Phou si, Sacred hill in Luang Prabang, Laos.
Phou Si is a 100-meter hill positioned between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers in the heart of Luang Prabang's old town. A golden stupa marks the summit, and multiple temples and shrines are scattered across its slopes.
King Anourat ordered the construction of the golden stupa That Chomsi at the summit, completed in 1804. This building turned the hill into an important religious center for the city.
Buddhist temples and shrines sit at different levels on the hill, including a cave shrine called Wat Tham Phou Si where Buddha statues display various hand gestures. These sacred spaces remain active places where local people come to pray and make offerings.
Two separate staircases lead to the summit: one with 328 steps from Sisavangvong Road and another with 355 steps from Thanon Phousi Street. Wear sturdy shoes and be ready for a demanding climb.
From the summit, visitors can see where the two rivers meet and spot the surrounding mountain ranges on clear days. This makes it a natural vantage point over the entire region.
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