Laos’s Angkor Wat
Southern Laos, Laos
Meaning ‘Mountain Temple’ Wat Phu is an incredible UNESCO protected Khmer temple site that dates back to the 5th century. Travellers in southern Laos should not miss the opportunity to explore what is a remote site with amazing views.
Background
Wat Phu sits at the foot of a holy mountain, Phu Kao, in southern Laos, and is the oldest historical site of worship in the country with a history dating back some 1,500 years.
Dismiss all thoughts of gilded northern Lao wats and think more along the lines of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Wat Phu is a series of monasteries, temples and shrines and was originally a place of worship for Hindus, religion of the early Khmers before changing to a Buddhist site. Scholars believe the oldest part of the complex dates back to the 6th century. An ancient city nearby measures some 2km by 1.8km, and was clearly an impressive and important Khmer base and is thought to be ancient Shrestapura.
The site is extensive and impressive with much to see, amongst which are two huge ruined brick and stone-built temples at the bottom of the mountain, two ponds, a staircase and path to the top of the mountain. At the top of the temple site are a number of carved rocks, resembling a crocodile and an elephant. It is believed that these rocks were used for human sacrifice.