Pak Ou Caves
ຖ້ຳປາກອູ
Two tiers of caves in the limestone cliffs where the Mekong meets the Nam Ou, packed with thousands of Buddha images left by worshippers. The boat ride there is part of the experience.
The Pak Ou Caves are cut into limestone cliffs on the east bank of the Mekong, about 25 kilometers north of the old town, where the Nam Ou flows into the Mekong. There are two caves. The lower cave, Tham Ting, sits right by the river and is well lit, with hundreds of wooden and bronze Buddha images left by worshippers over the centuries, reportedly more than 4,000 in total. The upper cave, Tham Theung, requires climbing about 200 more steps, and the interior is pitch-dark, so bring a flashlight or rent one. Admission is 30,000 kip (about 10 yuan). The boat is the recommended way to travel. Slow boats leave from the Mekong pier in the old town, taking about 2 hours upstream and about 1.5 hours on the return. Shared boats cost about 80,000 to 100,000 kip per person, or 400,000 to 500,000 kip for a private boat. Boats usually stop at Ban Xang Hai, known as the 'Whisky Village,' where you can see Lao rice whisky being made and cloth being woven. You are not obliged to buy anything. Alternatively, you can take a tuk-tuk overland to the village of Pak Ou on the opposite bank and cross the river from there, which takes about an hour. This saves time but skips the river journey. It is best to set off in the morning and return in the afternoon, when the Mekong banks are at their most beautiful. Wear non-slip shoes, as the cave steps can be slippery. The caves are a sacred site, so do not touch the Buddha images.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Ban Xang Hai (Whisky Village)
- Wat Long Khoun
- Wat Chomphet
- Wat Xieng Thong
- Nam Khan Bamboo Bridge
- Wat Sensoukharam (Wat Sene)
- Tak Bat Alms Giving Ceremony
- Wat Siphoutthabath