Pak Ou Caves

About

The Pak Ou Caves are embedded in the East bank of the Mekong River, near where it meets the Ou. From when Buddhism was introduced to the region until 1975, the local residents and even the king would come to this cave for ceremonies, gradually filling its walls with images of Buddha. Today, there are over 4,000 Buddha statues of various sizes in the cave, with some dating back to the 18th century. After hiring a boat to cross the Mekong, visitors reach the first cave, which offers a beautiful view of river-backed Buddhas. A short hive brings you to the second cave, which is set 50 meters into the rock face, so you’ll need a flashlight.