South East Asian Trips

One of the most visited provinces of Laos; Chamapsak has a population of around 50,000 and is formed by Pakse, the Bolaven Plateau, Paksong, Champasak and Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands). Bordering Thailand and Cambodia, Pakse sits at the confluence of the Mekong and is the province's capital, as a result of the Lao-Japanese Bridge spanning the Mekong, the town has quickly grown as an area of trading importance and is a popular tourist destination.

The Mekong River flows past the ancient Khmer religious compound at Wat Phu Champsak, before dispersing at Four Thousand Islands, an area of utter tranquility. The Bolaven Plateau is renowned for its production of coffee, rattan, fruit and cardamom, while the vast number of wats (temples) across the terrain make for interesting viewing.

The Champasak cultural landscape, including the Wat Phu Temple compound, is a well-preserved planned landscape more than 1,000 years old. It was shaped to express the Hindu belief of the relationship between nature and humanity, using an axis from mountain top to river bank to lay out a geometric pattern of temples, shrines and waterworks extending over some 10 km.

Pakse

Founded by the French in 1905, much of the town's colonial heritage was obliterated during the second Indochinese War. The capital of the Champasak Province retains the lethargic atmosphere Laos has become so renowned and popular for. There are around 20 Wats within the area of which Wat Luang and Wat Thai Fam are the biggest.

Wat Luang features a monastic school and a thaat containing the ashes of the former Lao Prime Minister. Wat Thai Fam is situated by the Champasak Palace Hotel and is set around spacious grounds, making it a prime site for temple festivals. The temple also houses a small Buddha imprint. The Champasak Historical Heritage Museum near the Hotel Residence du Champa, records the history of the province through artefacts, photography and written documents.

Bolaven Plateau

Situated on the north east of Champasak province the plateau covers parts of Salavan, Attapeu and Sekong provinces. One of the most heavily bombed areas during the Indochina War, Bolaven Plateau is famous for its fertile plains, tribal villages, great scenery, unexplored corners and being home to some of Southeast Asia's most spectacular waterfalls- Tadfane and Dong Hua Sao.

This is located not too far from Pakse at the height of 1000 meters above sea level. The plateau is known for its rich fertile farmland and is now covered by coffee and cardamom plantations. its upland position provides cool breeze, an excellent place escape from the heat of the lowland. Today the plateau is inhabited by a colorful mix of ethnic groups. Tat Lo a popular resort, well worth a visit is also located on Boloven Plateau.

The Bolaven Plateau is a fertile area where Laven tribespeople grow some of the most highly-regarded coffee in the world. Fruit, cardamom and rattan are also grown here. The plateau is a centre of Mon-Khmer culture, with Alak, Katu, Ta-oy and Suay villages in the area. Katu and Alak groups live in circles of thatched houses and are known for their yearly buffalo sacrifice, the centrepiece of some pretty spectacular ceremonies. Alak, Katu and Lawae women traditionally tattooed their faces, but this custom is dying out. The plateau also has some lovely waterfalls: Tat Lo plunges into a large pool which is gorgeous for swimming.

High above the Mekong River Valley, the natural citadel of the Bolaven Plateau is a cool escape from the oppressive heat below. Coffee and tea are the main crops: Be sure to sample the local varieties. Rivers run off the high plateau in all directions and then plunge from dense forests along the escarpment in a series of spectacular waterfalls, including Tad Fan, a 400-foot drop. There are few specific sights: Simply explore the countryside and tiny ethnic-minority villages.

Slightly off the beaten track, the area is less popular than say Si Phan Don but is perfect for those who want the opportunity to rent a bike and really get their teeth into some untamed travel. You can enjoy scenic rides across forests, coffee and tea plantations; stop in hill-tribe villages to buy hand-woven textiles or take an elephant ride. Push and dirt bikes can be rented from most places in Pakse.

Interested in Bolaven Plateau? Read about a full day excursion at Bolaven Plateau...

Paksong

The capital of coffee production in Laos, has a few places to stay and is usually visited on an over night trip from Pakse. The main attraction of the area is the Tat Lo Waterfall which has a large pool at the bottom suitable for swimming.

Although this is not the most magnificent of Laos waterfalls it remains popular with visitors due the lethargic atmosphere that surrounds the area. From Tad Loa, having a bike makes it easier to reach Tad Suong - the most impressive of the waterfalls.

Champasak

Home to Wat Phou, this Wat is the most important attraction of South Laos; although it is not Laotian in origin, it was in fact built by the Khmer with obvious comparisons to Siem Reap's Angkor Wat due to their similar architectural features and surrounding jungle overgrowth, albeit on a smaller scale. The mystical atmosphere is enhanced by the fact that the Wat has gone unused for centuries due to it being built as a Hindu, not a Buddhist temple.

Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, the ruins are situated at the base of Mount Phu Phasak and are separated into three main levels. South of Wat Phou are three smaller archeological sites that are in poorer condition but interestingly stand by an ancient route that once linked Wat Phu Champak with Cambodia's Angkor Wat, Siem Reap.

Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Island)

According to some sources the Chinese Haw found this temple too beautiful to destroy it. Situated next to the Royal Palace Museum, the gilded facade and relief panels tell the story of the highest incarnation of the Buddha Vessentara. A good choice to follow the Royal Palace Museum.