Phou Si

Mount Phou Si is a 100-meter-high hill located in the center of Luang Prabang, Laos, renowned for its religious and cultural significance, offering panoramic views of the city and the Mekong River. It is a popular site for both tourists and locals, featuring numerous Buddhist shrines and the golden stupa of Wat Chomsi at its summit.

Mount Phou Si from above (Cre: iStock)

About Phou Si 

Phou Si nestles on the peninsula intersecting the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, just a few kilometers away from the famous Wat Xieng Thong. The mountain's name translates literally to 'sacred mountain', and is valued for its spiritual and geographical significance. From the top of this World Heritage City, you can see beautiful views of the lush mountains and peaceful rivers.

Phou Si and its surroundings are filled with many sacred Buddhist monuments. Close to the mountain are two small temples named Wat Siphoutthabat and Wat Pa Houak, decorated with Buddhist drawings and themes.  

Meanwhile, the mountain hosts two more significant temples, Wat Tham Phousi and Wat Chomsi. Wat Chomsi, the temple situated at the summit of the hills, was built in 1804 during the reign of King Anourouth. The temple and Phou Si symbolize Luang Prabang's spiritual importance.

Wat Chomsi at the summit of Phou Si (Cre: Tourism Luang Prabang)

Discover Phousi

Getting to the Summit

There are multiple ways to reach the summit of Phou Si Laos mountain. However, there are only two entrances where you can purchase tickets: The front has one entrance, and the back has the other.

Regardless of which route you take, you will have to climb stairs on a long mountain road. There are two main routes to refer to:

• The first route is the walk from Sisavangvong Road, near the War Pa Houak Pagoda. This is the simplest and most used route.
• The second route leads from Kingkitsarath Road on the opposite side of the hill. This path is quite zigzag, with several narrow and short staircases. Many tourists frequently go up the first route and down the second route to explore Mount Phou Si.

Stairs leading to the top of Phou Si (Cre: Flickr)

What awaits you on the way

While climbing up the stairs, visitors will get to see images of Buddha statues of various sizes. The yellow, meticulously carved statues bring about a sense of serenity and peace to all encountering them. Halfway up the summit is a small cave temple called Wat Tham Phousi, where you can see many Buddha statues.

Wat Tham Phousi, located halfway to Phou Si’s summit (Cre: RenownTravel)

Visitors who encounter these Buddha images and temples have the chance to pray, leave blessings, and make donations. On each stairwell, you can see people selling blessings such as flowers and incense to leave at the many temples and Buddhas. 

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At the Summit

When you reach the summit, you'll see the golden temple of Wat Chomsi. The temple is a key part of Buddhist life in Luang Prabang.

At the top of the hill, near Wat Chomsi, you can purchase flowers to offer for blessings as well as caged sparrows to release. The Lao people believe that releasing a sparrow will bring you good luck and happiness in the future. However, we recommend that you avoid this activity because the vendors frequently recapture the sparrows and sell them again.

Wat Chomsi, at the summit of Phou Si (Cre: Hotels.com)

While you’re there, you can enjoy the fabulous view over Luang Prabang and the surrounding mountains and rivers. Feel free to take photos of the picturesque scenery of Laos’ ancient capital from the top of Mount Phou Si. Because of the enchanting ambiance, the peak is a favorite site to watch the sunset.

Naturally, that makes the summit quite crowded at this time of the day, with hundreds of people looking for the finest view. To get a good spot to take photos, be sure to come early, around 4.00 - 4.30 p.m. Otherwise, it will be too crowded for a good photo.

How to get to Phou Si

As mentioned, Phou Si sits in the heart of Luang Prabang, near the intersection of the Mekong and Nam Khon River. So it’s fairly easy to reach by walking or taking a tuk-tuk from the city center. Here are some general information about visiting Mount Phou Si:

• Opening hours: From 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Entrance fee: 20,000 Kip (~$1)/person

Tourists visiting Phou Si (Cre: Tourism Luang Prabang)

Some tips when visiting Phou Si

When visiting Phou Si, keep the following tips in mind to make your journey more complete.

• The first step is to remember to check the weather. If it rains, you should cancel your excursion for safety.
• Prepare proper climbing shoes for the terrain. Along with that, wear socks that are higher than the shoe collar to keep insects from biting your feet.
• To respect the sacredness of the site, dress politely. Avoid wearing anything overly exposing.
• Along with that, remember to use sunscreen and lotion to avoid insect bites.
• You should carry water and food in case you get hungry or thirsty.
• It's best to travel with friends or family to make the trip more fun and interesting.

Conclusion

In summary, visiting Phou Si provides a spiritual experience, stunning views, and insight into Luang Prabang's cultural heritage. To plan your visit to Phou Si, reach out to Asia King Travel! With our expertise in organizing exceptional tours, we will ensure your experience is both worthwhile and memorable.

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