When picking up the scooter, there was a stylish girl at the reception of our accommodation. However, we didn’t see her again afterward. Later, we only saw a tall, rugged-looking young woman and two other guys.
The distance from Pakse to Champasak is around 60 kilometers. Initially, we crossed the Mekong River bridge. One of our friends was enthusiastic, repeatedly saying "Ama Ama Mekong" while taking videos and photos. Later, we encountered the Mekong River several times during our journey—just like in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and finally when crossing from Laos back to Thailand. Near Champasak, the river is wider compared to Luang Prabang, spanning about a kilometer in width.
Roads
Some roads in Laos make you wonder if it’s a poor country because of their poor maintenance and broken sections. However, the size of the roads is impressive, with regular urban roads having six lanes—three on each side. On the way to Champasak, we saw some wooden bridges constructed over iron frames. We encountered several such bridges during the journey.
Champasak
Champasak is an ancient site. Although it now has a Buddhist identity, its ruins date back to the 5th century AD and represent both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. While it’s located near Khmer ruins, it is considered distinct from them. Although it shares similarities with the famous Angkor ruins in Cambodia, Champasak is regarded as a unique site. The ancient ruins lie on flat plains, with two notable religious sites along the road and one large sacred area higher up. Unlike many of Sri Lanka’s ruins, some of these structures still have intact walls.
Artistry
Some stone carvings are more intricate than wooden carvings, featuring sharp lines and detailed designs. At the higher site, the view is reminiscent of the vibe you get from King Kashyapa's Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, offering a vast panorama of the land and the Mekong River. Many tourists from Laos and abroad visit this location.
Restoration and Maintenance
The restoration work at Champasak is supported by the Indian government. They measure and study the deteriorating artifacts carefully before providing additional support to preserve and reestablish the ruins. The statues of the Buddha on the upper site were not as beautiful as the ones in Sri Lanka. There was also a carving of an elephant and a crocodile on the stones, which we observed closely.
Climbing up and down was somewhat challenging, but the effort was worthwhile for experiencing such incredible ancient architecture. I had already watched videos about Champasak before coming here, but seeing it in person felt much more vibrant, with greater detail and awe-inspiring elements. Unlike many of Sri Lanka’s ruins, which are heavily damaged, even the ancient roads here are still in good condition.
Food and Drinks
Before heading to Champasak, we stopped at a shop to eat. Although we couldn’t understand the language, the menu had pictures. Using an app on the phone, we translated and ordered our meals. I chose a noodle soup. My friends taught me how to handle the chopsticks, which became easy once I got used to it. Eating noodles with chopsticks is quite convenient.
The entry fee for this site is around 60,000 kip per person. However, the vast area is well-maintained, with electric carts for transportation, trimmed grass, and clean restrooms.
If you visit southern Laos, Champasak is definitely a place worth seeing!
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