Champasak Palace, Former royal residence in Pakse, Laos
Champasak Palace is a five-story concrete structure along Highway 13 in Pakse, featuring French architectural elements throughout its design. Today it operates as a hotel with guest rooms, conference facilities, and a restaurant.
Construction began in 1968 for Prince Chao Boun Oum but remained incomplete when he fled during the communist revolution of 1974. The unfinished building was later converted into a venue for national meetings and eventually became a hotel.
The palace embodied the transition from royal Laotian rule to communist governance, as it shifted from a planned royal residence to a venue for political gatherings.
The palace sits conveniently near downtown Pakse and is easily accessible on foot from most locations. The building offers clear views of the Mekong River and welcomes visitors interested in exploring its architecture and interior spaces.
The building was never completed according to its original plan and was instead adapted after the political transformation, making it an unexpected symbol of the country's reshaping. This shift from private royal use to public gathering space shows how buildings can take on entirely different meanings.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
