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Fading
French colonial
architecture and ancient temple
ruins make Champasack a place to see evidence of the rich cultural
heritage of
Laos. Rare freshwater dolphins and powerful waterfalls feature among
the
highlights to be seen in the province’s nature. Its geographical
condition
creates one of the most beautiful tourist sites in Laos |
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Champasack has a population of
about 600,000 including
Lowland Lao, Highland Lao, Khmers and many unique ethnic minority
groups. The
province is also famous for the production of Lao coffee, tea, rattan,
and
other agricultural produces |
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The distance from
Vientiane to Pakse, the provincial
capital of Champasackis 610 kilometers by Route 13 (south) via the
provinces of
Borikhamxay, Khammouane, Savannakhet and saravane |
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Located at the confluence
of the Xedone and the Mekong
Rivers, Pakse links trade and travel between Thailand to Cambodia and
Vietnam.
Founded as an administrative outpost by the French in 1905, the town
retains
much of its colonial legacy and architecture. The Champasack Historical
Heritage Museum offers a good introduction to Lao history, culture and
art |
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A small town located on
the Right Bank of the Mekong River
shares a common border with Thailand. It formed one of the three
principalities
of the Lane Xang Empire in 1349 and was under the region of King Fa
Ngum.
Visitors to the famous Wat Amath can observe treasures dating back to
stone
age |
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Wat
Phou Champasack
(The second World Heritage Site in Laos)
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Certainly the highlight of any
visit to Champasack Province
is the ancient Khmer Temple of Wat Phou. Situated on the Phou Kao
(mountains)
slope 6 kilometers away from Champasack District and about 45
kilometers from
south of Pakse along the Mekong River. It is also important as an
historic and
cultural site and was acknowledged by UNESCO (United Nations
Educational
Scientific and Cultural Organization) as a World Heritage Site on
December 14,
2001 (the second World Heritage site in Laos) |
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Wat Phou, a complex of temple
buildings constructed in
Khmer style overlooking the Mekong is both impressive and inspiring. It
is
recognized as one of the most important Hindu sanctuaries of Cambodia’s
Khmer
Empire, which was in place between the 9th to 13th
Centuries and is the largest example of Khmer Architecture in southern
Laos. On
the same site, ruins dating from pre-Angor times have also been
identified |
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On the moonmoon of the third
lunar month, usually during
February and before celebrations at Angor, Champasack celebrates the
traditional Wat Phou Festival at the ruins. Festivities include
elephant
racing, cock fighting and performances of traditional Lao music and
dancing |
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Si Phan Don (Four
Thousand Islands) |
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The breathtaking Si Phan
Don or Four Thousand Islands are
located in a section of the Mekong River just north of the border with
Cambodia. Don Khong is the largest island and boasts a number of small
villages, temples and caves. A French-built Bridge remaining from a now
defunct
railway connects the two smaller islands of Don Deth and Don Khon |
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Pakha,
freshwater dolphins of the Mekong |
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The center for protection
and conservation of freshwater
Dolphins is located on the border of Laos-Cambodia. The freshwater
dolphins are
called “Pakha” in Lao, and inhabit only this part of the Mekong River.
Tourists
can observe the endangered freshwater dolphins by chartering boats from
either
Ban Khon or Ban Veunkham (located at the southern tip of the islands) |
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Located on Don Khon, west
of Ban Khon Village, Liphi
Waterfall is another amazing natural site to visit in Champasack
Province. A
calmer section of the river below the falls forms a natural habitat for
the
endangered fresh water dolphins |
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East of Don Khon on the
Mekong River is the jewel of
Champasack Province. Further downstream, the Mekong cascades across a
wide
mouth of rock which slopes in curvilinear pattern is sometimes tinted
by
rainbow. It’s the Lao Niagara, the widest waterfall of Asia, more than
20
kilometers width. A place where the Mekong River takes a drop before
continuing
its course into the South China Sea via Cambodia and Vietnam. It’s also
renowned
as a fish basin. These spectacular waterfalls render this section of
the Mekong
River unavailable |
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This natural tourism site
is located within the Dong Hua
Sao, a National Biodiversity Conservation Area at Ban Lak 38 along
Route 16
from Pakse toward Pakxong District. The Champi and Prakkoot streams,
which
originate in the Boloven Plateau at some 1,000 meters abovesea level,
come
together to create the Tad Fane Waterfall. The real beauty of this
waterfall
stems from the two branches of the stream dividing town its steep
cliffs. An
endless flow of water is created and if windy, the mist sprays and
rainbows are
spectacular |
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The
waterfall set among the blue skies and evergreen
forest, creates one of most hypnotizing views. The endless cool breeze
helps
capture a full taste of nature. It is a deal spot for tourists to relax
and
enjoy nature. Although it is not possible to reach the waterfall to
swim, the
view is an unforgettable experience |
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Wat Phou Asa is an
ancient Hindu-Khmer pagoda. It was built
on flat rock on Phou Kao Klat Ngong Mount in Pathoumphone District. In
recent
times it has become a well-known National Heritage and Amazing Site. To
visit
this pagoda, travel along Route 13 (south) from Pakse. Once arriving at
Km 38,
turn left to Route 18B and travel about 8 kilometers to Ban Klat Ngong
Village.
It is then a further 2 kilometers walk to the pagoda |
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Historically, it was
built by the Khmers with worshipping
links to Wat Phou Champasack. Despite the pagoda being in a damaged
stage, it
is still an important archeological site where visitors are welcome.
Archeologists have surveyed the site and are preparing for restoration.
It is
hoped that Wat Phou Asa will be preserved shortly so that remains part
of Lao
Cultural Heritage forever |
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Tormor Rocky Channel was
listed as the 15th
National Heritage Site in Laos receiving approval via Prime Minister’s
Degree
174/PMO at the same time as Wat Phou Champasack. The Tormor Rocky
Channel
archeological site is located about 11 kilometers southeast from Wat
Phou
Champasack on the left bank of the Mekong River |
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The Tormor Rocky House,
as is known by the locals, was
originally built in the 19th Century with bricks and carved
stone
during the 7th and 8th Centuries. These were
later
destroyed with the Gopuya artwork now on display built with layered
rocks in
the 11th and 12th Centuries |
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Columns
of sanstone rock
stand along both sides of a
walkway. Although in a ruined state, a large chamber with front and
rear doors
and windows on two sides can be observed on the site. According to
inscriptions, historians have concluded that the channel is a close
relation to
Wat Phou Champasack |
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