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| Home » Laos Travel Guide »
Champasak
» Pakse Town |
| DESTINATION LAOS |
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PAKSE
GUIDE |
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 ATRACTIONS IN
CHAMPASAK |
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| HIGHLIGHTS IN
CHAMPASAK |
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| QUICK GUIDANCE |
| The breathtaking landscapes, beautiful coastlines, cultural delights and historical significance, make Laos an enjoyable stop in Asia travel map. To help you plan a trip in Pakse - Laos, we provide the useful guide of hotel options, package tours, transport, attractions, shopping and entertainment. You just click the sections below for helpful information. |
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PAKSE
OVERVIEW |
| The town of Pakse (French Paksé) (population 70,000) is a city in southern Laos, situated at the confluence of the Xedone and Mekong Rivers. It is the largest city in Champasak province and is the gateway to the Bolovens Plateau. It was formerly the capital of the Lao Kingdom of Champasak, which was abolished in 1946 when the Kingdom of Laos was formed. Since the construction of a bridge over the Mekong (built with Japanese aid), allowing road traffic with Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand, Pakse has become the commercial centre of southern Laos.
The vast majority of the accommodation, services and restaurants, western travellers are interested in is located on or near the eastern bank of the Se Don, easily accessed on foot, though there are a couple of popular, high-range hotels further east along Road 13. There's a scattering of guesthouses even further east, but all of them are in inconvenient, isolated locations and cater almost exclusively to Asian tour groups.
The roads of Pakse are numbered in no particular order, and street signs are non-existent, so if you're going to spend any time here, you'll benefit from a good map. To supplement your handy-dandy Travelfish map, the Champasak Tourist and Pakse City map offers a pretty good view of the city streets, though they place the Sedone Guest House on the wrong side of the river, and the road map is pretty much useless for trips to the surrounding areas. The big, green, Lao PDR government Map of Pakse offers a similar view of the town, but doesn't list much accommodation along the river -- the regional road map is slightly better, but still confusing and leaves out all the major sites! The much-circulated and recopied map provided by Sabaidy 2 Guesthouse is useful, but the city map leaves out a lot of information. However, the regional road-map on the reverse is an excellent, accurate guide to surrounding sites that you'll find essential to bring along if you explore the surrounds by motorbike. Ripped-off copies are available all around, town, but the original is the best.
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PAKSE TRAVEL TIPS |
Money
There are several ATMs in Chong Mek on the Thai side of the border into Laos, and a Siam Commercial Bank. There are no ATMs in Laos outside of Vientiane, so if you're using a debit card to get cash, this will be your last chance to do so before travelling in southern Laos. Plan ahead, and take out as much money as you will need for your trip. All major travellers' cheques can be cashed at all the banks, money exchange places, and bigger hotels. They will usually charge about US$2 per check cashed regardless of denomination. Although carrying cash is always a little dicey, bringing as much Thai baht as you dare is a very good idea -- it's accepted almost everywhere in all denominations. US dollars run a close second.
Despite all the warnings, travellers always seem to be showing up in Laos expecting to find an ATM, or they run out of money before the end of their stay. Your only option at that point is to receive money by Western Union, or get an advance on your credit card -- the latter can be done at some banks on the weekdays, and at some money exchange places, such as the one next to the Lao Development Bank, on weekends. Western Union is available at the Lao Development Bank on Road 13 and at the Post Office.
The Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Laos (BCEL) is located along the Se Don river road, south of the bridge. The commission on credit card advances is 3%, which is a bit lower than the Lao Development Bank, but they charge a higher rate for traveller's cheques -- $US3 per note or 3%, whichever is greater. The LDP charges US$2 per note, but 4 % for credit card advances.
Travellers heading to Vietnam can stop off at the Laos-Vietnam Bank on Road 13 a buy Vietnamese dong at good rates -- not a bad idea to have some dong on arrival, as kip and baht are useless, though dollars are still widely accepted.
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GETTING IN - OUT
PAKSE |
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Road: The distance from Vientiane to Pakse, the provincial capital of Champassak, is 610 kilometers by Route 13 (south) via the provinces of Bolikhamxai, Khammouane, Savannakhet and Saravane.
The VIP buses from/to Vientiane operate from near the Champasak shopping centre in the town centre, while transport from/to the south uses the bus station 8km south of town. The journey takes about 10 hours and should cost around USD8. The VIP buses from/to Thailand via the Chong Mek border crossing take about 2 hours and charge USD5 (200 baht).
Plane: The Pakse International Airport is some km north of town and offers scheduled flights to Vientiane and Siem Reap. There are some Tuk-Tuks and Motos taxi which will carry you to the town at small expenses.
Boat: There is a regualar slow-boat service to Si Phan Don. Departure is around 8am but check the day before. The boat landing is near the mouth of the Xe Don river.
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GETTING AROUND
PAKSE |
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This is a small town so walk around. Otherwise there are enough tuk tuks around. A trip to the market will cost around 5000 kip and USD1 to the bus station.
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PAKSE FOODS |
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ENTERTAINMENT |
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| Northern Laos |
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Vientiane - Vang Vieng, Bokeo - Houeixai Town, Houaphan, Luang Namtha- Muang Sing, Luang Prabang - Muong Ngoi, Oudomxay, Phong Saly,
Xaignabouli, Xieng Khouang |
| Central Laos |
| Bolikhamxay, Khammouane - Khonglor Cave - Thakhaek Town, Savannakhet |
| Southern Laos |
| Attapeu, Champasak - Khong Island - Pakse Town, Salavan - Tadlo Waterfall, Sekong |
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