Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INFORMATION
Tourist information The very well-equipped tourist
o ce, west of the main square (Mon-Fri 8-11.30am &
1.30-4pm; T 041 212755), can help with general
enquiries, but if you want to go trekking make a beeline
for the Eco Guide Unit (see below).
Tours Savannakhet province is packed with options for
environmentally sensitive trekking, cycling and wildlife
tours - many of them still in their infancy. Staff at the Eco
Guide Unit on Latsaphanit Road (Mon-Fri 8-11.30am &
1.30-4pm; T 041 214203; W savannakhet-trekking.com)
can offer advice on what's available and find you an
English-speaking guide.
5
INTO THAILAND:
SAVANNAKHET TO
MUKDAHAN
Passenger ferries still operate between
Savannakhet and Mukdahan in Thailand,
but these are for locals only; tourists
crossing into Thailand must use the
1.6km-long Friendship Bridge II ,
5km north of Savannakhet, which has
connected the two cities since 2007.
Buses bound for Mukdahan leave
Savannakhet's main bus terminal (12 daily;
14,000K), stopping at Thai immigration,
where visas on arrival are available. The
40min bus ride ends at Mukdahan's
main bus station, a short ride from the
town centre.
CITY TRANSPORT
Tuk-tuks Savannakhet is fairly spread out, so you may
find that tuk-tuks are a better idea than trying to walk
the long blocks outside the old quarter. Expect to pay
10,000K for short distances within the centre.
Bicycle rental Bicycles can be rented at Leena Guesthouse
(see below) for 10,000K/day.
That Ing Hang
Outside of town is a much-revered
Buddhist stupa, That Ing Hang (daily
8am-6pm; 5000K), which can be
reached by bicycle, motorbike or tuk-tuk.
To get there, follow Route 9 north for
12km, where a sign points to the right;
follow this road for another 3.5km. he
stuccowork that covers the stupa is crude
yet appealing, especially the whimsical
rosettes which dot the uppermost spire.
Off to one side of the stupa stands an
amusing sandstone sculpture of a lion,
grinning like a Cheshire cat, which could
only have been hauled here from one of
the Khmer ruins downriver. he stupa is
best visited during its annual festival in
February when thousands make the
pilgrimage here.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By air The airport is on the southeastern side of the town,
off Makhaveha Road a few blocks from the centre, with
regular Lao Airlines ( T 041 212140, W laoairlines.com)
flights connecting Savannakhet with Vientiane (1hr) and
Pakse (30min).
By bus Most buses o oad at the bus station on the north
side of the town, with tuk-tuks on hand to make the 2km
run into the city centre (10,000K).
Destinations Attapeu (2 daily; 10hr); Dansavanh/Lao Bao
(3 daily; 6hr); Da Nang (daily; 13hr); Dong Ha, Vietnam
(daily; 7hr); Don Khong, for Si Phan Don (daily; 7hr); Hué,
Vietnam (daily; 13hr); Pakse (9 daily; 5hr); Thakhek (at
least 7 daily; 8hr); Vientiane (8 daily; 8-9hr); Xekong
(daily; 5hr).
ACCOMMODATION
The old French quarter is the most atmospheric part of
town to stay in. Many hotels in Savannakhet have their
own travel agencies that can organize tours of the Ho Chi
Minh Trail (see opposite).
Chanmany 2 East of the market, just off Chaimuang Rd
T 041 213992. Not really geared towards Western
backpackers, but a great budget choice all the same, with
fresh en-suite doubles in two qu iet, pea ch-coloured
buildings. No English spoken. Double 60,000K
Leena Guesthouse Head 200m east along Chao Kim Rd,
off Latsavongseuk Rd, and follow the signs T 041 212404.
Two worn but comfortable buildings in a quiet residential
area, offering en-suite rooms, some with a/c, hot water
and TV. There's a huge wat and a Chinese temple nearby.
Double 50,000K
Savanbanhao Senna Rd, four blocks north of the church
T 041 212202. A friendly hotel with rooms set in four
TREAT YOURSELF
Savan Vegas T 041 252200, W savanvegas
.com. Plans to transform Savannakhet into
the new “Lao Vegas” seem not to have
materialized, which means this vast place
just south of the airport remains the only
casino on The Strip. At 400,000K per night,
rooms here are out of most backpackers'
reach, but non-guests are welcome to try
their luck at the tables and slots (Thai baht
only), which makes for a fun - if slightly
surreal - night out.
 
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