Pak Ou Caves: Sanctuary of thousands of Buddhist statues

Located about 25 kilometers upstream from Luang Prabang, on the right bank at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers, the Pak Ou Caves can be regarded as one of Luang Prabang's must-visit sites. A Buddhist pilgrimage site spectacular for its location and for housing thousands of Buddha statuettes. A visit to the Pak Ou Caves is also an occasion to take a stunning cruise on the legendary Mekong River.

About Pak Ou Caves

Pak Ou literally means “mouth of the Ou river” in Laotian, in reference to the geographical position of the two caves, Tham Ting (the lower cave) and Tham Theung (the upper cave). These two caves are set in a stunning natural landscape, nestled inside a mountain at the confluence of the Nam Ou River and the Mekong River. Furthermore, these two caves have been regarded as important sites for Buddhist pilgrimage. The Laotians worship the river spirit, "phi," to seek blessing and protection from it, given the fact that the Mekong River flooding could easily ruin the region's inhabitants' crops and wash away their boats.

At the spot where the Mekong River and Nam Ou River meet, creating whirlpools, the locals decided to build a sanctuary inside the two caves. Over the centuries, pilgrims and inhabitants from the Luang Prabang area have carefully placed Buddha statues of various sizes inside the caves. During the Boun Pimai, the Laotian New Year in April, numerous Luang Prabang residents travel up the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves to make offerings.

What to see in Pak Ou Caves?

Nestled in a high, vertical limestone cliff, the entrance to the Pak Ou Caves is truly spectacular, resembling the open jaw of a giant creature thrust into the middle of a lush jungle. To get to the caves, travelers need to climb a staircase, which is divided into two levels. On the first level, travelers will reach the Tham Ting Cave, filled over several floors with thousands of Buddha statues of all sizes. Some are made of wood, others of bronze or stone. They assume many different positions, such as meditation, teaching, peace, or the inclination symbolizing nirvana. At the foot of the statues, offerings, paper ribbons, and incense flowers pile up. The Tham Ting cave offers breathtaking views of the Mekong and surrounding mountains.

After climbing about 200 more steps, travelers will reach the second cave: Tham Thue. Only a few dozen meters long, this cave requires a flashlight to visit, as the floor is plunged into total darkness. There, too, travelers can admire a fine collection of Buddha statues, as well as the beautiful views. Opposite Pak Ou are some local restaurants where you can eat and refresh yourself while taking in the beautiful view of the limestone mountains and the Nam Ou River.

How to get to the Pak Ou Caves?

There are many ways to get to the Pak Ou Caves:

- A simple cruise on a traditional wooden "long-tail" boat from the banks of the Mekong in Luang Prabang. The boat trip to the Pak Ou Caves takes around two hours, during which travelers can enjoy the marvelous scenery and observe the local life on the riverbanks. There are some stops for visiting traditional craft villages such as Ban Xang Hai, known for local rice-based whiskey called “lao lao”; Ban Xang Khong Village, famous for silk products, and Saa paper (paper made from the bark of the mulberry tree). After visiting the Pak Ou Caves, it takes over an hour to sail back down to the Mekong River. We highly suggest taking this trip at the end of the day, when there are fewer people at the sites, and on the way back you can catch the sunset over the Mekong.

- Cruise with lunch on board: Same program as the aforementioned simple cruise, but lunch is served onboard and the boat is generally more comfortable.

- For travelers who want to travel by vehicle, the Pak Ou Caves can be reached by vehicle. This would be a good option if you are coming from northern Laos to Luang Prabang and vice-versa.

- More athletic travelers can choose to go down the Nam Khan River mountain by bike or kayak.

- Those who stay at a hotel on the banks of the Nam Ou River, such as the Nam Ou Riverside Hotel & Resort, can even walk to the caves and then take a boat to have an excursion to the other side of the Mekong River.

Best time to visit the Pak Ou caves

The period from November to late April, which coincides with the dry season, is the best time to visit the Pak Ou Caves.

TOLUNHA.

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