Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SI PHAN DON
In Laos's deepest south, just above the
border with Cambodia, the muddy
stream of the Mekong is carved into a
14km-wide web of rivulets, creating a
landlocked archipelago ripe for
exploration. Known as
Si Phan Don
, or
“Four housand Islands”, this labyrinth
of islets, rocks and sandbars has acted as
a kind of bell jar, preserving traditional
southern-lowland Lao culture from
outside influences. Local life unravels
slowly and peacefully: fishermen head
out at sunset silhouetted against the sky's
colourful backdrop and cast their nets
out across the water, and children play
and run about the villages while their
parents and grandparents sit and watch
the world go by. he archipelago is
home to rare flora and fauna, including
a species of
freshwater dolphin
.
Lingaparvata. Foreign visitors should
resist the temptation to wash with this
water, which would be akin to having a
bath in the baptismal font.
If you follow the base of the cliff in a
northerly direction, a bit of sleuthing
will lead you to the enigmatic
crocodile stone
that may have been used
as an altar for pre-Angkor-period
human sacrifices.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Tuk-tuks
from Champasak can be hired for the 8km
journey to Wat Phou. The drivers charge around 80,000K
for up to three passengers, and will wait for you while you
visit the ruins. A much more interesting approach to the
ruins is by bike - bikes can be rented from a number of
places along Champasak's main road (15,000K) - the route
is flat and straightforward (just follow the road south
through town until you reach Wat Phou, at the end of
the road).
5
Pakse & Champasak
SI PHAN DON
Wat Houa Khong
Ban Dong
Ban
Houa
Khong
Don
Koy
Don
Het
N
Don Hi
Nyai
Don
Khong
Wat Phou Khao Kaew
Muang Khong
Ban Hat Xai Khoun
Don
Khamao
Ban
Na
Muang Sen
Ban Nakhok
LAOS
Wat Silananthalangsy
Ban Siw
Wat
Thephasourin
Ban Hang Khon
Don
Long
Don
Som
Don
Loppadi
Nakasang
CAMBODIA
Don
Ta o
Ban Hua Det
Don
Det
Don
Xang
Ban Khon
Khon
Phapheng
Falls
Don
Khon
Railway
Bridge
Somphamit
Falls
Ban Hang
Khon
Dolphins
0
10
kilometres
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