Pakse—also spelled Pakxe—sits at the picturesque confluence of the Mekong and Xe Don rivers and serves as the main gateway to southern Laos, including Si Phan Don, the Bolaven Plateau and the wider Champasak region. One of the country’s largest towns, it offers a relaxed riverside atmosphere and a handful of noteworthy cultural sites, such as the serene temple grounds of Wat Tham Fai and the Buddha Sandstone Carving Centre at Wat Chomphet. The most significant religious landmark is Wat Luang, an impressive temple complex now used as a training centre for novice monks. Travellers commonly use Pakse as a comfortable base for exploring nearby highlights—Tad Lo’s cascading waterfalls, the UNESCO-listed pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, local coffee plantations and the remote islands and rural landscapes that characterise Champasak Province. Blending convenience, culture and scenic surroundings, Pakse makes an ideal starting point for adventures across southern Laos.