It is a quiet town, which is mostly used as a stopover by tourists passing into Laos and Thailand, and offers not much for people looking for attractions.
But this little town has its charm for visitors, including the rich colonial architecture, lovely old Buddhist temples, and a chance to experience the laid-back life along the Mekong including enjoying the beautiful sunsets.
Wat Xayaphoum
Wat Xayaphoum is a Buddhist temple located on the banks of the Mekong River in the city of Savannakhet in Laos. It is one of the prominent temples in the town known for its grand architecture and cultural celebrations, the most famous ones being The Lao New Year celebration and the Boat Racing Festival. The temple is one of the must-visit attractions for tourists visiting Savannakhet.
Wat Xayaphoum was built in 1542, and it is one of the few remaining temples in Laos of that time depicting rich architecture. The congregation hall, which houses a large image of Buddha, is royally decorated with intricate carvings and paintings. The complex consists of many buildings including residential buildings for monks, a library, many smaller shrines and stupas.
Savannakhet Night Market
The night market in Savannakhet, Laos is located close to downtown on the banks of the Mekong River. It is a famous daily night market worth visiting for tourists while exploring Savannakhet for tasting some delicious local street food enjoying the views of the Mekong.
Some of the recommended dishes to try at Savannakhet Night Market are all types of noodles – flat, fried, egg and wheat kinds combined with vegetables, meat and seafood. The street is also famous for BBQs, which are very cheap and delicious. Also, try the smoothies.
Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum
Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum is the only museum dedicated to a dinosaur in Laos. It is one of the attractions worth checking out by tourists exploring Savannakhet. It houses the 110-million-year-old dinosaur bone fossils excavated from the nearby Xonbouly district in 1936 by a French archaeologist Josue Hoffert. The remains belong to three species of dinosaur including Pode, Iguanodon and Sauropoda.
Dong Notad Forest
Dong Notad is a part of a reserved semi-evergreen forest area located outside the city of Savannakhet in Laos. It is known for several trips and hikes around offered by the tourist office to travelers. Two villages are surrounding forests, home to some ethnic communities. Tourists can enjoy cycling, guided hiking tours in the mountains, and also experience unique stays in eco-lodges run by the conservation centre. The tour prices starts at about 80 USD per person.
According to holidify.com
