A fairly minimalist border town in north-east Cambodia, Stung Treng is the gateway to southern Laos and a popular through travel destination for backpackers and adventure tourists. A relatively small provincial town, there’s little to do in the city but a relatively large amount of natural activities and places to visit in the nearby area.

Stung Treng isn’t a major tourist draw in its own right, however it’s a popular stopping point for tourists traveling by land to Laos. Just 80km from the border crossing, Stung Treng offers a wide range of dirt cheap accommodation, internet facilities, and visa processing facilities designed to make your transfer into Laos more simple. There’s also a large bus station for transporting people to Laos, Phnom Penh and Cambodia’s other cities.

While there used to be aquatic options for visiting Stung Treng, today the cities position on the Mekong river doesn’t offer any water transport. Despite this, the river is very much a part of daily life here, with relaxing by the river proving itself to be one of the most popular and enjoyable local activities.

What to see:

There’s not much to see in Stung Treng. While the town itself is important from a transportation perspective, it’s not the cultural center than Phnom Penh is or the historical wonderland of Siem Reap. The vast majority of visitors to Stung Treng come through on their way to or from Laos, leaving the town with a slight ‘in transit’ feel. There are travel agencies on the main drag, with guesthouses and cafes catering to tourists along the riverside area.

If you’re in Stung Treng for longer than a day it’s highly likely that you’re looking to book onward travel into Laos. The border crossing at Dong Crorlor is accessible using one of the many tourist buses in town, and independent motorcycle taxis will be able to take you for around $20 if you explain your situation to them. However, before venturing off into Laos you will need to organize two things:

1. A tourist visa. The Laos border outpost doesn’t issue visas on arrival, so you’ll need to have one processed while in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. There are visa services available in Stung Treng, but they’re much more expensive than in Cambodia’s other cities due to the geographic isolation.

2. Transportation from the Laos side of the border. Your motorcycle taxi driver won’t be able to follow you into Laos, so it’s necessary to organize transportation from the border to the nearest Lao town. Most guesthouses and travel agencies in Stung Treng will be able to arrange transportation for you, with a total cost of between $20-25 for the Stung Treng – Laos leg of the trip.

If you find yourself with spare time in Stung Treng, make sure to lounge around by the Mekong river and enjoy the remarkable view over the newly built bridge. Angkor beer is widely available, and the massive amount of riverside restaurants will keep you comfortable well into the evening.

Where to stay:

Accommodation in Stung Treng is cheap, even by Cambodian standards. A very comfortable room can be found for around $5, complete with double bed, hot water bathroom and a ceiling fan. While many restaurants will offer rooms for as little as $2, they’re generally low in quality and not worth it next to the many other accommodation options.

Since Stung Treng is primarily a transit town, you’ll find that most of the accommodation options are very close together. Ask to be dropped off on the waterfront area and you’ll have a wide range of accommodation within walking distance, all offering similar rooms and prices. Sekong Restaurant and Guest House is highly recommended, being just a short walk from the river, and Stung Treng Hotel has rooms available from as little as $5.

How to get around:

Stung Treng is relatively small, and the areas that will interest visitors are unlikely to extend beyond the main commercial drag and the riverfront area. The vast majority of your time will be spent around the Mekong river, with the major guesthouses, restaurants and services all located in this area. Banks and ATMs are available, however for major withdrawals you will need to visit bank branches. Ask around for a motorcycle driver who will be able to take you to one.

Motorcycle taxis are common, and independent motorcycle trips are available into Laos from as little as $20. Make sure that your guesthouse or travel agency provides accommodation on the Laos side of the border, as the next closest town is over 4km away. Also, there is no visa on arrival on the Laos side, so ensure that you have a valid Laos visa prepared before departing.

For cheap onward transportation to Laos, visit one of the many local travel agencies. While independent motorcycle taxis will cost around $20, tour buses are just $5-10 for the trip to Laos, and often include onward transport on the other side of the border.

Costs, Customs and Extras:

Remember that Stung Treng isn’t a major economic center like Phnom Penh or a major tourism destination like Siem Reap. Lost of products won’t be available, however most western products are available at slightly higher prices. This shouldn’t be a major deal, as it’s unlikely that you’ll be in Stung Treng for more than one or two days. Enjoy your time sitting by the Mekong and enjoying the local food and drink.