Phousi Mountain, the cosmic center of Luang Prabang

A sacred hill, 100 meters high, Phousi Mountain is a must-see during your stay in the "golden city." It is a symbol of the spirituality of Luang Prabang and dominates the city. The highest point in Luang Prabang, the summit of Phousi Mountain offers one of the most beautiful views of the city and its surroundings.

History of Phousi Mountain

It was King Anourouth who, in 1804, was the first to build a stupa at the top of this mountain which majestically dominates Luang Prabang City and the Royal Palace located just at its feet. From this height, Phousi Mountain watched over the city and its inhabitants and it was thought that a benevolent guardian lord lived in these places. Phousi Mountain means in Laotian "luminous mountain" (Phou = mount, mountain, hill and Si or Sèng = color, light). And Phousi Mountain can indeed be seen from afar especially when the sun makes the golden stupa at its summit shine brightly. It is a bit like the lighthouse of Luang Prabang. The inhabitants consider Phousi Mountain as a protective hill, it is a benevolent sacred mountain and a high place of Buddhism in Laos.

Where is Phousi Mountain and how to get there?

Phousi Mountain is located in the city center of Luang Prabang, right at the entrance to the peninsula and the historic center of the city, between the Mekong and the Nam Khan Rivers. Like a protective guardian, it dominates from its 100 meters of height the old Royal Palace, which has been converted into a National Museum and the pretty Buddhist temple Wat Pa Huak. This temple dating from 1861 is distinguished by its superb pediment made of mosaics including a Buddha on a three-headed elephant. Inside, 19th-century frescoes have been very well restored.

There are 4 paths to access Phousi Mountain, the stairs being at the 4 cardinal points, at the base of the hill.

- Just opposite the National Museum, a fairly steep staircase leads you to Wat That Chomsi. Take the opportunity to admire on the way the dazzling Haw Pha Bang Pagoda which houses the sacred statue of Phra Bang.

- On the Kitsalat Road, a small path goes through the houses and then climbs gently through the vegetation offering different points of view on the Nam Khan River. You then arrive at the official entrance with the stairs just opposite which lead to the top.

- Another path starts directly from the Wat Siphoutthabat Temple which is located just opposite the Café Toui on the street that goes down to the Nam Khan River.

- On the banks of the same river, on Kingkitsarath Street, stairs lead you to the top of Phousi Mountain.

Preferably choose the first entrance, it is the one that allows you to see all the beautiful decorations along the way.

What to see at Phousi Mountain?

By taking the first path located higher up, you can admire during your ascent of Phousi Mountain various statues, and religious decorations including a large Buddha in a small cave and a reclining Buddha on the site of Wat Tham Phou. You can take a few breaks along the way in the shade of large trees. After climbing more than 300 steps, you finally arrive at the top of Phousi Mountain where stands the That Chomsi, a superb 24-meter-high stupa topped with a golden spire visible from the entire city. This stupa, sparkling in the sunlight, is distinguished by its rectangular base and its 7 levels which symbolize the 7 reincarnations of Buddha. Various small altars are scattered around the sacred stupa and you can see the many offerings made by the Laotians: flowers, usually white and orange, the colors of Buddhism, banknotes, hard-boiled eggs, citrus fruits...

The reward after climbing so many steps is of course the breathtaking panoramic view of Luang Prabang City bathed by the waters of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. From up here, you can admire the gently rolling green mountains that surround the town, the low-rise dwellings that rarely rise above two stories, and the rusty old bridge that spans the Nam Khan River. This rusty old bridge is a real tourist attraction in Luang Prang. Built in the 1920s, it allowed the colonial authorities to strengthen Luang Prabang’s infrastructure in an attempt to improve trade links between the largely inaccessible interior of the country and the more developed French colony of neighboring Vietnam.

When to go to Phousi Mountain?

The sunset over Luang Prabang and the majestic Mekong is a magnificent spectacle. Unfortunately, you won't be the only one wanting to enjoy these magical moments. Many travelers climb Phousi Mountain in the late afternoon to enjoy the spectacle. It's crowded at the top, especially in high season, and you sometimes have to jostle for position to enjoy the view.

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