Sunset in Phou Si Hill

 

About 150m above the town centre, Phou Si is a remarkable figure on the skyline of LuangPrabang town. The hill is famous among traveller who love LuangPrabang for its spectacular view every sunset over the Mekong River. 

 

From its peak, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view across the city, houses, Mekong river, buldings, temples, and also surrounding mountains and hills. Spending a couple of hours for going up and down, with lots of nice stops to see the temples, resting under the green old trees and admiring the magnificent views, you would feel the soul of LuangPrabang from its peak.

 

It is not difficult to reach Phou Si. Phou Si is located right opposite the Haw Pha Bang - National Museum with only one minute walk. 

 

There are two ways to go up Phou Si Hill: from the Royal Palace side and from the river side. For a better experience, you should go up Mount Phousi on one side and go down by another side. Different ways offer different landscape and experience. 

 

There are hundreds of steps up and down but it is easy enough for everyone even when you are not a very active one. You can pray and make offerings at several temples along the way. At the top of Phou Si, you can buy flowers and other offerings for blessings, as well as caged birds. The Laos believe that if you set a bird free, good luck and happiness will come to you in the future.

 

There are several temples, shrines, Buddhas and Buddha's alleged footprint along the way, but none of them are particularly special if you have already seen others in the town - so don't expect a stunning gogeous temple visiting - it is just the view, keep in mind.

 

On Phou Si's top, there is also an old anti aircraft gun that will be mobbed by tourists taking pictures.

 

Take some time to meditate in the temple or just simply watch the fog rise from the valleys to the tops of the mountains. Witness the afternoon traffic along the river as the locals go about their day to day business. Then take a leisurely stroll back down into the village for a dinner. Afterwards, you can visit night market which is most busy at 6 - 8 PM and get some small souvenir. What a great end for the day!

 

Just don't forget to bring water and your camera to capture best moment on the day when sun sets!