Pakse & Khone Phapheng Falls

Pakse — Gateway to the South

Pakse (ປາກເຊ) is the largest city in the south and the logistical hub for everything south of Vientiane: 4000 Islands, Bolaven Plateau, Champasak. The city itself is not a tourist highlight, but a pleasant place to recharge, with a lively market (Dao Heuang Market), good restaurants, and a Mekong promenade.

• Dao Heuang Market: The largest market in the region — fresh fruit, spices, dry goods, textiles. This is where the locals shop.
• Mekong Promenade: At the confluence of the Mekong and Se Don. Evening street food stalls and sunset.
• Champasak Historical Heritage Museum: Small but informative collection on the history of the region.

Khone Phapheng Falls

The Khone Phapheng Falls (ນ້ຳຕົກຕາດຄອນພະເພັງ) are the widest waterfalls in Southeast Asia — and one of the most impressive natural sights on the continent. The entire Mekong plunges here over a width of several hundred meters before continuing into Cambodia. The water masses in the rainy season (July–October) are apocalyptic — a roar that can be felt throughout the body.

• Location: 15 km south of Don Khon, on the east side of the Mekong. Accessible by tuk-tuk from Nakasang or Ban Hat Xai Khoun.
• Entrance: 35,000 LAK
• Viewpoints: Several platforms offer different perspectives on the falls. The lower viewpoint is the closest — spray included.

Tad Fane Waterfall

Located on the Bolaven Plateau (→ see Bolaven chapter), but included here for completeness: Two parallel waterfalls that plunge 120 m into a forested gorge. A viewpoint at the edge of the gorge offers a dramatic panorama. For adventurers: a zipline stretches across the entire gorge (400,000 LAK). For everyone else: a coffee at the viewpoint will suffice.