Pak Ou Caves are the famous Buddha caves located approximately 25 km from Luang Prabang. They are a superb assembly of caves that can be reached by boat, around two hours upstream from the heart of Luang Prabang. Of late Pak Ou Caves have become quite well known and a popular tourists destination. The caves are famous for their remarkable Lao style Buddha sculptures amassed over several centuries by locals and pilgrims. At the Pak Ou Caves you will find mostly wooden Buddhist figures that are spread out over the floors and the shelves on the cave walls.
History of Pak Ou Caves
For a couple of thousand years, pilgrims and locals have been climbing the Pak Ou caves, high over the Mekong around 25km from Luang Prabang. Earlier these caves were used for worshiping the river spirit till the time Buddhism extended into Laos through the southern route from India. Gradually, over a span of 60 decades over 4,000 Buddha images have been placed in these caves. Most of the images were that of the standing Buddha of the Luang Prabang style.
Description of the Pak Ou Caves
Pak Ou Caves comprises two caves in limestone cliff near the Nam Ou River. These include the lower and smaller, known as Tham Ting, and the higher cave known as Tham Phum. The Tham Ting is some 50ft above the river and is open to light while Tham Phum is deep and inexplicably dark without a torch.
How to Reach Pak Ou Caves
You can reach the Pak Ou Caves by boat from Luang Prabang and land effortlessly at a little jetty under Tham Ting.
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There is also a land route, though a new road has made it far more convenient for jumbo (open taxis) as well as passengers. Travelers can also hire canoes and a guide on the way to the Pak Ou Caves. This allows you to see the beautiful scenery and also visit the caves without encountering throngs of other tourists. It is also possible to conclude your trip by visiting the ‘whisky village’ where the local Laolao (lao rice spirits) is prepared.
For more updates on Lao Buddhist Sculpture, visit the related links provided on www.buddhistsculptures.com.
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