The Mekong river is one of my favorite destinations.I have in plan to cruise it in my next trip. I'd like to share with You what I've found about it.
The Mekong River is the twelfth longest river in the world. It born from Tibetan Qinghai and runs for 2,795 miles through China, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam and then lead in the China Sea, where Yuannan Province is known as Lancangjiang or "Turbulent River."
Through each of these interesting countries, the Mekong meets people's lives including scrolls. Called the "Mighty Mekong", it is the main route of transportation and provides irrigation for rice fields, crops of vegetables, lakes for fishing and orchards to continue its journey through the fertile plains of South-East Asia.
The journey undertaken by the Mekong river trip is a fact of history. In the South, the Mekong track a powerful path through the rainforest of Xishuangbanna first to draw the international border between Myanmar and China.
Going forward, the river runs along the dividing line between Laos and Myanmar and then between Thailand and Laos not far from Chiang Mai. From this point Mekong dives in Laos and flows majestically between lush forests, through the beautiful and ancient capital Luang Prabang and the new capital Vientiane and is the only transport for the people and products.
During the rainy season between midMay and early October the Mekong dives into the TonleSap, the largest lake of South-east Asia. The lake will irrigate one of the largest and most fertile plantations of rice in the world. In the middle of the rainy season is not unusual the lake reach a size from 1160 to 2900 square miles and in depth from 7 to 33 feet.
Letting Cambodia behind, the river crosses peacefully in Vietnam. The population calls him Cuu Long or Nine Dragons and that is where the Mekong forms a dozen small rivers that give shape to the Mekong Delta before it meets the tropical waters of South China Sea.
For the millions of people living in its vicinity and for those who depend on it for their survival, the Mekong is more than just a river. For passengers is the perfect, exciting and natural entrance portal from which to discover the diverse culture of the region.
Resources:
Thanks to Tripadventure.org Adventure Travel Non Profit Association for the pictures
More info on the Mekong river from Wikipedia
Official Tourism Board of Cambodia
