Introducing Champasak
It’s hard to imagine Champasak as a seat of royalty, but until only 30 years ago it was just that. These days the town is serenely quiet, the fountain circle in the middle of the main street alluding to a grandeur long gone. The remaining French colonial-era buildings, including one that once belonged to Chao Boun Oum na Champasak and another to his father Chao Ratsadanai, share space with traditional Lao wooden houses. The few vehicles that venture down the narrow main street share it with buffaloes and cows which seem relaxed even by Lao standards – it’s easy to spend a couple of days here.
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The Angkor-period ruins of Wat Phu Champasak lie 8km southwest of town and are the main attraction; Champasak has the only accommodation in the immediate vicinity of Wat Phu. The town also acts as a jumping off point for Don Daeng.
Just about everything in Champasak is spread along the one riverside street, either side of the fountain circle.
Last updated: Oct 2, 2008
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Best use of time in Laos
by Winterhawk 10 August 2011
With 2 weeks I'd skip Si Phan Dong and Pakse and focus more on central/northern Lao. - We spent 5 days in Si Phan Dong and its a little…
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RE: trip to southern laos - travel route
by ChrisLaub 02 August 2011
I agree with everyone else. Aside from resting when you're dead tired, don't bother spending time in Pakse or Champasak, there's nothing…
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RE: Southern Laos
by Fieldgate 20 July 2011
Three nights in Champasak would be too much, imo. Actually, you can make it a day trip from Pakse. There are busses, albeit not frequent.…
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