Guidebook for Muang Khong
Sightseeing
The Khone falls, a series of cascading waterfalls in the Mekong river is one of Laos’ most beautiful natural attractions. The impressive falls in Champasak province near the Cambodian border are the largest in volume in South East Asia.
The falls, also known as Khone Phapheng, are located in an area called Si Phan Don, which literally translates to “Four thousand islands”. At this point the Mekong river broadens out; during the rainy season the river and series of cascades is kilometers wide and extend over a length of almost 10 kilometers downstre.
The Khone falls are located South of Don Khon island, the area which is the home of a small group of rare Irrawaddy dolphins.
Khon Phapheng Falls
The Khone falls, a series of cascading waterfalls in the Mekong river is one of Laos’ most beautiful natural attractions. The impressive falls in Champasak province near the Cambodian border are the largest in volume in South East Asia.
The falls, also known as Khone Phapheng, are located in an area called Si Phan Don, which literally translates to “Four thousand islands”. At this point the Mekong river broadens out; during the rainy season the river and series of cascades is kilometers wide and extend over a length of almost 10 kilometers downstre.
The Khone falls are located South of Don Khon island, the area which is the home of a small group of rare Irrawaddy dolphins.
Located on Don Khon, 1.5km downriver from the French bridge, vast Tat Somphamit is a gorgeous set of raging rapids. Its other name, Li Phi, means 'Spirit Trap' and locals believe the falls act as just that: a trap for bad spirits as they wash down the river. Local fishermen risk their skin edging out onto rocks in the violent flow of the cascades to empty bamboo traps. Don't try this stunt yourself – travellers have died slipping off the rocks beyond the barrier.
Xai Kong Nyai Beach, a kilometre downriver, is a safer, year-round swimming option
Li Phi Falls / Tat Somphamit Waterfalls
Located on Don Khon, 1.5km downriver from the French bridge, vast Tat Somphamit is a gorgeous set of raging rapids. Its other name, Li Phi, means 'Spirit Trap' and locals believe the falls act as just that: a trap for bad spirits as they wash down the river. Local fishermen risk their skin edging out onto rocks in the violent flow of the cascades to empty bamboo traps. Don't try this stunt yourself – travellers have died slipping off the rocks beyond the barrier.
Xai Kong Nyai Beach, a kilometre downriver, is a safer, year-round swimming option
Rusting locomotives sit near each end of the main cross-island road, which follows the old railway route. Surrounding them are placards detailing the history of the railway, which the French built in the late 1800s as a way of transporting supplies around the impassable falls. The railway has been out of use since WWII (when the Japanese briefly used it) since new roads made it redundant, and the track has long since been carted off.
Across the old tracks from the Ban Khon locomotive is a small Christian cemetery.
Old French Port, Don Det
Rusting locomotives sit near each end of the main cross-island road, which follows the old railway route. Surrounding them are placards detailing the history of the railway, which the French built in the late 1800s as a way of transporting supplies around the impassable falls. The railway has been out of use since WWII (when the Japanese briefly used it) since new roads made it redundant, and the track has long since been carted off.
Across the old tracks from the Ban Khon locomotive is a small Christian cemetery.
The less intact of the two rusting locomotives sitting at opposite ends of the main cross-island road, which follows the old railway route. Placards detail the history of the railway.
Old French Port
The less intact of the two rusting locomotives sitting at opposite ends of the main cross-island road, which follows the old railway route. Placards detail the history of the railway.
Don Khon is joined with Don Det by a historic railway bridge built by the French in 1910.
Historic Bridge, Don Det - Don Khon
Don Khon is joined with Don Det by a historic railway bridge built by the French in 1910.
Parks & Nature
Area: 2,400 sq. km
Ecotourism activities available: trekking, bird watching and elephant riding.
Xe Pian National Protected Area is a national protected area in Champasak and Attapeu provinces in southern Laos. This forested, hilly park is home to significant wetlands and a great diversity of animal, bird and fish species.It is an ecotourism destination.
Nasenphan
Area: 2,400 sq. km
Ecotourism activities available: trekking, bird watching and elephant riding.
Xe Pian National Protected Area is a national protected area in Champasak and Attapeu provinces in southern Laos. This forested, hilly park is home to significant wetlands and a great diversity of animal, bird and fish species.It is an ecotourism destination.
Everything Else
FOUR THOUSAND ISLANDS (SI PHAN DON)
The breathtaking 4000 Islands or Si Phan Don are located in a section of the Mekong River just north of the border with Cambodia and start from Don Khong, the largest island and capital of Khong District, Si Phan Don is an important wetland habitat for both bird and aquatic wildlife species- most notably the freshwater, endangered Irrawady Dolphin and also provides an important natural resource base that supports many local people through fishing and other indigenous activities. This area of the Mekong is unique from all others for its many islands, some of which are uninhabited and still remain in their pristine natural form.
