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Tat Saloei
This impressive series of cascades forms a combined drop of almost 100m. Its briefly visible from eastbound Rte 6 roughly 1km after Km 55 (ie 36km from Sam Neua), but easy to miss westbound. There are some small local cafes and restaurants on the roadside here, plus what looks like
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Tham Loup & Tham Hoi
From Tham Sang a signed path takes you 1km northwest through rice fields to the entrances of Tham Loup & Tham Hoi. The entrance to Tham Hoi is guarded by a large Buddha figure; reportedly the cave continues about 3km into the limestone and an underground lake. Tham Loup is a la
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Wat Chomphet
Ban Xieng Maens long, narrow, brick-edged street slowly degrades into a rough track, eventually becoming little more than a rocky footpath. At about this point climb an obvious 123-step stairway to find the 1888 Wat Chomphet fronted by greying twin pagodas. The hilltop temple is li
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PMC
This is a small exhibition room and shop introducing local fibres and selling handmade paper products, bags and local essences. If youre wondering why its part-funded by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, thats because these crafts are an attempt to find non-narcotic-based commerce
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Wat Jom Thong
At the northern end of town is Wat Jom Thong, the oldest temple on the island. Dating from the Chao Anou period (1805–28), the main sǐm features a unique cruciform floor plan in crumbling brick and stucco with a tile roof. Carved wooden window shutters are a highlight, and an old w
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Suan Keo Lak Meung Monument
At the towns central junction stands the bizarre Suan Keo Lak Meung Monument. Four hooked concrete pincers hold aloft a glittery disco-ball that is intended to celebrate Sam Neuas folk-song image as an indestructible jewel. However, the effect is unintentionally comic with its back
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Wat Xieng Maen
First founded in 1592, Wat Xieng Maen gained a hallowed air in 1867 by housing the Pha Bang for seven nights while on its way back to Luang Prabang after 40 years in Thai hands. The monasterys current, colourful sǐm contains an attractive family of Buddhas and has stencilled column
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Viewpoint
An hour and a halfs walk up a sinuous path cut through the jungle, directly above the town, is a viewpoint with an unforgettable panorama. Drink up the sunset view (but bring a strong torch for your descent) or head here at 6am to witness the valley below veiled in mist, the mounta
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Phu Fa
For great views across town climb to the stupa-topped peak of Phu Fa, a punishing, tree-shaded climb up over 400 stone steps or a very bumpy, steep road thats just passable by motorbike in first gear. A 4000K toll is payable on the last section of the ascent from a picnic area. A
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Wat Rattanalangsi
Wat Rattanalangsi was built in 1951 and houses a monks primary school. The sĭm (ordination hall) is unique in that it has glass windows (most windows in Lao temples are unglazed). Other structures include a rather gaudy Brahma shrine, a modern săhláh lóng tám (sermon hall) and a sh
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Wat Phu Khao Kaew
About 5km northeast of Muang Saen, Wat Phu Khao Kaew was built on the site of some Khmer ruins. It is believed to be home to a naga, though the entrance to its lair is covered. Look for some boulders leading to a path up to the temple on the eastern side of the hill. Youll have a m
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Tat Soung
Tat Soung is a 50m drop. Unfortunately a new dam has substantially reduced the flow of this once-spectacular waterfall. If you walk 300m or so upstream from the top of the falls youll find a delightful swimming hole. You can walk to Tat Soung with a guide, or ride a motorbike or bi
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Wat Simungkhun
The most characterful of Hongsas several monasteries is Wat Simungkhun. Its initiation pavilion (hang song pa ) is fashioned in attractive naive style while the archaic, muralled sǐm sits on an oddly raised stone platform that allegedly covers a large hole leading to the end of the
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Tha Falang
At Km 11 (about 9km from Rte 13) a rough trail leads 2km north to the water-sculpted rocks at Tha Falang on the scenic Nam Don (Don River). Tha Falang is much more easily accessed than Khoun Kong Leng but is not nearly as attractive, especially in the dry season. In the wet season
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Old Town
The towns modest but distinctive old-town area includes a three-block grid of rough, stone-flagged alleys and a winding street mostly lined with traditional Yunnanese shophouses whose wooden frontages recall the architecture of old Kunming. Tiny, new and functional, the Chinese Tem
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Tat Hang
Tat Hang is the waterfall nearest to town. It can be seen from the bridge and some guesthouses. You can swim here – often along with hordes of locals. Note that during the dry season, dam authorities upstream release water in the evening, more than doubling the waterfall volume. Ch
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Tham Nang Aen
The last cave along this stretch of Rte 12 is the touristy Tham Nang Aen, about 18km from Tha Khaek. The turn-off to the cave is indicated by a clear sign just past a left-hand bend 16km from the junction with Rte 13. The 700m-long track should be passable at all but the wettest ti
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Uo Moung
The Khmer temple ruin of Uo Moung is thought to have been built late in the 9th century during the reign of the Khmer King Yasovarman I. It’s about 45km south of Pakse off Rte 13 in a wonderfully shaded forest beside a small tributary of the Mekong. The exact function of the temple
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Jar Site 3
The 150-jar Site 3 sits on a scenic hillside in pretty woodland near Ban Lat Khai village. The access road to Lat Khai leads east beside a tiny motorbike repair hut just before Ban Xiang Di (Ban Siang Dii). The ticket booth is beside a simple local restaurant that offers somewhat o
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Tham Pa Fa
When Mr Bun Nong used a vine to scramble 15m up a sheer 200m-high cliff in April 2004 he discovered a narrow cave mouth and, stepping into the cavern beyond, was greeted by 229 bronze Buddha images. The Buddhas, ranging from 15cm to about 1m tall, were sitting as they had been for
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