No Crowds Here…Vat Phou UNESCO Temple Complex in Southern Laos

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UNESCO World Heritage hawks can avoid the crowds at other landmark sites with a visit to 10th-century pre-Angkor Vat Phou temple complex in Southern Laos’ Champasak Province.  

Vat PhouClick on photo to link to Google Map of Vat Phou.

The visitor entrance to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site can be viewed as the exit of the 1,400-metre-long, six-tiered canal system, based on a small water tap at the base of Phou Kao Mountain. This leads to 1,000-year-old massive reservoirs providing water to sprout an ancient civilization.

Vat PhouWater from Phou Khao Mountain spawned the Vat Phou complex and ancient civilization.

The dripping water also marks the start of a geometric pattern of temples and shrines along a perfect east-west axis to the Mekong. UNESCO reports say this linear layout differs from most pre-Angkor temples, which are concentric. However, some archaeologists think this pattern reflects “the conscious use of the natural terrain.”

Vat PhouOne of the “Baray” (reservoirs) at the Vat Phou entrance

The drive to Vat Phou from Pakse, Champasak Province’s capital, takes about 50 minutes. The entrance is bordered by a pair of 200 x 600-metre baray (reservoirs), built in the 10th century.  

Vat PhouThe ceremonial promenade leading to the first of six terraces

Next comes a ceremonial promenade, flanked by carved stone pillars, to guide visitors to the first of the six terraces, and a noticeable lack of a huge crowd to add a “We’re alone here” touch.

Vat PhouSizeable 11th century Halls straddle the walkway.

Two almost identical stone “Halls” dating to the 11th century border the start of the first-level walkway. These sizeable structures mirror each other on either side of the walkway, and are exactly parallel to the main axis. They open onto a porch with intricately engraved doorways, and may have been small palaces or temples. The mystery remains.

Vat PhouThis Hindu building could have been the gateway to the ancient road to Angkor.

A pillar-lined, 130-metre-long promenade starts to rise to the second tier, where Nandi Hall presents another mystery. It’s a small Hindu-style sandstone building dating to the mid-11th century, but its purpose is not known. Some historians speculate that it may be the gateway to the ancient road to Angkor. 

Vat PhouSteps and a walkway lead to a small stone pavilion.

A set of steps  reaches the third level and a short walkway to a small stone pavilion greets visitors. Then, the climbing turns a bit tougher with a series of steep stone stairways.

Vat PhouThe stone ramp to the 4th terrace

First comes a 75-metre-long ramp that gradually rises with the natural terrain to reach the fourth terrace.

Vat Phou​The view overlooking the Vat Phou complex

Visitors may want to grab something to drink at this viewpoint, as the stairs get steeper. A flight of stone steps leads to the fifth terrace that ends at a stone-paved landing with Naga serpent balustrades marking the axis.

Vat PhouThe sixth and final tier

From here, seven steep, 11-step staircases end at the sixth and final tier about 75 metres above the lower boray.

Vat PhouThe Sanctuary at the top

Known as Phou Kao Sanctuary, the terrace is home to a sanctuary dedicated to Shiva at the foot of an overhanging cliff. It is here that visitors reach the target…the freshwater spring marking the start of the axis…and the turnaround point for an untouristed UNESCO experience.

Vat PhouThe source of a civilization’s water

Fast Facts: Vat Phou UNESCO World Heritage Landscape

  • The heritage landscape and site include the 5th-century Shrestapura City.
  • The layout represents the Hindu relationship between nature and humans.
  • The city’s main axis runs about 10 km from the Mekong to the 1,416-metre-high Phou Kao Mountain.
  • The civilization, centred at Vat Phou, stood strong until the 15th century, and is closely associated with the Khmer Empire and Angkor Wat.
  • According to Sanskrit inscriptions, Phou Kao Mountain was originally named Lingaparvata by the ancient Khmer residents. The carvings were found just south of Champasak Town, and date to the 5th century.
  • A Chinese document from 589 AD refers to a temple dedicated to Shiva on top of Phou Kao Mountain.
  • Other inscriptions from the 7th to 12th centuries found near Vat Phou and in Cambodia confirm the “cult of Lingaparvata”.

Learn more about Champasak’s heritage sites.

Getting to Vat Phou from Pakse

The 43-km drive in a van from Pakse to Vat Phou takes less than one hour. The ride crosses the Mekong River Bridge from Pakse on Route 16 West. The newly paved toll road along the Mekong continues to Champasak Town and on to Wat Muang Kao and the right-hand turn to the Vat Phou entrance and parking area, where electric shuttles await to take visitors to the site. Transportation providers and travel agents in Pakse offer transportation in vans and cars.

Vat PhouFor a Google Map, click on the photo.

Tourism & Hospitality Businesses in Pakse Town

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Travel Agents & Transportation

Tourism & Hospitality Businesses in Champasak Town

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How to Get to Pakse

*Note: Schedules and frequencies are constantly changing. Please directly contact the transportation providers for the most current schedule. The schedules/frequencies below are as of 1 July 2022.

Flights from Vientiane

Lao Airlines: One daily flight in the morning

Lao Skyway: Three flights per week in the morning (Tues, Thurs, Sat)

 

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