District in Champasak province, Laos
Photo: Ondřej Žváček, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Champasak City is the capital of Champasak province in Laos. The main attractions are the ruins of Wat Phu, located 8 km southwest of the city.
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ວັດພູ
A ruined Khmer-Hindu temple complex with Champa influences. One of the oldest places of worship in Southeast Asia. Centred on a sacred spring, the first megalithic stone structures had been built probably as early as the second century BCE, consisting of two stone cells, a carving of a crocodile, serpent stairs, and several offering platforms. One of the first pre-Angkor brick buildings onsite was erected in the early 7th century and became the focus of all consequent building activities. Most of the other surviving buildings date from the Angkor period, in the 11th—13th centuries.
Coconut oil massages on the riverbank.
A social enterprise providing education, including in English. Similar to Big Brother Mouse in Luang Prabang. Always in need of supplies and volunteers. Drop by! Opposite the check-in restaurant, on the same block as Khamphouy Guest House.
Shadow Puppet Theatre
Shadow puppets show on Tuesday and Friday at 8:15pm. 1h15 show for 100.000kip/$5 per adult (free for kids). The story of Ramayana is told in Lao with traditional music played live. The movie Chang is played on Wednesday and Saturday with the soundtrack played live by the musicians. 8:15pm, 1h15 movie for 100.000kip per adult. Some subtitles in English. 📍 Situated next to the tourism office in Champasak, Laos. Plenty of parking space, guesthouses and restaurants near (book/visit before the show as Champasak sleeps early) On from November 2024 to February 2025 during the high season.
Boutique hotel with 14 renovated rooms (suites, duplex suites and garden rooms) in a restored century-old Chinese trading house. Its restaurant Soum Noum serves Lao and Mediterranean cuisine; sala terrace overlooking the Mekong; bicycles and a travel desk for Wat Phou and Bolaven Plateau excursions.
By bus
Champasak lies at a distance of 28 km from Pakse. The new road (built 2017) has reduced the travel time between the two cities to less than one hour.8156) to Champasak.
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Pakse · International · PKZ
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