The Wat Phou site contains two stone palaces. — Photos: DAVID BOWDEN
Wat Phou (Vat Phou) in southern Laos – officially known as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic – some 45km southwest of Pakse, is a significant archaeological site that is recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.
The open-air site on the western side of the Mekong River dates back to the fifth century, but the remains of the stone temple (also known as Wat Phu), that visitors now visit, date back to the 11th century.
