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Laos >> Champasak Travel Guides
Champasak
Champasak Province is the southern most province in Laos, and borders Thailand and Cambodia. The main attractions of the province are Wat Phu Champasak, Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands), and the Bolaven Plateau.
The history of Champasak Province dates back to the Funan and Chenla civilizations from the 1st century AD to the 9th century AD. It then became part of the Khmer Angkor Empire in the 10th and 13th centuries, but with the decline of the Angkor Empire, it became part of the Lao Lan Xang Kingdom. In the 18th century with the break-up of the Lan Xang Kingdom, it became the independent kingdom of Champasak. However, the independent kingdoms of Laos were weak and rather short-lived, and Champasak had only three kings during that period.
Pakse The capital of Champasak Province, Pakse, is situated at the convergence of the Mekong and Se Don rivers, and was first developed by the French as an administrative town. It is a rather pleasant and sleepy town, with a few remaining French Colonial buildings. The river fronts along the Mekong and Se Don rivers are completely undeveloped except for some food and drink places. It does have a huge market called Talat Dao Heung, and it is more like a market you would expect to find in big city, rather than in a small town.
There is not a lot to see and do in Pakse, but there is a Historical Heritage Museum, and two wats that my be of interest.
Pakse’s main claim to fame is that it is on the way to almost everywhere in southern Laos, and whether you are going to or from Cambodia, Thailand, or the Bolaven Plateau, you will either go through, or stay in Paxse.
Champasak Town This used to be the seat of the Champasak Kingdom, until about 35 years ago. But it seems it was a lot longer ago than that now. Now the town is peacefully quiet, and the only reminders of a splendor long gone, is the fountain traffic circle in the main street, and the two remaining French colonial style royal residences of Chao Boun Oum na Champasak, and his father Chao Ratsadanai. There is little traffic on the streets these days, and the cows have it pretty much to themselves.
Across the Mekong from Champasak is the island of Don Daeng. Village life on the island hasn’t changed in decades, and is still the traditional Mekong island lifestyle. There isn’t much to see on the island, and the real reason for going is to relax and take in the welcoming and easy-going life style.
Note on Names: Lao people tend to call the capital city of a province by the name of the province, regardless of the real name of the capital. Hence, they will say Champasak when they are really talking about Pakse. You will even see on some maps, Pakse labeled as Champasak. Do not be confused.
Wat Phu Champasak The main reason people come to Champasak now is to visit Wat Phu Champasak. These Angkor-period ruins are a few kilometers southwest of town, and are the best Khmer ruins outside Cambodia. This archeological site is the remains of a civilization that flourished about 1500 years ago, and was the capital of the Mon-Khmer Chenla Kingdom. While it is much smaller than other Khmer-Angkor sites in Cambodia, the layout is uniquely different. It was a place of worship from the 5th century AD to the late Angkorian period, and at its peak, the temple and the nearby ancient city were an important political and economic center of the region. It was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
There is a Wat Phu Festival, on the full moon of the third lunar month (usually early February), and there are elephant races, traditional music and dance.
Thai Border Crossing
The busy border crossing which is some distance from Pakse, is Vang Tao on the Laos side, and Chong Mek on the Thai side. There are taxis to the border from Talat Dao Heung in Pakse, but the most convenient way is to take the Thai-Lao International Bus from Pakse direct to the main bus station at Ubon Ratchathani.
Cambodia
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fronts along the Mekong and Se Don rivers are completely undeveloped except for some food and drink places. It does have a huge market called Talat Dao Heung, and it is more like a market you would expect to find in big city, rather than in a small town. 
much smaller than other Khmer-Angkor sites in Cambodia, the layout is uniquely different. It was a place of worship from the 5th century AD to the late Angkorian period, and at its peak, the temple and the nearby ancient city were an important political and economic center of the region. It was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.