Stung Treng covers 11092 square kilometers, It consists of 5 districts, 34 communes and 128 villages.
# Stung Treng District Total Communes: 4 Totals Villages: 17
# Se San District Total Communes: 7 Totals Villages: 22
# Siem Bouk District Total Communes: 7 Totals Villages: 17
# Siem Bank District Total Communes: 5 Totals Villages: 28
# Thala Barivat District Total Communes: 11 Totals Villages: 44
# How to get there! Distance from Phnom Penh: 455 Km
# Using National Road No: 7,13
# Favourite Transportation: Car
Tourism Attractions
Stung Treng is a northern province of Cambodia. It was formerly called Xieng Teng and was once a part of the vast Khmer Empire, then the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang and later the Lao kingdom of Champassack. During the period of French Indochina it was again ceded to Cambodia.
The provincial capital is also named Stung Treng and is an important trade hub with a few hints of Lao influence scattered about, owing to the fact that the Lao border is about 50 km away. It’s a friendly, quiet country town situated on the confluence of the San River and the Mekong River. It actually sits on the banks of the San River, with the mighty Mekong coming into the picture on the northeastern outskirts of the town.
The mountainous province of Stung Treng borders Laos to the north. Stung Treng towns are friendly and quiet, situated near the confluence of the San and Mekong rivers and jsut downstream from the thousand islands. Stung Treng town is a picture-postcard riverside settlement with an economy based on fihsing and silk weaving.
Mekong River Trip to Laos
The Mekong River between Stung Treng and the Laos border is very light on population and heavy on beautiful scenery. Boulder outcroppings, numerous sets of rapids, swirling pothole currents, wide sweeping stretches of river and forested landscape along the banks all await the boat traveler. It makes for a great trip, either for the traveler that wants to continue on to Laos or for those wanting to enjoy a wild stretch of the Mekong in Cambodia.
The trip is difficult to downright impossible to make on this shallow stretch of the Mekong during the dry season, with cont less sunken islands and a virtual forest of trees growing right in the middle of the river. The trip becomes an obstacle course for the boat drivers this time of the year, as they carefully try to choose the best way to guide their craft through the maze that nature has created without losing a propeller to the river. The best time of the year to take this trip is from May to November when sufficient upstream rains have raised the river to a level that allows the boats to pass through carefully.
There is not a whole lot to do once you get to the border area, but travelers can leave their passport with Cambodian immigration (at the small checkpoint on the west bank of the river) and cross to the Laos side to eat at a riverside restaurant and look at the tiny market in the Laos village of Geedahn. Cambodian immigration officers may ask you see them, but it is not a fee set by the central government so you don’t have to pay it.
There is also a guesthouse to stay at near this village (on the Laos side of the river, but a couple of hundred meters south along the riverbank where it is still Cambodia). Which was built here for border traders that lose the day light hours and need a place to spend the night? It’s a nice enough place, but overpriced, with a room that includes two big beds and a fan going for US$ 8 a night. Electricity is running between dusk and midnight.
To take the trip, head down to the riverbank area (near the small bullet boats just east of the pier) in Stung Treng town before 8:30 am and talk to one of the operators of the small freight boats. The fare is 15,000 riel (one way) and the trip to the border area takes about 5 ½ hours, but is cut down to just over three hours on the trip back so0uth as the swift current on this stretch of the Mekong pushes the boats right along. If you want a faster journey, approach one of the small fiberglass boat operators, the ones that have the 40-hp outboard motors-they want US$ 20-$25 (one-way) to make the trip- but if you are looking for a quick trip or fast fun, the trip time going upriver is cut down to only 1 ½ hours. The slow boats are fast enough coming back downstream so you could save money by grabbing one of those on the return trip. For those wanting to cross into Laos using this route you will need a Laos’s visa in your possession and you also need to stop at the main police station in Stung Treng town (see map) to get a letter of permission to cross the border at this point. This is shown to Cambodian immigration will not let you stamp out of the country without this letter.
East River Wats
East River Wats Heading east from the pier and toward the airport is a seventy-year-old temple complex with a recently built wat.
Continuing east on the River Road and just across a small bridge is another temple complex facing the river. The wat is a strange-looking two-story affair with murals on the outside.
Wat Phnom, Stung Treng
Wat Phnom, Stung Treng Borrowing the name of the famous land mark temple in Phnom Penh, this one isn’t high enough for a good view of the area, though you can see the mountains along the Lao border to the north. Anew wat is currently under construction on the site. River Scene, from Here to Laos the San River is fronted in Stung Treng by a nice stretch of paved road. It’s the center of socializing (as in most Cambodian river towns) in the late afternoon and early evening hours as the locals ride up and down the stretch enjoying the view and each other. Drink and dessert stands spring up earlier to serve the daily merrymaking crowd. It’s a nice spot for a walk or jog any time of the day as the river road turns into a pleasant rural road that leads to the airport 4 km north of town.
The river port area just in front of the small city park is fairly busy, handling trade between Cambodia and Laos. The ferry across the San River to where Highway 7 continues north to the Laos border is also at this pier. The fare is 300 riel per head. We went for a ride on this stretch (2,000 riel for taking a big bike on the ferry), but there is not much to see along the way besides jungle and the remnants of a road that was a target of carpet bombing during the Vietnam War years. The road works its way eastward so it does not afford views of the Mekong River as one would hope. The few residents we saw along the way were truly amazed to see the likes of us, would want to be there.
Kantuy Ko
Kantuy Ko How to go: 4 km (15mn) From Provincial Town. Location: Description: Nature Wildlife and Preserves, Location: Samki Village and Commune, Steng Treng District.
