Pakse - Pakse

Pakse, also Pakxe, (ປາກ ເຊ, french:Pakxé) is with 119,848 inhabitants (as of 2010) the third largest city of Laos and the capital of the Lao province Champasak In the south of the country.

background

Pakse is the third largest city in the country after Viangchan (Vientiane) and Savannakhét with approx. 50,000 inhabitants and the center of the 4 southern provinces, both culturally and economically. Almost all tourists who come through the south of the country have to pass through Pakse, as do all goods to or from the southern provinces.

Pakse is at the mouth of the Xedon (also Sedon) in the Mekong, therefore the name: pak For mouth and se as a short form for the river Sedon. Administratively, the city lies exclusively on the left side of the Mekong, with the villages on the other side of the Mekong growing strongly since the construction of the Japanese Bridge. Pakse is surrounded by low mountains mainly to the southwest and northeast.

getting there

By plane

Pakse has the third international airport in Laos to date. There are connections to Vientiane (daily, US $ 120, -), Savannakhet, Luang Prabang (several times a week, US $ 155), Siem Reap (several times a week, US $ 135.-), Bangkok (several times a week, US $ 120, -) and Ho Chi Minh City. The airport is 2 km outside the city over the old French iron bridge to the west. A jumbo to the airport costs around 20,000 kip.

By train

Pakse is not connected to any rail network. Laos currently has only a 3-kilometer railway line, but it is located near Vientiane, with the closest railway line starting in Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand and offers direct connections (also night connections in sleeping cars) to Bangkok.

By bus

Pakse is via public buses going north to Savannakhet as well Xeno, Thakhek, Pakxan and Vientiane, as well as in an easterly direction Salavan, Sekong and AttapeuPlease note that the public bus stations are located on the northern (northern kilometer 10) and southern (southern kilometer 8) outskirts of the city. However, depending on the route, the buses often stop in the city center.

Private bus companies drive to Vientiane (also as night and sleeper buses), Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand as well Stung Treng and Siem Reap in CambodiaThe private buses stop at a bus station between the French bridge and the mouth of the Xedon, north of the evening market ("behind") or east of the evening market ("right next to it").

In the street

An individual journey is possible without further ado, however, the Laotian traffic culture must be taken into account, in particular that large vehicles practically have right of way and particular care must be taken when overtaking in the opposite direction.

Pakse is located on National Road 13, which runs in the north-south direction, the most important road in the country. There is a direct road connection, including over the Japanese Bridge (Mekong Bridge) to the western border crossing Vangtao to Thailand and further on Ubon Ratchathani tied up. In addition, the national road 18 leads to Pakxong in the Bolaven Plateau.

By boat

A trip south from Pakse is only up to the Four thousand islands possible, as the Mekong Falls are to the south of it. To the north a journey is via Savannakhet, Thakhek, Pakxan, Vientiane Luang Prabang and beyond possible. However, the providers of long ship tours are still limited.Wat Phou can already be reached on a privately booked boat tour.

mobility

Tuktuks (three-wheeled motorcycle taxis) can be used to get around the city.

Tourist Attractions

Churches and temples

Pakse has 2 imposing temples. Wat Luang southeast of the French Bridge, Wat Tham Fai southeast of the Russian Bridge, and Pakse also has a Catholic church in the city center.

Castle / palace

At the Russian Bridge is the Champasak Palace, which was planned as the residence of the dissolved Kingdom of Champasak and is now used as a hotel.

Buildings

That stands near the mouth of the Xedon Governor's Office, the quasi government building of the Champasak province.

Monuments

On the Sanam Deng (the Red Square) there is one that can be found in many places in Laos Revolution Monument.

Museums

This is located along street 13 History Museum of the Champasak Province.

Streets and squares

In Pakse, national road 13 crosses over the French bridge and a bypass road crosses the same over the Russian bridge. The bypass road has been expanded to four lanes from the city center via the morning market and the university up to kilometer 8. At kilometer 8, it crosses road 13 again and joins national road 18, which there from 13 to the east Pakxong and Bolaven Plateau is branched off.

Parks

Pakse City Park is located approximately at the southern kilometer 7 of National Road 13.

activities

Sports

Like many Pakse residents: jogging on the Japanese bridge over the Mekong.

An outdoor swimming pool, although not open regularly, is located a few hundred meters north of the city park Champasak Stadiumin which the Champasak Games took place, is located at the southern kilometer 1 of the national road 13.

Culture

Regular events

Annually at the end of Lent in late October take place on the Xedon below the French Bridge Dragon boat race instead of.

media

Opposite the evening market is in the Pakse radio station Pakse radio produced, which is also broadcast from there and at some times of the day is broadcast over loudspeakers across the street and the square between the radio station and the evening market.

shop

Pakse has an evening market on south kilometer 2 of Road 13, a morning market on the Japanese Bridge and a mall next to the hospital.

kitchen

Cheap

You can get cheap meals along the Mekong embankment promenade and on national road 13, especially on the first 500m east of the French Bridge (the latter is in the immediate city center).

medium

Good, but medium-priced food for a European traveler can be found in Pakse Hotel eat.

Upscale

Fine dining is in the hotels Champasak Palace Hotel as well as at the 3 hotels at the Japanese Bridge.

nightlife

There are nightclubs between National Road 13 and the bypass road at kilometer 2.

accommodation

Cheap

There are numerous pensions in the side streets for cheap overnight stays.

medium

There are still medium-priced accommodations in the historic city center.

Upscale

Here are the options Champasak Palace Hotel as well as the 3 hotels at the Japanese Bridge.

Learn

Work

Working without a government permit, i.e. without a corresponding visa, is not advisable in Laos.

security

Pakse and Laos are very safe in comparison to Southeast Asia. If one moves in typical tourist areas of the city, normal caution should be taken with valuables.

health

Between Governor's Office and shopping center there are 2 hospitals. One is the second largest hospital in the country, the Hospital of Champasak Province. The other is a new clinic built for tourists and paying Laotians.

Practical advice

A police station is located between the Russian Bridge and the Catholic Church. In addition, the sentry box on the north side of the Japanese Bridge is often manned, at least at night when the bridge is closed to all traffic.

There is a post between Governor's Office and French Bridge.

A Laotian bank with a counter and ATMs (including Visa and MasterCard) is located between the post office and the French bridge.

trips

Excursions outside of the city are possible to:

• UNESCO World Heritage Site Temple District of Wat Phou and Champasak Cultural Landscape (40 kilometers south of Pakse)
• Vat Oumoung, a northeastern extension of Angkor Wat and Wat Phou (40 kilometers south of Pakse)
• Four thousand islands (150 kilometers south of Pakse)
• Mekong falls (160 kilometers south of Pakse)
• Bolaven Plateau (20 kilometers east of Pakse)
• around 20 meters high, seated Buddha figure (7 kilometers north of Pakse)
• Ban Xa Phai and Don Kho, weaving (15 kilometers northwest of Pakse)
• Ban Nong Bung, wood carvings (43 kilometers southeast of Pakse)
• Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area (35 kilometers northwest of Pakse)
• Xe Pian National Protected Area (55 kilometers south of Pakse)
• Dong Hua Sao National Protected Area (15 kilometers southeast of Pakse)

literature

Web links