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Buddha Footprint
This mysterious footprint is one of many scattered around Southeast Asia, and is said to be that of the Buddhas after he reached enlightenment. That said, he must have been a large fella for it measures 3m!
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Main Market
Sorry, we currently have no review for this sight.
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Tham Jang
The most famous of the caves, Tham Jang, was used as a bunker in defence against marauding jęen hór (Yunnanese Chinese) in the early 19th century (jąng means ‘steadfast’). Stairs lead up to the main cavern entrance.
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Mulberries
This is a fair-trade silk farm that offers interesting free visits that include a complete introduction to the silk-weaving process from cocoon to colourful scarves. Its off Rte 7 just west of the main bus station.
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Tham Sang
Tham Sang is a small cavern containing a few buddha images and a buddha ‘footprint’, plus the (vaguely) elephant-shaped stalactite that gives the cave its name. It’s best visited in the morning when light enters the cave.
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Wat Choumkhong
The garden around the little Wat Choumkhong is particularly attractive when its poinsettia trees blush red. Built in 1843, the monastery takes its name from a Buddha statue that was originally cast from a melted-down gong.
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Wat Pha Mahathat
Wat Pha Mahathat is named for a venerable Lanna-style stupa erected in 1548. The 1910 sǐm in front has carved wooden windows and portico, rosette-gilded pillars and exterior reliefs retelling tales of the Buddhas past lives.
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Tham Nok Ann
Tham Nok Ann is a soaring cavern through which a river passes beneath its awesome rock formations. Dripping, creepy and very atmospheric, theres a boatman who can take you through and back for 50,000K (up to three persons).
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Luang Nam Tha Museum
The Luang Nam Tha Museum contains a collection of local anthropological artefacts, such as ethnic clothing, Khamu bronze drums and ceramics. There are also a number of buddha images and the usual display chronicling the Revolution.
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Savannakhet Provincial Museum
The Savannakhet Provincial Museum is a good place to see war relics, artillery pieces and inactive examples of the deadly UXO (unexploded ordnance) that has claimed the lives of more than 20,000 Lao since the end of the Secret War.
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UXO Lao
Drop by this place, opposite the Ministry of Finance office just west of the market. These guys have been clearing UXO for years and have a mildly interesting display of rusting munitions and weaponry in their yard. Visitors are welcome.
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Villa Xieng Mouane
Footpaths lead back from the commercial main drag into a little oasis of palm-shaded calm around the Villa Xieng Mouane, an authentic traditional longhouse on tree-trunk stilts that is now partly used as an occasional exhibition centre.
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Wat Phabaht
The modern Vietnamese–Lao temple of Wat Phabaht is fronted by a distinctive if kitschy array of spires. Behind is a shady Mekong-front terrace from which steps lead down to another gigantic holy footprint hidden beneath a turquoise shelter.
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Wat Tham Fai
Founded in 1935, Wat Tham Fai, near the Champasak Palace Hotel, is undistinguished except for its spacious grounds, making it a prime site for temple festivals. Its also known as Wat Pha Bat because there is a small Buddha footprint shrine.
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Musée Des Dinosaures
In 1930 a major dig in a nearby village unearthed 200-million-year-old dinosaur fossils. The enthusiastically run Dinosaur Museum is an interesting place to see three different dinosaurs. Savannakhet Province is home to five dinosaur sites.
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Golden Stupa
By far Namthas most striking landmark, the large golden stupa sits on a steep ridge directly northwest of town. It gleams majestically when viewed from afar. Up close, the effect is a bit more bling, but the views over town are impressive
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Tham Hoi
From Tham Sang a signed path takes you 1km northwest through rice fields to the entrance of 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.
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Tribal Museum
The most distinctive of the old Lao-French buildings is now home to the two-room Tribal Museum, which boasts costume displays downstairs and six cases of cultural artefacts upstairs. Watching a 40-minute video on the Akha people costs 5000K extra.
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Wat Sensoukaram
Rich ruby red walls with intricate gold overlay gives Wat Sensoukaram one of the most dazzling facades of all of Luang Prabangs temples. The name reportedly refers to the initial donation of 100,000K made to build it, a handsome sum back in 1718.
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Exhibition Hall
The Exhibition Hall beside the ticket office showcases dozens of lintels, naga (mythical water serpents), Buddhas and other stone work from Wat Phu and its associated sites. Descriptions are in English, plus the building includes clean bathrooms.
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