev, Koun Mom , Lumphat ,Ou Chum ,Ou Ya Dav , Ta Veaeng , Veun Sai |
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| General Information
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Ratanakiri is a province in Northeastern Cambodia. The word
"Ratanakiri" is a derivative of two Cambodian words, combined to mean
"place of gems and mountains." The word comes from the Sanskrit word Ratna (gem) and giri (mountain). It’s capital, Banlung, is located in the central highlands of the province, approximately 365 miles (586 kilometers) from Phnom Penh. Lomphat, a small town in the southern plains, is the former capital of Ratanakiri. The province is a popular destination for thousands of tourist every year.
The ethnic minorities, elephants, waterfalls and jungle combine to make this one of the most popular provinces in the North east of Cambodia. Many of the inhabitants come from minority groups known as Khmer Loeur (Upper Khmer), including Kreung, Tompuoun and Jarai. These tribes each have their own distinct language and customs, although today they dress as most other poor Cambodians. This may be a blessing in disguise, as it may spare the tourist onslaught seen in northern Thailand. There is also a large Loa population throughout the province and many languages will be heard in the villages such as Voen Sai.
Rubber used to be a large industry up here, but these days it looks to be gem mining and tourism that form the lifeblood of the province. There is good quality zircon mined in several parts of the province nd the prices are low compared to the west. However, in the long run, tourism is the future thanks to the abundant natural attractions the province has been blessed with Boeng Yeak Lom volcanic lake is outstanding, but in time the massive Virachay National Park may prove popular.
Roads in Ratanakiri are not as impressive as the sights - dry season means dust, wet season means mud, take your pick. Boats are a popular means of transport for scenic trips but the province is too isolated to make travel into Stung Treng a realistic option.
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RATANAKIRI PROVINCE PEOPLE |
| There are 8 different hill tribes ethnic groups. 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. |
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GETTING IN - OUT
RATANAKIRI PROVINCE |
* Plane: The only carrier PTM Air has flights to Banlung two or three times per week. Airport departure tax is $6 in Phnom Penh and $4 in Banlung. Motorcycle taxi from the Banlung Airport to your hotel is about 1000 riel for the 5-minute ride.
* Taxi : The share taxi pickup trucks only go from here to Stung Treng Bring food, water, and mosquito repellent because if there is a breakdown on this bumpy backwoods road you may be caught in the jungle for the night. Share taxis usually go in groups in case of a breakdown, but with the other vehicles usually full as well, people do get stranded at times. The five or hour trip stretches to seven hours for share taxis during the rainy season.
* The route Banlung to Stung Treng: The 146 km journey from Banlung to Stung Treng took around 6 hours during the rainy season, so knock at least an hour off that in the dry season. The road is generally lousy, passing through areas of bomb craters that create deep lakes during the rainy season, but you can skirt around the perimeter of most of them. Where you can’t, the road goes zigzagging through the jungle, and is slow and slippery in the wet months. However, there are a few decent stretches, and the last 19 km on Highway 7 are fairly easy ones. It’s certainly not one of the better roads, but it’s not the worst either. There is some nice scenery, but as with other bad highways around Cambodia, you are usually too preoccupied with the road to enjoy it unless you stop.
The same suggestion we made in the share taxi section applies for riders on this road. Bring food, water and mosquito repellent. If you have a breakdown there may not be anyone else coming by, depending on the time of day. It’s always best to get an early start to improve your chances if you do have a problem.
* The route Banlung to Mondulkiri: If you came from Stung Treng and want to try the back trail to Mondulkiri ( Sen Monorom) in rainy season.
In the dry season, it’s a tough trail that will put your riding skills to the test. Make sure you have spare parts for your motorcycle, and bring plenty of food and drinking water. The trip will take a couple of days during the dry season and Kaoh Nhek town (near halfway) is the only place that sells bottled water and some food. Fuel is available there as well. Don’t do it alone. It’s best to have some help if you have a breakdown or a mishap. You are a long way from help in most stretches of this remote trail. It would also be best to bring along a Khmer speaker as the trail sometimes intersects with other trails and you will want to clarify that you took the proper way when you do come across somebody. It’s definitely an adventure, so if you try to tackle it be fully prepared so you have an opportunity to enjoy it. Security these days has not been a problem.
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GETTING AROUND
RATANAKIRI PROVINCE |
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Motorbikes, jeeps and pick-ups are available for hire from most of the guesthouses in town. You could also hire a moto for the day from around the market area and sit back surveying the scenery. There are also pick-ups and jeeps available for charter at the taxi park. |
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RATANAKIRI PROVINCE RESOURCES |
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The two main draws that bring tourists to Ratanakiri are its indigenous people groups and its wildlife. The province is home to five main ethnic minority groups, the Tampuan, Krung, Jarai, Kachok, and Brao/Kavet. Their tribal lifestyle and village culture are a popular attraction to tourists from Europe and the United States.
Yak Loum lake is another popular tourist destination in Ratanakiri. Located approximately 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from the town center, the beautiful lake is the caldera of a large volcanic crater. Due to the lake’s tremendous depth (157 feet/48 meters), its water is exceptionally clean and clear. The lake is almost perfectly round and measures .45 of a mile (.75 kilometer) in diameter. Large trees and rich, lush rainforest, the home of many exotic birds and parrots, surround the lake.
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TRAVEL TIPS |
*Currency Exchange
There are no banks or ATM. No place in town accepts credit cards, though most of the hotels exchange currency and accept traveler's checks. Moneychangers are located on the road in from of Phsar Banlung.
*Communication
There is a post office on the road to Bokheo that offers international connections, but the mobil-phone kiosks around the market area are cheaper. The internet is slow and expensive but it is available and does work well enough for e-mail and limited surfing. There is an Internet shop in the office with Royal Phnom Penh Airways opposite Phsar Banlung, and the Tribal Hotel also offers Internet access
*Travel
There is a small provincial tourist office in the center of town, but visitors may find their guesthouse or hotel to be of more use in the quest for information. There are a limited number of places to stay in Ban Lung, but something to satisfy every budget. The cheapest food in town is to be found in and around Psar Ban Lung (Ban Lung Market) and this is also the area to find tukalok and desserts by night. |
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RATANAKIRI PROVINCE ECONOMY |
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The vast majority of the indigenous peoples of Ratanakiri are subsistence farmers, planting rice, corn, and pumpkins. Some grow an additional cash crop such as peanuts or cashews. There is a number of wealthy Cambodians and Vietnamese own large plantations surrounding the capital of Banlung. Most plant peanuts, coffee, or cashews. Additionally, Ratanakiri boasts hundreds of square miles of rubber plantations. Much rubber is exported to Vietnam.
Gem mines in the South and West of the province are important sources of income, as well as a draw for tourists and miners. Ratanakiri is famous for its blue zircons and its fine amethysts.
In addition, the trade with the neighboring country of Vietnam takes place along the Cambodian National Highway 19, which runs through the center of the capital of Banlung. The tourism, however, is rapidly becoming the premier means of economic growth. Banlung has more than four hotels and countless guesthouses, and many restaurants and shops have been established to cater to the recent influx of large numbers of tourists.
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