City: Laos
Top Things to do in Laos
Top Hotels in Laos
Things to do in Laos, Laos: The Best Ancient Ruins
Coordinates: 18°N 105°E / 18°N 105°E / 18; 105
Restaurants in Laos
1. Vat Phou complex Temple - World Heritage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Khmer temple complex dates back to the 10th-14th centuries and offers magnificent views.
Reviewed By stefanblank
It is like Angkor in Cambodia but not so crowded. It is much smaller, but its got a nice atmosphere and a lot to see. An electric shuttle bus brings you to the old buildings. There is a holy spring and a little temple at the top. From there you have a really good view over the whole landscape. Don’t miss the museum, it‘s worth a visit.
2. Wat Phu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 802 reviews
The religious complex of Vat Phou, a combination of Khmer architecture and Hindu religion, is located at the foot of Champasak mountains, with the Phou Kao (the sacred mountain with a natural form as a Linga - symbol of Gof Shiva). This complex was built during the first part of the 11th century, with some additions and reconstructions in the 12th and 13th centuries. Some inscriptions belonging to the fifth and sixth century AD do mention a sanctuary built on the hill, together with the foundation of the city, but this building has disappeared and was replaced by the religious complex that we see today. A museum and interpretative room should be visited on the site. Vat Phou is on the list of Unesco World Heritage since 2001. The archeological restauration/conservation of the site is managed by Vat Phou office. The tourism management is managed by Yingchokchai Company, which provides to the tourists quality services (shuttle, toilets, handicrafts shop, coffee shop, wifi, parking...).
Reviewed By arnaud_x95 - Brussels, Belgium
If you visited Angkor before Vat Phu, you will certainly be a little disappointed. Nevertheless, the surroundings of the temple are beautiful and the site is much less touristic than Angkor. Go there early in the morning: you will avoid the crowds and take benefit of cooler temperatures to visit the temple. A must do in Laos!
