In the dry season, larger islands are used for agriculture, harvesting of natural resource and hunting.
History
It was first a part of the Khmer Empire, then the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang and later the Lao kingdom of Champassack. The province
was ceded back to Cambodia during the period of French Indochina, in 1904. Its name in Laotian is Xieng Teng.
Owing to its border location and forested mountain areas in the northeast of the province, there was much communist guerrilla activity in
Stung Treng during Cambodia's recent past. The insurgency lasted from the Vietnamese infiltration in the 1950s until the late Khmer Rouge years.
Site description
Stung Treng is located in the upper Cambodian reaches of the Lower Mekong River. Declared as a Ramsar site in 1999, the site extends 37 km along the Mekong River from 6 km north of Stung Treng town to 3 km south of the Lao boarder. The site encompasses the entire Mekong River, its islands and channels, to the terrestrial boundary 150 metres to the landward side of the riverbanks. In some areas the river is very broad with numerous channels between rocky and sandy islands. In others, the river forms a single channel with fast flowing current. Seasonal variation in water height is up to 10 metres. In the dry season rapids can be seen where bedrock is close to the surface.
There are 10,000 people living within, or close to the site boundaries. This number is expected to increase with the improved security situation in this remote part of Cambodia. Three of the islands within the Ramsar site are permanently populated with established villages.
A unique seasonally inundated riverine forest habitat, which has yet to be described, is a globally significant feature of this site. This forest is found in the flowing water on the edges of islands and rivers and on rocky outcrops and is described in more detail below. This stretch of the Mekong is important for the migration of over 100 species of fish between Lake Tonle Sap and the upper reaches of the Mekong above Khone Falls. The site and its immediate tributaries is also an important breeding site for fish species that can not migrate beyond the Khone Falls and may be an important habitat for fish breeding and offer shelter for fish during period of peak flow. By law, commercial fishing lots are not allowed to operate in Stung Treng Province.
The main habitats within the Stung Treng Ramsar site include:• Riverine inundated forest growing on the sandy and rocky islands comprising tree species identified tentatively as Barringtonia sp., Eugenia sp., and Arcacia sp.. Visually strange, the trunks of these trees are mostly bent almost horizontal in the direction of the river flow with branches and leaves swept in the same direction (giving the appearance of being swept away). In some cases trees are supported by large buttress roots (1-2m. high) protruding downstream to support the trunks against the current. Many of the trees have reduced, narrow leaves reminiscent of rheophyllic trees and there are many epiphytes or parasites particularly of the fig Ficus sp..
• River channels run the length of the site. The bottom substrates include alluvial deposits, varying from fine mud to larger pebbles and stones. Bedrock occurs in some areas of swiftly flowing current. The depth of the river varies from very shallow to over 18 metres during the wet season. These channels are important for the migration of over 100 species of fish.
• Deep pools have been scoured by the swift currents in this section of the Mekong River. In the dry season these areas provide refuge for seasonally quiescent fish species and Irrawaddy dolphins. The invertebrate fauna of the walls of these pools is not known.
• Sandbars are common on stretches of the Mekong in Stung Treng. Submerged in the wet season, these areas provide dry season roosting and breeding habitats for sandbar nesting waterbirds.
Attraction sites in Stung Treng
Stung Treng is the capital of the province of the same name. The town lies 485 km north of Phnom Penh and 210 km south of Pakse in Laos, it’s only 40 km from the Lao border. The town is perched on the banks of the Sekong river, not far from Mekong river. Sights around the town are few – a couple of rapids and waterfalls.
You can rent a boat for trips along the Mekong. Stung Treng’s market is brimming with goods that come in by road, river, or plane, down from Laos, across from Vietnam, or up from Phnom Penh. Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese goods all find their way here.
You can reach Stung Treng by boat from Phnom Penh from September to January. To save time, take a fast boat to Kratie and change to a slow boat from Kratie to Stung Treng, or simply fly from Phompenh.
Attraction sites:
• OU PONG MOAN RESORT
• THALA BARIWATT RESORT
• KOH KSACH RESORT
• HANG KHO BA PAGODA
• OTHER INTERESTING PLACES
OU PONG MOAN RESORTIs 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 provineral town. The resort locates at the turning point to the provinces of Ratanakiri, Kratie and Steugh treng. At Ou Pong Moan resort, tourists 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 flowes all seasons. The water suitable for swimming.
• At the riverside, there are small Kho Chos for leisure and and resting.
• Is the eletricity dam which can provide 10KWH. This enablel the development of tourist activities at the area.
THALA BARIWATT RESORT
Located at thala Bariwatt district in four-kilometer distance from the provincial town. This area can be accessable by going across SeKong river and Mekong river to the provincial road of Preah vihear.Thala Bariwatt is the historical resort which hal the Preah Ko temple built in 7-8 century, made of red bredkduring the feign og the king, Javvarman I.
In front of the temple, there is a statue of Preah Ko ( sacred cow) available in Cambodia Newt to the Preah Ko statue, there is a space having 10-squar meter area for playing the gpme of Viey khil annually, before the Khmer New Year. The game played during four days and three nights. It starts in the aftermoon at 2 O’clock and lasts for two hours.
The game played during the destival of the ethnic minority of Kouy. Near the Thalaa Bariwatt, ther are many other ruined timples like Prasat Pram Buon Lveng, Prasat Srey as well.
KOH KSACH RESORT
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.
HANG KHO BA PAGODAIs 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 has over 300 years of age. The local people there speak Lao majorly. Steung Treng province has been recognized in two special characteristics:
• The province rich in sweet tamarind fruit.
• The province rich in Pa Si Y fish - Pava fish