Tham Pha Chan

Central Laos

Tham Pha Chan has an entrance 60m high and about 100m wide. A stream runs about 600m through a limestone karst and in the dry season it's possible to walk to the far side. At its western end there is a sandalwood Buddha image about 15m above the ground, hence the cave's name.

Not far from Tham Pha Chan is the Nam Don Resurgence (ຂຸນນ້ຳໂດມ), a cave where the Nam Don (Don River) emerges from the ground. It's quite a physical marvel to see the water coming up and out from the cave, and the lagoon that sits at the bottom of the tall limestone karst is a beautiful swimming spot.

Unfortunately, both are accessed via a rough road that runs 20km from the junction with Rte 13. Go by motorbike or tuk-tuk, or arrange an English-speaking guide through Tha Khaek's Tourist Information Centre.

Suggest an edit to this attraction

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Tham Xieng Liap
6.23 MILES
Turning off Rte 12 at Km 14 (before a bridge) you'll come across a sign pointing to this cave. Follow the dirt track south for about 400m near the village…
Ho Chi Minh House
13.72 MILES
The best of the three Ho Chi Minh–related attractions in Ban Na Chok village, this is a replica of the simple wooden house where 'Uncle Ho' sometimes…
Former Governor's Residence Museum
10.66 MILES
Museum Juan, as it's also known, is on the riverfront and fills a beautiful restored 1925 mansion with photos of old Nakhon Phanom, many labelled in…
Tham Pa Seuam
4.72 MILES
A mini Tham Kong Lor, the river cave of Tham Pa Seuam runs for 3km, spanning some impressive stalactites and stalagmites. It's conveniently only 15km from…
Nam Theun 2 Visitors Centre
20.44 MILES
The Nam Theun 2 Visitors Centre is set in a traditional Luang Prabang–style house, which looks a touch out of place in the middle of nowhere. It has a…
Mekong Walking Street
11.03 MILES
This street market has little in the way of arts and crafts, but there's plenty of souvenirs and, of course, lots of food. The historic buildings give it…
Khoun Kong Leng
14.45 MILES
Nestled amid the limestone karsts of the Phu Hin Bun NPA is Evening Gong Lake. The luminescent green waters spring from a subterranean river that filters…
Tham Pa Fa
4.65 MILES
When Mr Bun Nong used a vine to scramble up a sheer 200m-high cliff in 2004, he discovered a narrow cave mouth and was greeted by 229 bronze Buddha images…

View more attractions

Nearby Central Laos attractions

1. Tham Pa Fa

4.65 MILES

When Mr Bun Nong used a vine to scramble up a sheer 200m-high cliff in 2004, he discovered a narrow cave mouth and was greeted by 229 bronze Buddha images…

2. Tham Pa Seuam

4.72 MILES

A mini Tham Kong Lor, the river cave of Tham Pa Seuam runs for 3km, spanning some impressive stalactites and stalagmites. It's conveniently only 15km from…

3. Tham Xieng Liap

6.23 MILES

Turning off Rte 12 at Km 14 (before a bridge) you'll come across a sign pointing to this cave. Follow the dirt track south for about 400m near the village…

4. Tham Xang

7.56 MILES

Famous for its stalagmite ‘elephant head’, which is found along a small passage behind the large golden Buddha, this is one of the closest caves to Tha…

5. Tham Nang Aen

8 MILES

Tham Nang Aen, about 18km from Tha Khaek, has been disfigured by paint, lights, sculptures and other development. You can probably give it a miss.

6. Former Governor's Residence Museum

10.66 MILES

Museum Juan, as it's also known, is on the riverfront and fills a beautiful restored 1925 mansion with photos of old Nakhon Phanom, many labelled in…

7. Mekong Walking Street

11.03 MILES

This street market has little in the way of arts and crafts, but there's plenty of souvenirs and, of course, lots of food. The historic buildings give it…

8. Clock Tower

11.06 MILES

This clock tower stands prominently in the centre of town.

View more attractions