International tourists come to Cambodia normally to visit Angkor Wat and others old temples. They also long for beaches in the Cambodia’s southwest provinces. This is just enough for them go get to know a brief Cambodian geographical landscape and history.
However, their two-week stays (most of them) may force them to leave Cambodia without visiting some other natural attractive places and Eco-tourism sites. Here, we would like to introduce you to a special Eco-tourism site in Mondulkiri province in the east of Cambodia.
Mondulkiri means a range (or a center) of mountains. It borders to Ratanakiri and Steung Treng provinces at the north, Kratie province at the west, and Vietnam at the southeast. The city of Mondulkiri is Sen Monorom , which means ‘Very Delightful’. It bases on the peak of a hill. The main tourism sites here are: cultural shrine resorts, waterfalls, protected forest, wildlife sanctuaries, and tribal ethnic minority.
The cultural shrine resorts or Phnom Dos Kramom resort
Beside the long view from the peak of the mountain, Phnom Dos Kramom attracts the local tourists with its name. Its name means “the mountain of virgin girl’s breasts”. There are two shrines on the both peaks of this breast-like hill. We can get to one of the shrines by driving directly to the peak of the hill. But the other one on the opposite side it can only reached on foot.
Around the shrine yard, we should take a break in the shade of trees and look at the lush plants slope and spectacular green view. The fresh cool air blows slightly passing the trees and get to your body. On the sky, you will see cotton wool-like cloud flying just above your height.
Phnom Kraol Cultural Resort
Phnom Kroal means “Mountain of Animals Stable”. Nowadays, it is the main tourist attraction all sorts of tourists. It is located 111 kilometers from Sen Morom town.
It is surrounded by forest. It provides plenty of opportunities for picnicking and hiking. The main point of interest here is perhaps is the place for worship on the mountaintop where residents and tourists always visit and pray for happiness and prosperity.
Every waterfall is uniquely attractive. In Mondulkiri there are plenty of waterfalls such as Bousra waterfall, Monorom, Romanea, Leng Khin, Or Chhveng, Chrey Thom, Chrey Yos, Leng Tao, and Or Teung Leung waterfall. The popular to most tourists are Buosra waterfall, Monorom, and Romnea waterfalls. They are popular for its natural freshness. The drops of waterfall are shiny clear like crystal flowing down the cliff. At sunshine you will see rainbow formed by flying drops of water.
Protected forest (Sea forest)
Beside the lush plants that cover almost everywhere on the undulated hills, there is another protected forest called Mondulkiri Protected Forest (MPF). MPF contains a large amount of undisturbed habitat, an aesthetically attractive river, remote and unique landscapes, forests, and wildlife.
Mondulkiri has also a pine plantation farm that is managed by the Cambodian government. The main points of interest here are extensive ranges of pine trees, dramatic mountainous forest, and fresh air. One should experience life in the forest.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
There are three wildlife sanctuaries in Mondulkiri: Lum Phat, Phnom Prich, and Phnom Nam Lear. In these wildlife sanctuaries there are diverse species of animals such as elephants, bantengs, gaurs, tigers, and wildlife buffaloes, as well as bears, bovids and other smaller carnivores and primates. There are around a hundred species here, including waterfowl. However, some of them are rarely seen. The areas, wildlife and species will be in great danger if poaching is continuing and the government does not take these problems in to account. The government should also review land concession in these areas if they want to conserve the reputation of this animal rich province. The sanctuaries should be the sanctuaries.
Tribal ethnic minority
According to eco-tourism center in Mondulkiri, the population of Mondulkiri is 60,811 which include 14 ethnicities: Khmer 20% and ethnic minorities 80%. These ethnic groups are composed of Phnorng, Stieng, Kuoy, Tompuon, Charay, Kraol, Kroeng, Ra Ong, Thmon, Cham, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Lao. Khmer (Cambodian), Chinese, Vietnamese, Cham, and Lao live in or around the city. For ethnic minorities like Phnorng, Stieng, Kuoy, Tompuon, Charay, Kraol, Kroeng, Ra Ong, Thmon live a bit far from the city. They love living with nature in the forest. They have different life styles according to their subcultures. Although their traditional clothing has adapted to the normal way of most Cambodian, there is still some features that differ them from normal Cambodians lifestyle. Now they wear a distinctive outfit only for special occasions (wedding, religious celebration etc.).
It is recommended to go beyond the real lifestyles by experiencing the community home stay, to visit to traditional houses, wineries and to view tribal art and folk dance of those ethnicities. The stay in community home will give you a unique experience in the largest part of dry forest in South- East Asia. Elephant trekking is also really commended.
