Wat Phu

Wat Phu, a World Heritage-listed temple ruins with roots dating back to the 5th century, offers history, art, and picturesque views. The mountaintop Khmer Hindu site provides spectacular views of the Mekong River and the surrounding countryside.

The ancient temple was built in the fifth century but was later destroyed; the current construction was built in the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth centuries. Wat Phu is modest in comparison to the gigantic Angkor monuments in Cambodia, but it is older, having been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

The site's hilltop elevation provides spectacular views of the surrounding land and the Mekong River. This landscape was designed at the turn of the millennium to depict the Hindu concept of the link between nature and humanity. The site, like other significant Khmer buildings in Southeast Asia, was built using laterite, sandstone, and bricks. The site has a strong sense of craftsmanship and heritage. The extraordinary craftsmanship involved within the destroyed Khmer temple complex, particularly the spectacular carvings that grace the walls, will astound visitors.

Take note of the elaborate lintels, a cliff face Buddha footprint, and stones carved to represent elephants and crocodiles visible in the architecture and interior. As you explore the complex, you will come across a natural spring that is said to generate holy water. Wat Phu is open all year and may be reached by land or by boat along the Mekong River from Pakse.

Address: Champasak District, Champasak Town Laos