PLACE OF INTEREST

Kratie Province, located on the east bank of the Mekong River, attracts a fair share of visitors, many of whom wish to catch a glimpse of the last few Irrawaddy Dolphins left in the world. The recommended place to see them is Kampi Village, about 15 kilometers from town. Irrawaddy Dolphins are an endangered species and are extremely rare; it is estimated there are only about 60 living in this stretch of the river.

The town of Kratie offers an authentic rural ambience, and therefore serves as the perfect place to spend a peaceful night or two. It is a nice relief from some of the country’s more trafficked areas.

There numerous sites to visit in Kratie. Phnom Sombok is a small temple located on a hill north of town. A long flight of steps lead into a pavilion of Phnom Sombok that features detailed photos of afterlife punishments to those who have sinned in the present life. Wat Roka Kandal is a restored pagoda with an ancient Lao style ‘Stupa’ on the riverfront about 2 kilometers from the town center. Nearby lies a more modern pagoda where chanting of the monks can be heard at dawn and in the evenings. About 15 kilometers from town, there is a large Cham community. This is known locally as the ‘basket-weaving’ village; it is the biggest in Kratie with over 4000 villagers living here.

A popular end-of-the-day activity in Kratie is to relax by the riverfront to watch the sun set.

Kampi Dolphin Site

Kampi is the best place in Cambodia to see the rare Mekong River Dolphin. Kampi Dolphin pool is the most inhabited dolpin pool in the Mekong River with about 20 dolphins. Kampi Dolphin Site was established in 1999 to welcome international and local tourists and for scientific researchers to study the Mekong River Dolphin.

Phnom Sambok

Phnom Sambok is a hill is covered by various kinds of trees labeled with scientific names. At the top of the hill, tourists can visit a small temple, and cottages that serve as residencies for Buddhist monks, clergymen, and nuns.

Kampi Picnic

Kampi is a natural attraction in Kratie Province that is situated alongside the Mekong River, approximately 16 km from Kratie City and 1 km north of Kampi Dolphin. A small archipelago, Kampi attracts visitors with beautiful streams where visitors can bathe and swim. Kampi is a seasonal attraction and can be visited only during the dry season from January to May.