Hang Kho Ba Pagoda
Hang Kho Ba Pagoda How to go: Location: Description: Is the cultural and historical site, located at Hang Kho Ba Village, Hang Kho Commune, Steung Treng District in Six-Kilometer distance from the provincial town by the road to the airport, then turning left across the river of Se Kong. The pagoda of Hang Kho Ba is over 300 years. The local people there speak Lao majorly. Steung Treng province has been recognized in two special characteristics: - The province riches in sweet tamarind fruit. - The province riches in Pa Si Y fish - Pava fish.
Koh Ksach Resort
Koh Ksach Resort How to go: Location: Description: Locates along the river of Se Kong in five-Kilometer distance from the provincial town. Koh Ksach is the natural resort which can be called on during the dry season especially during the Khmer New Year. This area has beautiful Sandy riverside having 0.5-Kilometer width and two-Kilometer length.
Ou Pong Moan Resort
Ou Pong Moan Resort How to go: Location: Description: Is the natural and man-made resort which locates at Pong Moan village, Ou Pong Moan Commune, Steung Treng District in nine-Kilomter distance from the provincial town. The resort locates at the turning point to the provinces of Ratanakiri, Kratie and Steugh treng. At Ou Pong Moan resort, tourists are usually interested in: - Ou Pong Moan has water source from the ground. The water source locates at 80-kilometer distance from the recreational site and flows all seasons. The water is suitable for swimming. - At the riverside, there are small Kho Chos for leisure and resting. - 10 Kwh electricity dam which is favorable for tourist development activities.
Phnom Preah Theat
Phnom Preah Theat How to go: 2 km (5mn) From Provincial Town. Location: Description: Nature Wildlife and Preserves, Location: Thmey Village and Commune Stung Treng District.
Preah Ko Temple
Preah Ko Temple How to go: 3.5 km (10mn) From Provincial Town. Location: Description: Historical Sites and Buildings, Location: Intersection of Sékong River and Mékong River, Thla Borivat District.
Pream Buorn Lveng Temple
Pream Buorn Lveng Temple How to go: 6 km (15mn) From Provincial Town. Location: Description: Historical Sites and Buildings, Location: Kang De Sor Village, Thala Bariwatt Commune, Thala Bariwatt District.
Thala Bariwatt Resort
Thala Bariwatt Resort How to go: Location: Description: Located at thala Bariwatt district in four-kilometer distance from the provincial town.
Boeung Yeak Loam Resort
Boeung Yeak Loam Resort How to go: Location: Description: Boeung Yak Loam is a natural, almost square-shaped lake situated in the middle of a mountain in Ban Lung District, 5km from Rattanakiri provincial town. The lake is approximately 800m in diameter with a depth of 48m during the dry season, and was created by volcanic movements centuries ago. Boeung Yak Loam has picturesque mountainous scenery, a charming bird sanctuary and provides the visitor with an opportunity to experience the daily life of local hill-tribe people.
Bou Sra Waterfall
Bou Sra Waterfall How to go: Location: Description: In Pich Chinda District, 43km north of the provincial town, Bou Sra is the most beautiful waterfall in Mondulkiri Province. This fall is a popular spot for picnicking as it provides a cool, relaxed and rejuvenating ambience that awaits its visitors, a picnic at this fall is featured in almost every itinerary. This waterfall drops gracefully onto a multi-tiered level of boulders and rocks forming cascading showers of foaming white sprays of water and well shaded by the leafy green canopy of the surrounding tropical rainforest.
Fresh Water Dolphin
Fresh Water Dolphin How to go: Location: Description: Nowadays the dolphins live mainly in the rivers and waterways of Kratie and Stung Treng provinces. The number of these mammals is estimated to be between 40 and 60 and they are often seen travelling in small groups of 6 to 10 individuals. The females usually give birth to young once every two years most often during the months of June to August. The young dolphins are about 1m in length at birth and suckle milk. By adulthood the dolphins can attain a length of over 2.5m and weigh up to 180kg. Their diet consists mainly of small fish, shellfish and snails. The dolphins can swim at speeds up to 40km per hour and stay submerged for periods between five and ten minutes.
Kampi Resort
Kampi Resort How to go: Location: Description: Kampi resort is a great natural resort, and home to the rare fresh water Mekong dolphins. Travelling along the National Road Nº. 7 to the north about 15km from Kratie provincial town, you will reach a bridge called Prek Kampi. Here one can experience the unique view of the Mekong River consisting of thousands of tiny islands covered with green water plants. From January to May, especially during the Khmer New Year, Kampi resort attracts many local and foreign visitors.
Rum Near Waterwall
Rum Near Waterwall How to go: Location: Description: Located at Rum Near District, 5km from Mondulkiri Province. Along either side of the trail, one can enjoy wonderful views of local plantations that include rubber, coffee and cashew nuts. The local people regularly gather at Sen Monorom Waterfall during public holidays and festivals.
Wildlife
Wildlife How to go: Location: Description: Cambodia is home to some of the most significant populations of mammalian wildlife in Asia. Endangered species such as leopards, tigers, bantams, gaur, barking deer and the near-extinct Kouprey – the Kingdom’s national animal and the world’s rarest large mammal – have been sighted off the beaten path. In addition, wild elephants still roam remote pristine forests and monkeys and snakes abound in mountainous areas. While the international market for endangered species poses a great threat to the preservation of the Kingdom’s wildlife, conservationists strive to research, document and preserve them.