Place to Visit: Pakse

Great Southern-Laos Base

Southern Laos, Laos

Southern Laos’ Champassak Province is home to one of Asia's great, but least-visited temples, Wat Phu and Pakse is the perfect base form which to explore. Located at the confluence of the Se and Mekong Rivers Pakse is a busy market town and is located in amazing countryside. Come here en route to the Bolaven Plateau, Si Phan Don and Khone Phapeng Falls.

Great Reasons To Visit

  • Perfect base for exploring Wat Phu.
  • Attractions in its own right.
  • Good range of accommodation to suit all budgets.

Background

Only around a hundred years old Pakse has prospered since the famous Lao-Japanese Bridge linking it with Thailand was opened in 2002. It’s a laid back town relaxed Mekong-side town (though its name means ‘mouth of the Se’) with more than a few temples to discover. Much of the attraction of Pakse lies around the town – a bike ride into the countryside is great fun and there are the draws of Champasak and the silk weaving villages.

Relaxing

A bike ride is the perfect way to relax – head out into the countryside and make some new friends

Pakse

In town the Champasak Historical Heritage Museum is famous for its three bronze bells dating from the 7th century, but there is stonework, musical instruments, jewellery and some textiles to see too. The town has a dozen or so wats: Wat Luang is ornate and well worth a visit whilst Wat Tham Fai has a Buddha footprint.

Outside town you can head to Ban Saphai and Don Kho, an island in the Mekong, both of which are silk weaving centres.

Champasak itself lies close to Wat Phu and is a great day out: colonial buildings, traditional Lao houses and wats – great!

Pakse - Champasak

Champasak

Southern Laos, Laos

The small town of Champasak was once the seat of the Royal Family and yet is today a backwater of the Province to whom it has given its name. Just a couple of earth roads and wooden shops, a few templ...

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Pakse – Don Kho and Ban Saphai

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Southern Laos, Laos

Ban Saphai is a village on Don Kho, an island in the Mekong 17km from Pakse and is famous for its small-scale silk industry: it’s difficult to believe that this little backwater was once the administr...

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Pakse - Wat Luang

Wat Luang, Pakse

Southern Laos, Laos

Wat Luang has carved doors, brightly painted decoration and ornate pillars. The impressive white and gold stupa is nice and the main temple itself is ornately painted. Worth a visit.

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Pakse - Wat Than Fai

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Southern Laos, Laos

Wat Tham Fai has a Buddha footprint and has stupas that hold the remains of monks. Worth bobbing in if passing.

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