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Wat Pa Phon Phao
An easy 3km walk or bicycle ride north- east of town is Wat Pa Phon Phao, a forest meditation wat famous for the teachings of the late abbot, Ajahn Saisamut. Saisamuts funeral in 1992 was the largest and most well attended monks funeral Laos had seen in decades.
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Wat Thadsuvanna Phakham
Commanding the rise directly above the speedboat landing, 3km south of the central area, Wat Thadsuvanna Phakham is a colourful new temple featuring a row of eight gilded Buddhas demonstrating the main meditation postures and disdaining Mekong views beneath floral foliage
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That Makmo
This lumpy hemispherical stupa is commonly nicknamed That Makmo, which translates as Watermelon Stupa. Originally constructed in 1503, it was pillaged for hidden treasures during the 1887 destructions and the latest renovation (1932) coated the stupa in drab grey concrete.
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Royal Palace Exhibition Halls
Once the home of the last king of Laos, Sisavang Vong, this fine French-accented palace features a golden dais, a reception room hung in Gauginesque canvases, and the decidedly sober living quarters seemingly left just as they were when the king was seized by the Pathet Lao.
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Kompong Sralao
In bustling Muang Saen, boatmen (for a big tip) will take you visa-free across to the Cambodian village of Kompong Sralao on the west bank of the Mekong. Theres nothing to see, but you can say that youve been to a part of Cambodia few others have visited and sample an Angkor Beer.
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Wat Pakkhan
Dated 1737 but rebuilt a century ago, Wat Pakkhan has a simple, appealingly archaic look with angled support struts holding up the lower of its two superposed roofs. Across the road, the ochre colonial-era villa that now forms Unesco offices was once the citys customs office.
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Muang Khong Market
The market is fascinating between 4.30am and 6.30am, when people come from throughout the islands to buy and sell. Many come by boat and getting yourself down to the small beach at dawn to watch the boats unload their fish, fowl and other fare is a fantastic way to start the day.
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Ho Nang Sida
An easy 1.3km walk to the south of Wat Phu – stick to the trail heading south from the terraced promenade because there may be some UXO (unexploded ordnance) in the area – stands Ho Nang Sida, which probably dates from the early 10th century and might have been the central shrine
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Ban Viengkeo
Given a days notice, Jumbo Guesthouse can organise 5km elephant rides across a wide valley of rice paddies and watermelon fields to Ban Viengkeo. Many of Viengkeos log-and-timber Tai Lü homes have weavers looms beneath the high stilted floors and the village is the areas major cent
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That Chomsi
One of the most sacred sites in Luang Prabang and located at the top of Mount Phu Si. Having climbed myriad steps leading to it youll be rewarded with the best view of the city and Mekong River from here. Built in 1804, by night the temple gleams like a chandelier for all to see. B
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Tham Sa Pha In
With high cliffs either side, Rte 12 continues through a narrow pass (about 11.5km from Rte 13) and immediately beyond a track leads north to Tham Sa Pha In. This rarely visited Buddhist holy cave is said to have magical healing powers; swimming is not allowed. Theres no sign here;
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Thai
This market lines the street along the lake and is filled with sellers from both sides of the river. It can get pretty lively and the wares for sale include many forest products such as herbal remedies and local foods. You may see crates of chirping crickets and other kinds of bugs
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Banjeng Temple
Udomxais foremost monastery is Banjeng Temple, which is modest but very attractively set on a riverside knoll. The most notable feature here is an imaginative concrete tree of life. Tinkling in the breeze, its metal leaves hide a menagerie of naively crafted animal and bird statues
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Food Market
The fascinating food market is well stocked with fresh vegetables and meats, some rather startling. Field rats are displayed cut open to show the freshness of their entrails. Banana leaves might be stuffed with squirming insects. And theres plenty of dead furry wildlife that youd p
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Wat Aham
This small wat was the residence of the Sangharat (Supreme Patriarch of Lao Buddhism) until superseded by Wat Mai two hundred years ago. Colourful, if unsophisticated, murals of Buddhist history and (sometimes gruesome) morality tales cover the interior walls but there are no trans
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Wat Luang
There are about 20 wats in Pakse, among which the 1935 Wat Luang is one of the largest. A monastic school here features ornate concrete pillars, carved wooden doors and murals; the artists whimsy departs from canonical art without losing the traditional effect. Behind the sǐm is a
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Prasat
Close to the village of Ban That south of Wat Phu stand three Khmer prasat (square-based brick stupas) reminiscent of similar tripartite monuments in Thailands Lopburi. No doubt symbolic of the Hindu Trimurti of Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, the towers are believed to date from the 11t
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Wat Sin Jong Jaeng
Overlooking the Mekong, archaic little Wat Sin Jong Jaeng dates back to the early colonial period. Although its eaves have been entirely repainted, an old, very faded mural remains on the sǐm s eastern exterior. Look carefully and youll spot a moustachioed figure with hat, umbrella
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Fort Carnot
The very dilapidated shell of French-built Fort Carnot sits on the hilltop behind the Bokeo Governors Office. Two towers are still standing, one straddling the gateway, but the tiles are falling off the old barrack room roofs and the whole sparse site is hardly a highlight of Huay
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Tat Tha Jet & Tat Kameud
Those looking for a less touristy waterfall experience can head to Ban Nong Luang, 11km east of Paksong. From this village its possible to take a local guide and walk to two fairly impressive waterfalls, the seven-tiered Tat Tha Jet and Tat Kameud.To get to Ban Nong Luang, head eas
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