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Laos, Khammouane Province
Project gen by hotsia
Thakhek Travel Guide - Thakhek, opposite Nakhon Phanom, Khammouane Province. Khammouane is a lesser-known province. Its capital is Thakhek city, located opposite Nakhon Phanom province. It is the site of the third Mekong River bridge between Thailand and Laos. Most attractions in Khammouane are caves, with the world-famous Kong Lor Cave being very large, stretching 7 kilometers. Khammouane also has newly discovered caves like Pha Pha Cave or Buddha Cave.
These caves are located on high cliffs and contain hundreds of ancient Buddha statues made of gold, silver, and wood. Other caves include Chiang Rieb Cave, Nang Aen Cave, and Phra In Cave. In Thakhek city, there is also a massive ancient giant wall made of stone, which locals say was built by giants from the dinosaur era. This giant wall is sure to become famous in the future. No one knows its origin, but it is definitely a strange and incredible tourist attraction. Check more info here.
Other lesser-known attractions include the Exploding Boat located in Borikhamsai province but near Khammouane, sharing the same travel route. Not only caves are interesting; Bualapha city, a former battlefield, still has tanks parked in people's yards and war vehicles. Few visit this city due to its distance. I heard about it from locals and plan to visit someday. Mr.Hotsia spent several days in Khammouane, staying at Ban Nahin.
At Thakhek, I was impressed by the night view of Nakhon Phanom province seen from the Thakhek side. It is beautiful with temples lit up at night. There is no curfew in Thakhek city. In southern Laos, like Pakse, you must return before 11 PM, and in Savannakhet, night tours are restricted. But in Thakhek, there is no curfew, though shops close at midnight. I recommend staying at Thakhek Travel Lodge, which Lonely Planet praises. Rooms start at 200 baht, popular with foreigners.
Motorbikes are available for rent here, with maps provided for touring, just like my trip. One day is enough to see everything. Follow my route: Nang Aen Cave, Chiang Liap, Tha Farang, Buddha Cave, and finish at the Giant Wall. (See Thakhek city travel map) Khammouane is worth visiting with many uniquely shaped limestone mountains. Just driving through the surrounding limestone ranges is worthwhile. Enjoy your trip, mr.hotsia
mr.hotsia recommends hotels in Thakhek city for convenient travel to Pha Pha or Buddha Cave and the Exploding Boat on the Ton River. Map location of Khammouane province in Laos. Image from Wiki: 17°57'22.133"N, 104°45'33.275"E. View location on Earth. Atmosphere inside Kong Lor Cave: 17°27'13.859"N, 104°46'48.755"E. Giant Wall from Funan era (uncertain). It's hard to believe humans built it: 17°27'13.842"N, 104°46'50.339"E. Khammouane women wear this traditional outfit on Buddhist holy days.
17°21'3.479"N, 104°48'30.78"E Phra That Si Khottabong, twin stupa of Phra That Phanom, 45 km apart. Ban Nahin is 18°1'3.006"N, 104°41'18.335"E, near Kong Lor Cave 17°26'39.719"N, 104°51'37.355"E, 17°27'5.387"N, 104°54'11.795"E, 17°27'29.021"N, 104°54'32.375"E. Tha Farang, Khammouane 17°26'39.557"N, 104°56'53.37"E, 17°27'42.876"N, 104°55'2.922"E. Limestone mountains in Khammouane 17°27'24.66"N, 104°54'22.127"E.
17°28'35.496"N, 104°51'11.069"E Golden Buddha Cave or Pha Pha Cave. 17°27'24.839"N, 104°46'34.284"E, 17°27'13.781"N, 104°46'50.646"E. Khammouane women making merit near the Giant Wall 17°23'41.256"N, 104°48'11.519"E. Evening view of Nakhon Phanom city 17°23'40.991"N, 104°48'12.101"E. Night food market area in Thakhek 17°23'50.411"N, 104°49'31.29"E. Reception staff at Thakhek Travel Lodge. Phra That Si Khottabong. Travel in Khammouane, Thakhek, rent motorbikes to explore caves.
Nightlife in Thakhek from 200 baht upwards. Popular with foreigners. WIFI available. Khammouane Province is located in central Laos, covering approximately 16,315 square kilometers with a population of about 251,000 (1991 data). It consists of 6 main towns: Thakhek, Nong Bok, Hinboun, Mahachai, Yommarat, and Bualapha, inhabited by various ethnic groups living together. It borders Borikhamsai Province, Savannakhet Province, Thailand, and
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Khammouane is a fertile area rich in natural resources and cultural arts, a heritage passed down since ancient times. The past is much like the present, especially on the full moon day of the third lunar month each year.
Locals warmly welcome visitors who come to make merit and pay respects at Phra That Si Khottabong annually with friendly hospitality, leaving a lasting impression on visitors. The stupa is not far from Thakhek city; traveling south along the route to Nong Bok for about 6 kilometers leads to Phra That Si Khottabong. This stupa is an important religious monument in Laos, built during the Si Khottabong era.
It was constructed as a monument to King Si Khottabong of Nakhon Si Khottabura, as this place once housed the Buddha's relics of the four Buddhas: Kakusandha, Konagamana, Kassapa, and Gotama. Phra That Si Khottabong was built by King Sumintaraj or Sumitta Thammavongsa Atiraj of the Si Khottabong Kingdom (around the 6th century). At that time, revered monks traveled to spread Buddhism in the kingdom.
Following the monks' advice, King Sumintaraj built Phra That Si Khottabong to honor King Si Khottabong and enshrined the Buddha relics here. Besides its rich cultural heritage, the land is naturally beautiful with many interesting tourist spots for both Lao and foreign visitors, such as Tha Farang, Chiang Liap Cave, Phra Ban Cave, Nang Aen Cave, and more. Tourist attractions in Khammouane Province.
Khammouane Province Travel Map, Travel Routes Map of Khammouane, Khammouane City Map, Central Khammouane Map