Overview
About this place
A hilltop temple on the west bank of the Mekong, crowned by a giant golden Buddha facing the river — the best viewpoint over Pakse and the Lao–Japanese Friendship Bridge, especially at sunset.
Wat Phou Salao sits on a hilltop on the west bank of the Mekong, directly across the river from Pakse. Its signature is a giant seated golden Buddha gazing out over the Mekong towards the town; it can be seen from the Pakse riverside and from the Lao–Japanese Friendship Bridge, and has become the city's best-known modern landmark.
From the Buddha's terrace the panorama takes in the broad curve of the Mekong, the mouth of the Sedone River where it joins it, the rooftops of Pakse and the long span of the Friendship Bridge. On a clear day you may make out the rising edge of the Bolaven Plateau far to the east. Smaller Buddha images and statues are scattered across the hillside around the main platform.
There are two ways up: by road, with a car park close to the summit, or on foot via a long staircase from the base of the hill — steep enough that you should bring water and take your time. The best time to come is about an hour before sunset, when the golden light catches the statue and the river; early morning is cooler and quieter.
Getting there: cross the Lao–Japanese Friendship Bridge to the west bank and follow the signs up the hill (about 15 minutes from the town centre). If you go by tuk-tuk, charter it for the round trip and agree how long the driver will wait — there are rarely any vehicles for hire at the top. Entry is free (donations welcome). It is an active temple with resident monks, so dress modestly.
Opening hours, fees and fares are sample data — please verify before visiting.
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Updated Oct 18, 2026
Fair-price directions
How to get there
Standard prices from popular starting points. Agree the price before you get in — if a driver asks for more, show the Driver Card.
| From | Vehicle | Distance | Time | Fair price | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)City centre · ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊ | Tuk-tukຕຸກຕຸກ | 6 km | 15 min | ₭ 100,000–150,000per vehicle≈ $4.65–$6.98 Round-trip charter with about an hour of waiting; agree the price and waiting time first, as there are almost no vehicles for hire at the top. | |
| Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)City centre · ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊ | Bicycle | 6 km | 30 min | Free Bicycles and motorbikes can be rented from guesthouses and rental shops near the riverside (a licence and helmet are needed for motorbikes). Route 13 is busy — keep right and ride carefully. | |
| Pakse International Airport (PKZ)Airport · ສະໜາມບິນສາກົນປາກເຊ | Taxiແທັກຊີ | 10 km | 20 min | ₭ 150,000–200,000per vehicle≈ $6.98–$9.3 Taxis and tuk-tuks wait outside the small terminal at Pakse airport; agree a per-vehicle price before getting in, or ask your hotel to arrange a pick-up. | |
| Lao–Japanese Friendship Bridge (Pakse side)City centre · ຂົວມິດຕະພາບລາວ–ຍີ່ປຸ່ນ | Motorbike taxiລົດຈັກຮັບຈ້າງ | 3 km | 10 min | ₭ 30,000–50,000per person≈ $1.4–$2.33 Cross the bridge and follow the signs up the hill; if riding yourself, use a low gear on the steep final stretch. |
- Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)City centre · ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊTuk-tukຕຸກຕຸກ6 km15 min
Fair range
₭ 100,000–150,000per vehicle≈ $4.65–$6.98Round-trip charter with about an hour of waiting; agree the price and waiting time first, as there are almost no vehicles for hire at the top.
- Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)City centre · ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊBicycle6 km30 min
Fair range
FreeBicycles and motorbikes can be rented from guesthouses and rental shops near the riverside (a licence and helmet are needed for motorbikes). Route 13 is busy — keep right and ride carefully.
- Pakse International Airport (PKZ)Airport · ສະໜາມບິນສາກົນປາກເຊTaxiແທັກຊີ10 km20 min
Fair range
₭ 150,000–200,000per vehicle≈ $6.98–$9.3Taxis and tuk-tuks wait outside the small terminal at Pakse airport; agree a per-vehicle price before getting in, or ask your hotel to arrange a pick-up.
- Lao–Japanese Friendship Bridge (Pakse side)City centre · ຂົວມິດຕະພາບລາວ–ຍີ່ປຸ່ນMotorbike taxiລົດຈັກຮັບຈ້າງ3 km10 min
Fair range
₭ 30,000–50,000per person≈ $1.4–$2.33Cross the bridge and follow the signs up the hill; if riding yourself, use a low gear on the steep final stretch.
Location
On the map
Phou Salao hill, west bank of the Mekong, Phonthong district — near the west end of the Lao–Japanese Friendship Bridge
Close by
Nearby attractions
Mekong Terrace Lao Restaurant (sample)
ຮ້ານອາຫານລາວ ລະບຽງແມ່ຂອງ (ຕົວຢ່າງ)Traveller reviews
Reviews
4.7
6 reviews
Lukas· DE
5.0Best sunset spot in Pakse — the golden Buddha looks over the whole river and the bridge.
Oct 18, 2026
Sophie· FR
4.0Beautiful and peaceful. Go early to beat the heat and the tour vans.
Sep 21, 2026
Golf· TH
5.0สถานที่สะอาด เจ้าหน้าที่ใจดี ถ่ายรูปสวยทุกมุม
Aug 1, 2026
ສົມໃຈ· LA
4.0ດີ ແຕ່ຄົນຫຼາຍໃນວັນພັກ
Jul 14, 2026
Ji-woo· KR
5.0Loved it. Transport prices were exactly as listed on PakseHub, no surprises.
Jul 8, 2026
ບົວວັນ· LA
5.0ມາກັບຄອບຄົວ ມ່ວນຫຼາຍ ຈະມາອີກ
Jul 1, 2026