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Dong Hua Sao NPA
Surrounding Paksong and encompassing much of the Bolaven Plateau is the 1100-sq-km Dong Hua Sao NPA, home to large tracts of pristine jungle where you might spot monkeys, large butterflies and rare hornbills. Until recently, wild elephants roamed here but they are gone now accordi
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Pha That Sikhottabong
About 6km south of town is the much venerated Pha That Sikhottabong stupa, which stands in the grounds of a 19th-century monastery of the same name. Considered one of the most important tâht (stupa) in Laos, Sikhottabong was first renovated by King Setthathirat in the 16th century,
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UXO Information Centre
Decades after Americas Secret War on Laos, unexploded bombs and mines remain a devastating problem throughout this region. Visit the thought-provoking UXO Information Centre run by British organisation MAG (Mines Advisory Group) that has been helping to clear Laos unexploded ordnan
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Tham Kong Lo
Situated in the 1580-sq-km wilderness of Phu Hin Bun National Protected Area , this 7.5km river tunnel, running beneath an immense limestone mountain, ratchets up the fear dial like some natural gothic ghost ride. Puttering into its 100m church-high darkness by longtail is the only
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That Xieng Tung
Around 6km southeast of Muang Sing, That Xieng Tung is the famous stupa built by Muang Sings founder dowager-queen in 1792. Shorter and less embellished than that at Wat Namkeo Luang, the octagonal layout is reminiscent of similar structures in Xishuangbanna, across the Chinese bor
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Tham Pha Thok
Around 2km east along remarkably quiet Rte 1C, the horizons array of towering karst formations reaches a brief but particularly impressive climax. Just beyond, Tham Pha Thok is a series of caves in an abrupt limestone cliff. This is where villagers and much of the Pathet Laos Luang
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Buddhas
Along the western side of the cloister is a pile of Buddhas that were damaged during the 1828 Siamese-Lao war. And in the sǐm (ordination hall) a slightly damaged Khmer-style Naga Buddha - which depicts the Buddha seated on a coiled cobra deity (naga ), sheltered by the naga s mult
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Wat Tham Xieng Maen
Founded in 1889 and since abandoned, Wat Tham Xieng Maen is in a 100m-deep limestone cave called Tham Sakkarin Savannakuha, a little northwest of Wat Long Khun. Many Buddha images from temples that have been torched or otherwise fallen into decay are kept here; during Bun Pi Mai La
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Tat Sae
The wide, multi-level cascade pools of this waterfall are a particularly memorable sight from August to November. They dry up almost completely by February and, unlike Tat Kuang Si, theres no single long-drop centrepiece. But several year-round gimmicks keep visitors coming, notabl
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Tham Pha Chan
Further afield is Tham Pha Chan, with an entrance 60m high and about 100m wide. A stream runs about 600m through a limestone karst and in the dry season its possible to walk to the far side. At its western end there is a sandalwood Buddha image in a crevice about 15m above the grou
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Pak Ou Caves
Where rivers Ou and Mekong meet at Ban Pak Ou, two famous caves in the limestone cliff are crammed with myriad buddha images. In the lower cave a photogenic group of buddhas are silhouetted against the stunning riverine backdrop. The upper cave is five minutes climb up steps (youll
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Lao Textile Museum
What began as a private museum, established by the family that runs Kanchana Boutique, has subsequently become something of a Lao cultural centre, with the help of several foreign NGOs. The emphasis at this leafy traditional Lao compound is predominantly on textiles, and in additio
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Wat Longkhun
The enchanting Wat Longkhun is set amid bougainvillea and starburst Palmyra palms. When the coronation of a Luang Prabang king was pending, it was customary for him to spend three days in retreat at Wat Longkhun before ascending the throne. Today various monastic outbuildings retai
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Dolphins
A pod of rare Irrawaddy dolphins hangs out beneath the rapids in a wide pool known as Boong Pa Gooang, off the south tip of Don Khon. Boats are chartered (60,000K, maximum three people) for one-hour trips from the old French landing pier in Ban Hang Khon. Sightings are regular yea
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Tham Piu
North of Muang Kham rises an imposing wall of abrupt wooded ridges and exposed limestone rock-faces. Carved into one such cliffside is Tham Piu, a cave where villagers sought protection from American bombers during the Indochina war. Hundreds died here in November 1968 when a US fi
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Nam Tok Katamtok
Running off the Bolaven Plateau, the Huay Katam drops more than 100m out of thick forest at Nam Tok Katamtok, which some describe as Laos highest waterfall. And while they may or may not be bigger than Tat Fan, these falls are more impressive because they are so difficult to reach.
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Tat Kuang Si
Thirty kilometres southwest of Luang Prabang, Tat Kuang Si is a many-tiered waterfall tumbling over limestone formations into a series of cool, swimmable turquoise pools; the term Edenic doesnt do it justice. Between swinging off ropes into the water, theres a public park with shel
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Wat Phuthawanaram
About 5km south of town on the Mekong stands the oldest active temple in Champasak, more popularly known as Wat Muang Kang. The intriguing hǎw tąi (Tripitaka library) combines elements of French-colonial and Lao Buddhist architecture. The hǎw tąi s three-tiered roof has coloured mo
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Dong Natad
Dong Natad is a sacred, semievergreen forest within a provincial protected area 15km from Savannakhet. Its home to two villages that have been coexisting with the forest for about 400 years, with villagers gathering forest products such as mushrooms (in the rainy season), fruit, oi
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That Ing Hang
Thought to have been built in the mid-16th century, this well-proportioned, 9m-high thâat is the second holiest religious edifice in southern Laos after Wat Phu Champasak. The Buddha is believed to have stopped here when he was sick during his wanderings back in ancient times. He r
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