Si Phan Don
FOUR THOUSAND ISLANDS (SI PHAN DON)
The breathtaking 4000 Islands or Si Phan Don are located in a section of the Mekong River just north of the border with Cambodia and start from Don Khong, the largest island and capital of Khong District, Si Phan Don is an important wetland habitat for both bird and aquatic wildlife species- most notably the freshwater, endangered Irrawady Dolphin and also provides an important natural resource base that supports many local people through fishing and other indigenous activities. This area of the Mekong is unique from all others for its many islands, some of which are uninhabited and still remain in their pristine natural form.
Arts & Culture
About 6.5km northeast of Muang Saen, Wat Phu Khao Kaew was built on the site of some presumed pre-Khmer ruins, making it a holy spot for locals. Nothing of that era is visible; now there is a bright red and gold modern stupa and a large reclining Buddha in the arm-down, 'Entering Nirvana' posture. It sits atop some exposed bedrock and the beautiful Mekong-side perch is more of a reason to stop than any of the structures.
It is also believed to be home to a naga (river serpent), though the entrance to its lair is covered. Don't be confused by the sign on the road that misspelled the last word as 'Kae'.
Wat Phu Khao Kaew
About 6.5km northeast of Muang Saen, Wat Phu Khao Kaew was built on the site of some presumed pre-Khmer ruins, making it a holy spot for locals. Nothing of that era is visible; now there is a bright red and gold modern stupa and a large reclining Buddha in the arm-down, 'Entering Nirvana' posture. It sits atop some exposed bedrock and the beautiful Mekong-side perch is more of a reason to stop than any of the structures.
It is also believed to be home to a naga (river serpent), though the entrance to its lair is covered. Don't be confused by the sign on the road that misspelled the last word as 'Kae'.
When the local governor built this two-story French colonial-style home in 1935, he was so proud of himself that he christened it Sathanavoudthi, which means 'Garden of Eden' in an old Lao dialect. Level-headed locals just called it 'The Brick House'. In 2010 it was restored and now houses one of Laos' smallest museums. But the musical instruments, animal traps and photos of the Don Khon railway are worth a few minutes of your time. The furniture on the second floor is original.
Don Khong History Museum
When the local governor built this two-story French colonial-style home in 1935, he was so proud of himself that he christened it Sathanavoudthi, which means 'Garden of Eden' in an old Lao dialect. Level-headed locals just called it 'The Brick House'. In 2010 it was restored and now houses one of Laos' smallest museums. But the musical instruments, animal traps and photos of the Don Khon railway are worth a few minutes of your time. The furniture on the second floor is original.
Wat Phouang Keo
Buddhist temple near the Khong island center
Shopping
Although sugar palms can be seen across the island, Ban Hin Siew Tai is southern Laos' sugar capital. Many farmers here climb the trees twice a day to collect the juice and then boil it down to sugar, and if you see them working you are welcome to pop in for a visit. The sugar season is from November to February and early morning is the best time to go.
Don Khong
Although sugar palms can be seen across the island, Ban Hin Siew Tai is southern Laos' sugar capital. Many farmers here climb the trees twice a day to collect the juice and then boil it down to sugar, and if you see them working you are welcome to pop in for a visit. The sugar season is from November to February and early morning is the best time to go.
Getting Around
Pakse's main bus station. Also known as khíw lot lák pąet, or '8km bus terminal' because it's 8km out of town on Rte 13.
Bus
Any bus headed along Route 13 between Pakse to the Cambodia border or Si Phan Don can drop passengers off on the highway at Ban Hat Xai Khoung. It’s a kilometre walk or motorbike taxi ride to the boat landing.
From Pakse to Don Khong, (via Ban Hat Xai Khoun) songthaews departs the Southern Bus Terminal (aka km-8 station) in the morning at 08:00 or when full; it’s best to arrive at least 30 minutes beforehand. It arrives at Ban Hat Xai Khoun at around 10:30 where you can take the boat across.
8Km Bus Terminal station
13Pakse's main bus station. Also known as khíw lot lák pąet, or '8km bus terminal' because it's 8km out of town on Rte 13.
Bus
Any bus headed along Route 13 between Pakse to the Cambodia border or Si Phan Don can drop passengers off on the highway at Ban Hat Xai Khoung. It’s a kilometre walk or motorbike taxi ride to the boat landing.
From Pakse to Don Khong, (via Ban Hat Xai Khoun) songthaews departs the Southern Bus Terminal (aka km-8 station) in the morning at 08:00 or when full; it’s best to arrive at least 30 minutes beforehand. It arrives at Ban Hat Xai Khoun at around 10:30 where you can take the boat across.
Private transportation services : Drive about 2:30 hours from the Pakse airport to Khong Island.
Contact us for more information please....
Pakse international airport
13Private transportation services : Drive about 2:30 hours from the Pakse airport to Khong Island.
Contact us for more information please....