| |
 |
Caves of Pak Ou
25km from central Luang Prabang are the Pak Ou caves. Take a boat, the best way to access the caves, up the Mekong river and await the astonishing view from the boat as you approach the caves, tucked into the imposing limestone cliff. The lower cave, Tham Ting, is open to the riverbank, though be prepared for a steep, but thankfully short, climb. The mouth of the cave is lined with Buddha statues and the kneeling places, candles and incense give the feeling of a shrine. In fact this is where damaged statues were brought by the local people rather than discard them. And before the advent of Buddhism in Laos these were sacred places to worship - and appease - the river spirit of the pre-Buddhist widespread animist religion. |
Further up the cliff, hidden from view, is the sister cave of Tham Phum.
This deep, dark cave (take a torch!) is home to around 4000 Buddha statues and images.
The multitude of styles and mannerisms is what makes the collection fascinating. Buddha is portrayed standing, lying, palms outward, palms upward, fat and thin.
During the Lao New Year celebrations, hundreds of Luang Prabang residents make the trip up the Mekong to ceremoniously wash the statues. | |
|
|
On the way back from your visit to the caves, stop off at the village of Ban Xang Hai and try the local rice wine and rice-based liqueur, direct from the distillery.
Then, just a short ride away, is "The Weaving Village". Ban Phanom is well-known for the production of and weaving of silk.
Visitors can see the entire process, from breeding the silkworms right through to weaving the fabric.
A shop sells the finished products of bolts of cloth, items of clothing, mementos and gifts. |
|
|
|
|
