Asia
Laos
Champasak Province
Champasak Town
Places to visit in Champasak Town
Wat Phu
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Wat Phu

See all things to do
See all things to do
Wat Phu
4.5
#1 of 10 things to do in Champasak Town
Ancient RuinsPoints of Interest & Landmarks
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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About
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...).
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Wat Muang Kang Temple
19
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
809 reviews
Excellent
449
Very good
282
Average
58
Poor
13
Terrible
7
SpiceGirl03
Vientiane, Laos58 contributions
A mini Angkor Vat
Aug 2020
It’s a nice walk up to the main site, wonderful view, fresh air, lots of history and architecture. One could only imagine what a great thing that was built 700++ years ago

It’s advisable to visit the museum before going up to the Vat
Written 22 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HouseofRoseWinery
Kelowna, Canada142 contributions
Great ruins and museum if you know what you can expect.
Feb 2020 • Couples
Great ruins and little museum, but know what you are coming for. If you are looking for a complete wat and an easy walk to see it all, you are in the wrong place. The ruins give a nice historic perspective as you go up tier after tier. The small museum ads insight and perspective which was nice. We spent 2.5 hours here, average is 45 min to 2 hours. Sadly we were here in the burning season with smoke and no view others describe. But still very much worth it.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelwithoutmercy
Vientiane, Laos202 contributions
Excellent
Feb 2020
Wat Phu is well worth thetrip from nearby Champasak. We cycled and it was pretty straightforward. The site is not super extensive but was extremely quiet and therefore had a slightly mystical air. Much more like Bagan than over crowded angor wat
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick V
Manosque, France210 contributions
One of the few Unesco world heritage sites in Laos. Don't miss it.
Nov 2019
The buildings are older than Angkor according to our guide. Take your time to explore the site, Do not rush on the dangerous stairs. Plenty of vendors with water. Most of the climb is exposed to the sun, so especially in the summer time the climb can be a challenge. I don't know how may funding Wat Phu receives from UNESCO but I have the impression they have invested it all in the Golf carts which are bringing you from the main entrance to the departure point from the walk. I am stunned that UNESCO is not imposing more safety features on the buildings and especially on the stairs. Those stairs are lethal. It is my conviction that rules, to be enforced by UNESCO, are not the same in all the countries. Nice souvenir shop on the way out.
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve Buckley
London, UK6,302 contributions
Rubbish, Rubbish, Rubbish Everywhere!!
Feb 2020
Together with 25 other Anglo-Thai Society members, my wife and myself visited Wat Phou Temple - a UNESCO World Heritage Site (listed in 2002) some 40/50 Kms away from Pakse where we are staying at the Pakse Hotel (Review to follow).

We were both very much looking forward to the visit but, unfortunately, our visit took place the morning after a 4 day (5-8 February) World Heritage Festival and the whole site was covered in litter and rubbish (mainly plastic bags and bottles). This completely ruined our visit and my strong recommendation to the Authorities is to close the site for several days after any further such Festivals to avoid foreign visitors seeing one of their relatively few UNESCO World Heritage sites resembling a rubbish tip!!

That said, half of our group (the more able bodied - as the 70-80 steps to the principle site are very steep) still visited the many interesting artefacts/relics but even this was spoiled by smoke from a nearby fire!!

All in all, not a completely wasted visit (ie we did manage to tour the impressive Museum) but certainly one that offered much room for improvement!!
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth
Bristol, UK993 contributions
Stairs. Stairs. Stairs.
Feb 2020 • Couples
Not sure what we were looking st as theres no information or signs anywhere. Loads of stairs that are steep, slippery and dangerous only to see another crumbling temple with a buddha in it. Also really quite expensive! Could have missed this out.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
r0landbrunner
Zurich, Switzerland1,815 contributions
steep climbing
Jan 2020
Wat Phou (Phu) is located some 40km south of Pakse. there is a very good road going there along the Mekong (right riverside, crossing the bridge from Pakse). we did it easily by motorbike. once on the site, the entrance fee is 50K Kip p.p. After entering, there is an electric bus bringing you along the pond to the beginning of the site. and from there it goes first flat, then steeper and steeper up, level by level, until reaching the temple itself. it's nothing for the weak hearted or if you are afraid of heigth, but if not, the effort pays off with stunning views and some beautiful constructions, even if in bad stage. all together a wonderful visit, well worth to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeeMoreLiveMore
Singapore, Singapore526 contributions
Beautiful historical place ...
Dec 2019
Wat Phou was the reason why I came to this part of Laos, and I was not disappointed. The rich history of the place and the lovely architecture of the temple made it a worthwhile trip. While there were obvious similarities with the Angkor temples in Cambodia, it was distinct enough that it stood out. The museum has a good array of artefacts and enough English signs to give a good narrative of the place. Note that some rather strenuous climbing is required to reach the main sanctuary.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beatricebrunner
Zug, Switzerland138 contributions
Unique!
Jan 2020
Going there in the morning makes it easier to climb up the steps. What a great athmosphere, remains of buildings and temples from the 5th century and what a view from top of the hill!
Written 24 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dianne P
Airlie Beach, Australia97 contributions
Steeped in History ... and cows!
Jan 2020 • Couples
Advised to get there early, we beat the crowds, however they are nothing like Angkor Wat! There is secure parking for bikes and scooters at 5000 kip per bike.
The entrance offers ample seating, shade and refreshments and a courtesy electric bus takes you to the base of the Quadrants.
Take drinking water and wear good shoes for the hike around the restored ruins and climb the stairs to the top for impressive views, shade and light breezes.
Watch for the budding entrepreneurs as you walk around the well signed sights as you can easily be enticed into an adventurous discovery that one could easily find themselves for the request of 1000 kip!!
The trip to the top can challenge your fitness but is very pretty as the Frangipani buds begin to bloom. Although our visit was mid dry season and warm, it’s well worth the effort and if the entry fee goes into ongoing restoration, that can only be a good thing.
Written 24 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Wat Phu (Champasak Town) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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