[2025 Pakse Attraction] Travel Guide for Wat Phousalao (Updated May)

#Get a discount without relying on luck **Review of traveling to "Vat Phu Temple" in Champasak: World Heritage of Southern Laos** When it comes to places you can't miss in Southern Laos, **"Vat Phu Temple"** is one of the world heritage sites that perfectly reflects the ancient Khmer civilization and natural beauty. It is located in Champasak, about 6 kilometers from the city, on the hill of Phu Kwai (Phu Klao), which was registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001. ### **Travel** - **From Thailand**: Most start at Ubon Ratchathani → Take a van to the Chong Mek border → Pass through the immigration checkpoint → Continue to Pakse or Champasak, where you can rent a car or take a local bus (about 43 km). - **Within Laos**: From Pakse, drive across the Mekong River to Champasak, which takes 1 hour, or take a local bus that provides regular service. ### **Highlights of Wat Phu Temple** 1. **Ancient Khmer architecture**: Built in the 12th Buddhist century to offer to Shiva, the ancient Angkor Wat has a walkway of female columns. The pavilion and the Gopura (gateway) are symbolically divided into levels. 2. **Sacred Well**: The top floor of the castle has underground water seeping from the mountain. It is believed to be sacred. Lao people like to sprinkle water over their heads for good luck. 3. **Champasak Viewpoint**: The top of the mountain offers a panoramic view of the city, especially in the morning when the mountain is covered with a thin layer of fog. 4. **Trimurti Sculpture**: Behind the castle are sculptures of the five-headed Shiva, Brahma, and Narayana, reflecting Shaivism. ### **Activities and Festivals** - **Wat Phu Annual Fair**: Held in February (full moon day of the third lunar month), there are local rituals and cultures to see. - **Historical Walk**: The museum near the entrance (closed on some days) provides information on past sacrifices, such as the sacrifice of young women. ### **Things not to miss in Champasak** - **French-style buildings**: Walk around the village of Wat Amat And take pictures with colonial architecture - **Local food**: Fish salad, Lao papaya salad, and fresh cherry snails from the Mekong River, sold along the way up to the castle - **Boutique accommodation**: such as Inthira Champasak Hotel ### **Additional advice** - **Prepare**: Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water, a down jacket (the weather is cold on the mountain), and a sun hat - **Entrance fee**: 50,000 kip (~230 baht) for foreigners - **Best time**: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid the strong sun and watch the golden light reflecting off the castle rocks **Summary**: Wat Phu Temple is not only a historical site, but also a place that perfectly connects nature and beliefs. It is suitable for tourists who love to walk with local culture and want to experience Laos in a quiet corner but also with the greatness of civilization. 🏞️

#springitinerary Hey adventurers! 🌿 Just got back from an unexpectedly epic weekend in Pakse, and let me tell you—this little riverside town is Laos’ best-kept secret. Think jungle waterfalls, French-colonial relics, and coffee so good it’ll ruin Starbucks for you forever. Here’s how I spent my 48 hours falling in love with the slow, steamy south! 🌊 The Waterfall That Made Me Scream (In a Good Way) Tad Fane—a double-barreled waterfall plunging 120m into a misty abyss. I stood on the viewing platform, felt the spray on my face, and let out an involuntary “WHOA.” (Cue embarrassed laughter from nearby tourists.) The Bolevan Plateau is packed with falls, but this one? Next-level majestic. ☕ The Coffee Break That Changed Everything Southern Laos grows some of the world’s best coffee, and I became a convert at Sinouk Coffee House. Their iced coffee with condensed milk was so smooth, I almost ordered a second… then a third. (No regrets.) Pro tip: Buy beans to take home—your future self will thank you. 🍛 The Food Stall That Won My Heart (And Stomach) At Pakse’s morning market, I found a tiny stall selling khao jee pâté—a Lao-French hybrid of baguette, pâté, and chili sauce. Crunchy, spicy, messy—perfect. The auntie running it laughed as I tried (and failed) to eat it without dripping sauce everywhere. Worth it. ⏳ My Wild & Relaxed Itinerary Day 1 – Friday Evening 4:00 PM: Arrived, checked into a Mekong-view guesthouse (budget-friendly & breezy!). 6:00 PM: Sunset drinks at Delta Coffee (their lemongrass mojito = genius). 8:00 PM: Lao BBQ dinner—grilled meats, sticky rice, and all the dipping sauces. Day 2 – Saturday 7:00 AM: Wat Luang Temple (gold Buddhas + morning serenity). 9:00 AM: Motorbike adventure to Tad Lo (jungle vibes + swimming under waterfalls). 2:00 PM: Coffee tasting at Jhai Coffee House (support local farmers!). 6:00 PM: Mekong River cruise (with cold Beerlao, duh). Day 3 – Sunday 7:00 AM: Market breakfast (noodle soup + iced coffee). 10:00 AM: Champasak ruins day trip (mini Angkor Wat vibes!). 2:00 PM: Last-minute souvenir shopping (handwoven scarves + coffee beans). 4:00 PM: Flew home, already planning my return. 💡 Must-Know Tips for Pakse Newbies Rent a motorbike ($7/day) to explore waterfalls freely. Pack swimwear & quick-dry clothes (you will get wet). Haggle gently—prices are already low, but markets expect it. Learn basic Lao phrases—locals love when you try ("Sabaidee!" = hello). Pakse is the kind of place where adventure meets chill—no crowds, just pure Lao magic. Who’s joining me next time? 🚀 #PakseAdventures #WaterfallChaser #CoffeeAndWaterfalls

#GetDiscountsWithoutLuck Hello friends, #trip members. For those who travel to Pakse, Laos, you will be able to clearly see a large Buddha statue on the mountain. This is both a temple that is a spiritual anchor for the people of Pakse and a very beautiful viewpoint. 🙏🏻 Wat Phusalao or Wat Phusalao 🙏🏻 This temple has a large Buddha statue as the main body facing the Mekong River. Behind it, there are many smaller Buddha statues arranged in order. There is also a point where you can see the view of Pakse and the Lao-Japanese Friendship Bridge. 🇱🇦🇯🇵 Visiting here in the evening is very beautiful. 🌈 To get to the viewpoint, you can walk up the stairs, which have a lot of steps, or drive around the path up the mountain. Cars can easily go up. 🚗

Wat Phou Salleo, Pakse, Lao PDR This temple is easily noticeable because before entering Pakse, you will see a golden Buddha statue standing out on a hill near the Laos-Japan Friendship Bridge. You can go up to watch the sunset and see the view of Pakse. You can walk up the stairs or drive up the hill. It is considered one of the most beautiful viewpoints from a high angle when visiting Champasak, Southern Laos. Inside the temple, there are also many small Buddha statues. 📍Pakse, Champasak, Lao PDR #Mu travel destination #Wat Phou Salleo #Pakse #Sabai Dee Pakse #Visit Southern Laos #Southern Lao temple #Golden Buddha #Champasak Province #Mekong River Champasak Laos

The centrepiece of this hilltop temple across the Mekong from Pakse is the giant golden Buddha statue looking out over the city. I met a local guide here who shared with me that this is a sacred Hindu temple originally built in the 12th century during the reign of the Khmer Empire. The view here is amazing, especially when the sun is setting! Look at that skyline and the clouds! #laos