Banlung Travel Guide
Banlung is a medium-sized town in northeastern Cambodia, lying pretty close to the Vietnamese and Laotian borders. This fine region of Cambodia is celebrated mainly for its spectacular scenery.
Most people head to Banlung for its lovely surroundings. There is much to see and do here, including walking and rafting in the large volcanic crater lake, swimming in lush waterfalls and losing yourself in dense national parks.
Most of all, Banlung has that frontier feel with its heavily forested landscape of rubber and palm trees. It is also home to a dozen different hill tribes groups that are scattered about. The town itself isn’t much to look at but is well connected to Phnom Penh via the Stung Treng-Kin-hon (Vietnam) highway.
Getting There & Away
Although Banlung has a small airfield, Phnom Penh’s international airport is the only real gateway and taking a bus or taxi from here is your best bet for getting to Banlung. Figure on an all-day journey via bus or minivan, or around 8 to 10 hours by expensive taxi via Stung Treng.
Things to Do
Banlung Attractions
- Yeak Laom Volcanic Lake
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The main sight in banlung is a 700-millennia-old sacred crater lake in nearby yeak laom (yaklom) commune protected area.
- Wat Rahtanharahm
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This temple is just out of town and features a huge reclining buddha and spectacular views.
- Banlung waterfalls
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There are plenty of these, including the 60-foot high cha ong (the most heavily visited) and ka tieng, which has great swimming.
- Virachey National Park
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A fine park 20 miles out of town on the laos/vietnam border with dense jungle and hefty mountains.