The most important attraction in southern Laos, this pre-Angkorian temple has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It was founded in the first decades of the 9th century by Jayavarman II, the first king of an independent Khmer nation, and for some time Wat Phou served as the Khmer capital. Though Jayavarman II soon moved his government to the Angkor plain, Wat Phou remained an important pilgrim's destination for the entire Angkor era (about 600 years).
Wat Phou is often compared to Angkor, not only because it was built in the same style but because it too was lost to the jungle for centuries. Whilst the structures themselves are thrilling, it is the jungle overgrowth that creates the atmosphere. The Wat stood unused for centuries because it is a Hindu temple in what became a devoutly Buddhist land.
Experiences to Inspire in Wat Phou
Our Cruises in Wat Phou
