Phou Hin Poun National Biodiversity Conservation Area, National biodiversity conservation area in Khammouane Province, Laos.
Phou Hin Poun is a protected area in Khammouane Province featuring limestone mountains with numerous caves and underground rivers. The landscape consists of dramatic peaks, subterranean waterways, and thick evergreen forest that together create a complex ecosystem.
The area was established as a protected zone in 1993 and contains important geological records of Earth's history. Research has led to remarkable discoveries of animal species, including types thought extinct for millions of years.
Local communities living here have kept their traditional ways of life tied to the forest and caves. You can see how they use natural resources while protecting the environment around them.
The best time to visit is November through May when weather is drier and more pleasant. You can travel from Vientiane by bus or car into Khammouane Province and then explore the caves and forest trails.
The area is home to the Laotian rock rat, a rare animal found nowhere else in the world. This discovery shows how much about the wildlife here remains unknown.
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