Bordered by Cambodia and Thailand, the southern Laos province of Champasak is well-known for its spectacular collection of Khmer ruins including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wat Phou, the amazing Four Thousand Islands with fresh water dolphins and the largest waterfalls in SE Asia, as well as growing some of the best coffee in the world. But there is much much more to discover. Throughout the province locals still live in rustic thatched huts and the old agricultural practices and the traditional way of life still exist. For visitors to experience this culturally rich region of Laos there are numerous Champasak hotels, lodges and guesthouses.
The charming atmosphere and traditional Laos hospitality of Champasak province leads many travellers to linger longer than planned!
The Mekong River running through Laos acts as one of its avenues for transportation and also nurtures the vast rice fields. Champasak is the largest rice basket of this ancient country. Near Champasak you will come across several Mon-Khmer ethnic groups such as the Laven who still live in traditional ways. Observing how the locals live is one of the highlights of a trip to Champasak.
Pakse, the capital of Champasak Province is the biggest city in South Laos. It is situated at the meeting point of the Se Don and Mekong rivers and is famous for its hand-woven cottons and silks. The capital is a convenient take-off point for the nearby tourist sites in Champasak and is well known as a market town. At the markets you'll find colourful hill-tribe textiles and clothes, as well as jewellery and local specialties like coffee, tea, vegetables and fruits. There are also a range of Champasak hotels, lodges and guesthouses in Pakse which offer great value and a convenient base for exploring the region.
You could comfortably tour Pakse within a day. Some of the sights to take in and places to visit are the Wat Phat Baht, the Champasak Provincial Museum with its displays of hill-tribe ornaments and costumes; the Champasak Palace Hotel, built by Prince Boun Oum na Champasak of the Champasak Kingdom; and the Chinese Society House built in the colonial style. Motorised tricycles (tuk-tuks) are the best way to get around town.
The town of Champasak, 46km South of Pakse provides a relaxed and slower pace of life. It is less crowded and lacks the hustle and bustle of Pakse and offers a range of budget guesthouses and Champasak hotels. It is popular with backpackers and those wishing to explore the small but highly atmospheric ruins of Wat Phou.
A highlight of visiting Champasak province is taking a Champasak tour to explore Wat Phou, which is approximately 46 km south of Pakse. It is said to have been built in homage to the Hindu god, Shiva, in the 6th century and is believed to be the blueprint for temples like Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It was recently ranked by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The temple complex consists of three sandstone buildings - one on the hilltop and the others at the foothills. In the main sanctuary on the upper level, there is a lingam (an idol symbolising Shiva) immersed in the water from the spring that runs at the rear of the complex. For a great view of the Mekong plain, climb up to the upper platform.
Near Wat Phu across the Mekong River lies Wat Oum Muong, another Khmer religious monument. The grounds of this temple on Tomo River are believed to be the source for the sandstone and laterite shipped to Wat Phu. Located well off the beaten track, Wat Oum Muong is guarded by dense forests all around.
One of the most beautiful sights in Champasak is Si Pan Don or the Four Thousands Islands at the widest section (about 14 km or nine miles) of the Mekong River. Here thousands of sandbars and islands rise from the water. Rainy season (June-October) obscure some of the smaller islands but this should not be a deterent to visiting this amazing area.
Don Khong, the largest of the Four Thousand Islands has a population largely comprised of fishermen and farmers. It provides an easy access point to the island area and can be a base for exploring further south where you can find magnificent waterfalls, river dolphins, the remnants of the French colonial period and much more.
Further south still is Southeast Asia's biggest waterfall -- Khongphrapheng, a part of the Mekong River. From Pakse City, the waterfall is about two hours away. Theimmense waterfall is formed where the Mekong River falls over a fault line and is a site not to be missed.
Battles were frequently fought in and around Champasak and the province was an important player in the history of Laos and Siam. You can find some information about Champasak in the Thao Suranaree, History of Important Thais, written by Manit Plophinit and translated into English by Frank G Anderson. The following provinces are Champasak's neighbours (clockwise from the north): Salavan, Xekong and Attapue; to the south, the Cambodian provinces of Stung Treng and Preah Vihear; and to the west, Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani Province.
Our Champasak Hotels site features an interactive Champasak map and pictures of each of our properties in Champasak province, which means you can know exactly where you are staying and what kind of hotel and room you are booking.
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