Located between Champasak and the Cambodian border, Si Phan Don, or Four Thousand Islands, is an inland archipelago comprising thousands of islands, islets, and sand bars. The entire area covers a distance of some 30 miles (50 km) along the Mekong River from the northern tip of the largest island, Don Khong, to the massive […]

The geographical features of Southern Laos make it a particularly rich area in terms of wildlife. The Bolaven Plateau, with its sparse human habitation and cool climate, sustains a variety of wildlife, while the steep cliffs and caves in the limestone karst formations found throughout Southern Laos attract several kinds of animals. They provide secure […]

The French Colonialists found the temperate climate and rich soil of the Bolaven Plateau  particularly suitable for habi- tation and cultivation. They  planted the area with coffee, cardamom, and vegetables. This region can be explored from the town of Paksong – local coffee can be tasted here – which lies 14 miles (23 km) south […]

Lying on the east bank of the Mekong River, a short distance south of Wat Phu Champasak, the Khmer ruins of Wat Tomo, also known as Ou Muang, date from the 9th century. This wat was built in honor of Rudrani, the wife of Shiva, the God of Destruction. The temple is constructed of laterite, […]

Named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001, Wat Phu, meaning Mountain Temple, is located in the foothills of the Lingaparvata Mountain, now known as Phu Phasak. Sacred to at least three different cultures, the temple is believed to have been revered by the Champa Empire during the 5th–8th centuries. Most of the present […]

An island located in the middle of the Mekong River, across from Champasak, Don Daeng has recently emerged as a popular destination for visitors keen to experience life along the Mekong. The island is ringed by eight separate villages, which are connected by an unpaved track. Sights around the island include the beautiful Wat Ban […]

Although not as magnificent or significant as the Wat Phu complex, the two Khmer sites of Ho Nang Sida and Hong Tha Tao are an interesting side trip to any visit to Wat Phu. Located south of Wat Phu, they are accessed by turning left just before the two main galleries on the first level […]

Housed in a modern building situated close to the entrance of the Wat Phu complex, the Wat Phu Champasak Museum has an excellent collection of exhibits telling the story of this ancient temple as well as those of the other Khmer sites in the area. The museum is well lit and all the exhibits are […]

A small town on the west bank of the Mekong River, Champasak was once the royal capital of the Na Champasak principality, which ruled much of Southern Laos. Popular due to its proximity to the majestic Wat Phu Champasak ruins to the south and as a jumping-off point for Don Daeng, Champasak today is a […]

Located at the confluence of the Don and Mekong rivers, Pakse, capital of Champasak province, was founded by the French in 1905. The Colonial Art Deco-style architecture of Pakse’s downtown area, with several high-rise buildings, makes it more urban than the other towns along the Mekong.  The town has become particularly busy after the completion […]