Laos - DESTINATIONS & HOTELS

Champasak Province & Wat Phou

The province of Champasak is home to one of Asia's great, but least visited temples, Wat Phou. Pakse, the capital of Champasak Province, is situated at the confluence of the Se and the Mekong Rivers (Pakse means 'mouth of the Se') and is a busy trading town. The town has one of the largest markets in the region.

Wat Phou, meaning “temple on the mountain” is believed to have been built in the 6th century as a tribute to the Hindu god Shiva, it has also been said by some scholars to have been the blueprint for Angkor Wat and other temples in modern day Cambodia. Wat Phou, although small in comparison with its counter parts in Cambodia, more than delivers as the elaborate shiva-lingam sanctuary, mysterious crocodile stone and overgrown feel all add to the spiritual and mystical atmosphere. The energetic may walk up the hill to the upper platform where you will be afforded wonderful views of the Mekong River plain. There are dozens of other lesser temple sites dotted about the area including the fascinating Wat Oum Muong located just across the Mekong River. The whole area was given UNESCO World Heritage status in 2001.