Champasak Attractions
What to See in Champasak
One of the most visited provinces of Laos; Chamapsak has
a population of around 50,000 and is formed by Pakse, the
Bolaven Plateau, Paksong, Champasak and Si Phan Don (Four
Thousand Islands). Bordering Thailand and Cambodia, Pakse
sits at the confluence of the Mekong and is the province's
capital, as a result of the Lao-Japanese Bridge spanning
the Mekong, the town has quickly grown as an area of trading
importance and is a popular tourist destination.
The Mekong River flows past the ancient Khmer religious
compound at Wat Phu Champsak, before dispersing at Four
Thousand Islands, an area of utter tranquility. The Bolaven
Plateau is renowned for its production of coffee, rattan,
fruit and cardamom, while the vast number of wats (temples)
across the terrain make for interesting viewing.
The Champasak cultural landscape, including the Wat Phu Temple compound, is a well-preserved planned landscape more than 1,000 years old. It was shaped to express the Hindu belief of the relationship between nature and humanity, using an axis from mountain top to river bank to lay out a geometric pattern of temples, shrines and waterworks extending over some 10 km.
Pakse
Founded by the French in 1905, much of the town's colonial
heritage was obliterated during the second Indochinese War.
The capital of the Champasak Province retains the lethargic
atmosphere Laos has become so renowned and popular for.
There are around 20 Wats within the area of which Wat Luang
and Wat Thai Fam are the biggest.
Wat Luang features a monastic school and a thaat containing
the ashes of the former Lao Prime Minister. Wat Thai Fam
is situated by the Champasak Palace Hotel and is set around
spacious grounds, making it a prime site for temple festivals.
The temple also houses a small Buddha imprint. The Champasak
Historical Heritage Museum near the Hotel Residence du Champa,
records the history of the province through artefacts, photography
and written documents.
Bolaven Plateau
Situated on the north east of Champasak province the plateau
covers parts of Salavan, Attapeu and Sekong provinces. One
of the most heavily bombed areas during the Indochina War,
Bolaven Plateau is famous for its fertile plains, tribal
villages, great scenery, unexplored corners and being home
to some of Southeast Asia's most spectacular waterfalls-
Tadfane & Dong Hua Sao.
Slightly off the beaten track, the area is less popular
than say Si Phan Don but is perfect for those who want the
opportunity to rent a bike and really get their teeth into
some untamed travel. You can enjoy scenic rides across forests,
coffee and tea plantations; stop in hill-tribe villages
to buy hand-woven textiles or take an elephant ride. Push
and dirt bikes can be rented from most places in Pakse.
Interested in Bolaven Plateau? Read about a full day excursion at Bolaven Plateau...
Paksong
The capital of coffee production in Laos, has a few places to stay and is usually
visited on an over night trip from Pakse. The main attraction
of the area is the Tat Lo Waterfall which has a large pool
at the bottom suitable for swimming.
Although this is not the most magnificent of Laos waterfalls
it remains popular with visitors due the lethargic atmosphere
that surrounds the area. From Tad Loa, having a bike makes
it easier to reach Tad Suong - the most impressive of the
waterfalls.
Champasak
Home to Wat Phou, this Wat is the most important attraction
of South Laos; although it is not Laotian in origin, it
was in fact built by the Khmer with obvious comparisons
to Siem Reap's Angkor Wat due to their similar architectural
features and surrounding jungle overgrowth, albeit on a
smaller scale. The mystical atmosphere is enhanced by the
fact that the Wat has gone unused for centuries due to it
being built as a Hindu, not a Buddhist temple.
Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, the ruins
are situated at the base of Mount Phu Phasak and are separated
into three main levels. South of Wat Phou are three smaller
archeological sites that are in poorer condition but interestingly
stand by an ancient route that once linked Wat Phu Champak
with Cambodia's Angkor Wat, Siem Reap.
Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Island)
According to some sources the Chinese Haw found this temple
too beautiful to destroy it. Situated next to the Royal
Palace Museum, the gilded facade and relief panels tell
the story of the highest incarnation of the Buddha Vessentara.
A good choice to follow the Royal Palace Museum.
Pakse offers many possibilities when it comes to tours and excursions: From a half-day excursion at Tadfane Waterfall to a full day at the Bolaven Plateau, the choices are numerous...
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