Pak Ou Caves

The Pak Ou Caves of Laos

By Jude Limburn Turner

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Buddha statues, incense and flowers offering at the entrance of the lower Pak Ou Cave (Photo credit: Wikipedia)"][/caption]

 

For over a thousand years, Lao people have been visiting the Pak Ou Caves on the shore of the Mekong River. At first, according to some sources, they venerated a river spirit there. As Buddhism spread through Southeast Asia, the caves became important sites for Buddhist worship. Those on a Laos holiday can visit the caves, where a beautiful sight awaits: they are filled with thousands of Buddha statues, large and small.

Tham Ting: the lower cave

Open to the air, this jagged slice in the rock is a short climb above the river's shore. In some ways it is the most stunning, as it is easy to see everything the cave holds. The Buddhas, most of them very small, are arranged on natural rock ledges and in nooks. A shrine, bedecked in yet more Buddhas, offers a place to kneel and pray, and you may see locals and Southeast Asian tourists placing incense and small offerings there. This cave really is a highlight on any Laos holiday - as well as, arguably, one of the best photo opportunities for those who want to capture an aspect of the Lao people's religious beliefs and customs.

Tham Phum: the upper cave

Climb up a fairly long and steep stretch of steps and you will reach Tham Phum, the upper cave. Pack a torch for your Laos holiday if you plan to visit Tham Phum, as it goes deep into the rock where no natural light reaches. With a torch, it reveals another amazing display of Buddhas, containing the majority of the alleged four thousand figures that fill the two caves. Without, it is a dark and mysterious place, sporadically lit by other visitors' torches and camera flashes. However you see it, Tham Phum is well worth the climb.

How to visit the caves

On an organised Laos holiday, a visit to the Pak Ou Caves is almost always part of the itinerary. For those travelling independently, the caves are easy to reach. Situated twenty-five kilometres from Luang Prabang, the best option is to travel by boat. It's very easy to arrange a place on one of the tourist vessels that sets out in the morning, or to privately hire one of the boatmen throughout the day. The journey takes about an hour and a half each way. There is also a land option, taking a tuk-tuk to the opposite shore and then catching a ferry, but this is considerably less scenic.

Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company who run several Laos holiday itineraries. Operating in Asia for over 20 years, they now offer treks and tours worldwide, including destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.

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