Khammouane

Khammouane province contains two vast wilderness areas known as the Khammuane Limestone National Biodiversity Conservation Area and the Nakai - Nam Theun National Biodiversity Conservation Area.

The Kahmmuane Limestone is a maze of limestone karst peaks forming a stone forest of caves, rivers and pristine jungle.  For most of the wet season, the area is not accessible by road - most 'roads' being tracks with log bridges across deeps streams.  These tracks are often routes across rice paddies near the river banks - during the rainy season, the only way to get around is by boat.

The National Tourism Authority of Lao PDR is currently investigating ecotourism projects in this beautiful region.

The capital of Khammouane province is Tha Kek, situated

Khammouane Attrations

Thakhek Town

The provincial capital, Thakhekis located along the bank of the Mekong River. It is very important border opposite Nakorn Phanom, Thailand. Historically this town has been a fare front in the war for national independence. In Thakhek we can see many buildings designed in old colonial style (French classic)

Sikhottabong StupaBuilt at the same time as That Inhang Stupa in Savannakhet and That Phanom in Thailand. These were constructed in the Sikhottabong Empire for keeping the Bones of Lord Buddha. At first, it was built by King Nanthasene for King Soummitham then it restored by King Saysethathirath in the 16^th century.

It’s a four square stupa, each side is 25030 meters long and the foot each of 14.33 meters, the high is 29 meters. The top looks like the banana flower. It is located along the bank of the Mekong River on the Route 13B, 6km from Thakhek. The Festival is preformed on the third month of lunar calendar

The Great Wall

Along the Route 13 (south) just at Km 8 before Thakhek on the West Side, the great rocky wall stretches from the Namdone River at Km 12, it’s about 15 km long. Some sections are in the area of Thakhek

Built in Sikhottabong Empire between the 19^th century. Now this wall should be kept as a national heritage and a tourist site

Tham Khonglor Cave “Beauty in the Dark”

Tham Khonglor Cave is located in the Nation Protected Forest Area of Hinboun Mountain in Khammouane Province, 310 kilometers southeast of Vientiane and 169 kilometers north of Thakhek District, the west entrance is at Ban Khonglor Village, Hinboun District, whereas the east entrance is at Ban Natan Village, Nakai District

The cave is approximately 7,400 meters long, its width ranges from 10 to 90 meters. The wide and the height varies from 20 to 100 meters. The Hinboun River runs through the cave in all seasons. The most attractive area within the cave can be observed at Vang That and Had Xay Luang, where many decorative stones clinging to the ceiling can be view. Had Xay Luang (White Sand Beach) can also be visited, where an attractive beach od about 150 meters long and 100 meters wide can be enjoyed

From Vientiane along Route 13 (south) to Hinboun District about 160 kilometers then by boat along the Hinboun River about 120 kilometers. From Vientiane along Route 13 (south) to Ban Lao Village, turn left to Route 8 (Lak Sao intersection), at Km 37 Ban Khounkham Village after Theun Hinboun Reservoir turn right along the earth road about 38 kilometers to Ban Khongloe Village

Other attractive sites for visits in the Province include

Tad Kham Waterfall located 52 kilometers out of Thakhek District.   Tad Nam Khengkam Waterfall, on the Route 13 (south) about 37 kilometers to the east to Thakhek District . Wat Pha Sokkhamsene Temple, an ancient temple located about 1 km out of Nongbok District and about 37 kilometers from Thakhek District That Thumphavang Stupa located about 2 kilometers north of Nongbok District.   Tham Nang Cave located 4 kilometers from Ban Na Viallage in Hinboun District