Pak Ou Caves
Mekong River near Pak Ou village, Laos
The Pak Ou caves hold thousands of Buddha images left by devotees, with the lower cavern opening towards the river. A staircase leads to the darker upper cave, giving the visit two distinct spaces to explore. The journey along the Mekong is part of the appeal, though road access followed by a short boat crossing is another option. Confirm the route and inclusions with your operator, wear shoes with grip and treat the caves as sacred sites.