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and Culture
» Art and Culture in Champasack |
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Art
and Culture in Champasack
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Wat Phou |
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(The second World
Heritage
Site in Lao) |
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Certainly the highlight of any
visit to Champasack
Province
is the ancient
Khmer Temple of Wat Phou. Situated on the Phou Bao (mountains) slope 6
kilometers away from Champasack District and about 45 kilometers from
south of
Pakse along the Mekong River. It is also important as an historic and
cultural
site and was acknowledged by UNESCO (United Nations Educational
Scientific and
Cultural Organization) as a World Heritage Site on December 14, 2001
(the
second World Heritage site in Laos). |
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Wat Phou, a complex of temple
buildings constructed in Khmer style overlooking the Mekong
is both impressive and inspiring. It is recognized as one of the most
important
Hindu sanctuaries of Cambodia’s
Khmer Empire, which was in place between the 9th to 13th
Centuries and is the largest example of Khmer Architecture in southern Laos.
On the
same site, ruins dating from pre-Angor times have also been identified. |
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On the full moon of the third
lunar month, usually during
February and before celebrations at Angor, Champasack celebrates the
traditional Wat Phou Festival at the ruins. Festivities include
elephant
racing, cock fighting and performances of traditional Lao music and
dancing. |
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SERVICES
