Wat Phou

Wat Phou OverviewLocated at the base of mount Phu Kao on the West bank of Mekong River, 10 kilometers from Champasak, the UNESCO World Heritage-designated in 2002 Wat Phu (meaning ‘mountain temple’) built under the Khmer Empire is a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex and thought to be one of the oldest archaeological sites in Laos. The unique structure of this ruined Khmer temple complex, in which the elements lead to a shrine where a linga was bathed in water from a mountain spring, demonstrates the dominance and religious commitment of the Khmer Empire.What to see and what to do in Wat Phou?Stretching 1400m up to the lower slopes of the Phu Pasak range, the ancient Khmer religious complex of Wat Phou is the highlight of any visits to this area. Spend at least several hours going around, visiting a small but well kept and informative museum on site, enjoying a very mystical atmosphere created by the tumbledown pavilions, ornate Shiva-lingam sanctuary and crocodile stone; to have the place almost to yourself, the best time to go must be early mornings. To this day to locals, the water is still believed to have special powers and people from all over Laos make the pilgrimage and perform Buddhist ceremonies here. Other stunning destinations to visit are the nearby Phou Passak, whose peak is shaped like a lingam or Shiva phallus; these Khmer monuments like Muang Tomo and Oum Moung, which are less accessible than Wat Phou; Don Deng – an island in the Mekong just across from Champasak town; only accessible by boat; the area having the remains of an ancient Khmer stone temple on Mount Phou Asa; the Mekong River at the most southwestern tip of Laos, along the Cambodian border as well as the upper platform of the temple, which offers a magnificent overview of the Mekong plain. What to eat and drink in Wat Phou?Instead of looking for any nightlife here, you should get a Beer Lao at any number of places. What can be more amazing than sipping a cool beer while overlooking the gorgeous Mekong? After a long day visiting, you can have a meal at a number of restaurants and any guesthouses in Champasak town or simply grab something delicious yet reasonable from one of the many food vendors lining the road to Wat Phou.When to visit Wat Phou?In general, the dry season from November to February, when the temperatures are pretty cool, is thought to be the most favorable time to visit. However, as it does get a wee chilly, make sure to bring warm clothes with you. Beginning in May and ending in October, the rainy season can create problems on the roads in the area but is such a perfect time of the year to see everything lush and green. The flowers blooming in the complex in April and May making the site incredibly spectacular are well worth your effort to overcome a bit uncomfortable travel with muddy roads and land leeches. With the temperatures reaching 40ºC or even higher, making the climb up to the temple less than enjoyable, the hot season from March to May is not an ideal time to go. For festival lovers, the best time to visit should be the Makha Bucha day, during the full moon of the 3rd lunar month – the day of the annual Wat Phou festival, when they can bring offerings to the Wat Phou temple to pay respect to the Buddha.