Pakse is a city located in southern Laos, situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Xe Don rivers. It is the capital of Champasak province and is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and delicious local cuisine. Let's dive into this Pakse travel guide for your unforgettable trip!

Overview of Pakse

Pakse is a town of Champasack province, located at the confluence of two rivers Xedone and Mekong, a quiet town where life runs along the banks of the Mekong River. This entire area was heavily influenced by French colonialism, as well as the nearby city of Savannakhet. This is not the only land with many interesting tourist attractions, but also a place that hides a lot of cultural and distinctive culinary...Attractions in Pakse are mainly French colonial architecture near the Xe Don River and pristine Buddhist temples such as Wat Phabad, Wat Phousalao and Wat Luang or the Champasak Provincial Museum, Pakse Market, Xe Don Bridge.

Best time to visit Pakse

November to March are the ideal months to take a trip to Paske. In this dry season, the weather is very cool and comfortable that is suitable for a relaxation trip. And it is perfect for the activities outdoor such as trekking, hiking… on the months: December, January, and February

Unless you have no other times, you should not visit Paske from March to May as the climate is very hot which can be up to 40 Celsius degree. And if you do not like rain, don’t set your trip from May to October as this time is the rainy season.

Things to see and do in Pakse

Pakse means mouth of the river and this little town is charming enough for a spectacular stopover. Besides, if you would love to visit the Bolevan Plateau or the 4,000 Islands, you need to start from Paske. Below are the sites you should not miss on the trip to Paske.

Wat Luang

Situated on the SeDon river and built in 1935, Wat Luang is one of the biggest among the 20 wats and one of the most charming temples in Paske. This colorful temple has a school that teaches Buddhist courses for monks.

Champasak Provincial Historical Heritage Museum

The Champasak Provincial Museum, the main local museum in Pakseprovince, holds the unique history of the province, which assembles all kinds of artifacts and documents to relate the history of Champasak. The museum also holds historical photos of cultural events, foreign meetings and pictures of Kaysone Phomvihane, Nouhak Phoumsavan and Khamtay Siphandone, 3 famous leaders of Laos, all originating from the south. It displays other types of artifacts, such as ethnic clothing, along with textile and jewelry collections or jars, which have been found through historical periods.

Massage at Dok Champa

A Lao massage or oil massage will be a good idea for your body after a long day discover Laos. It’s not expensive and you’ll feel rejuvenated after an hour on the mat. You will put on pajama-like attire and lay on a mat on the floor to enjoy the traditional massage of Laotians.

Read more: 2 Days in Pakse - Top things to do

Dao Heuang Market

The Dao Heuang Market is the biggest morning market in the South of Laos held in the Lao-Japanese bridge in Pakse. You can find home goods and food such as meats, fresh flowers and vegetables produced locally.

Champasak Palace Hotel

One of the wonderful pieces of architecture that you can not miss when visiting Paske is the impressive Palace of Prince Chao Boun Oum. Now it is Champasak Palace Hotel.

Friendship Mall

The Friendship Mall in Pakse is a cool place if you are tired of the heat of the local markets. Here you can shop in a supermarket and department stores or entertain with the movie theatre. It’s also convenient if you want to find the street food in the outdoor market area near the Mall.

Rooftop Sunset

Do not miss the happy hour at the rooftop bar of the Pakse Hotel and Restaurant. La Panorama has two-for-one cocktails and this is the best place for you to see the twilight, enjoy dinner or watch up the star at night in Pakse.

Visit the Golden Buddha

Wat Phou Salao is a famous temple located on a hillside of Pakse with a huge golden Buddha. You can visit this place by a tuk-tuk or a motorbike then take the steps or ride up the road to the temple to capture the stunning view there.

Related tours for you:

• Magnificent Vietnam, Laos & Thailand
• Impressions of Laos
• Tour of Laos's characters and legacies

Nightlife activities in Pakse

Nightlife in Pakse is a must experience that you won’t miss. There are dozen of rustic bars, coffee stores, restaurants and high-class hotels with rooftop and pool bar to enjoy the drink and the stunning view of the small bustling town and Mekong river at night.

Besides the rooftop bar, wandering along the Mekong River bank flowing through the town is interesting. While strolling along the banks, you can taste some local street food at the stalls surrounding or have dinner in a restaurant with Riverview or the boat restaurants floating on the Mekong River.

Specialties of Pakse

Pakse's cuisine is delicious, especially the fish and crayfish dishes.

One of the most popular dishes in Pakse is noodle soup, also known as Kao Piek. This dish is typically made with thick rice noodles in a flavorful broth with chicken or pork, and is often garnished with herbs and vegetables.

Tam Mak Hoong also known as spicy papaya salad, this is a refreshing and spicy dish made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, chilies, fish sauce, and lime juice. It's a perfect dish for a hot day in Pakse

In the afternoon, sitting in a riverside restaurant and enjoying Pakse's food is a great experience.

With its laid-back charm and friendly locals, Pakse is a great destination for those looking for an authentic and off-the-beaten-path travel experience in Laos!

***
Travel Authentic Asia Company is your best choice for discovering the beauty of Southeast Asia. Our experienced and knowledgeable travel advisors are committed to helping you create a tailor-made tour and extraordinary experiences in this majestic region.

If you're looking for an authentic cultural experience, do not hesitate to contact Travel Authentic Asia to choose a Laos tour, Southeast Asia tour package or to customize your own style tour to South East Asia.