A stunning khoun kong leng lake in Khammouane
A stunning khoun kong leng lake in Khammouane
Khammouane

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Khammouane

Khammouane is located in central Laos bordering Bolikhamxay and Savannakhet Provinces. Khammouane covers about 16,000 square kilometers and has a population of almost 400,000. Most of them are engaged in agriculture. It is framed by the Mekong River Valley to the West and the Annamite Mountain Range to the East, which separates Khammouane from Vietnam.

The provincial capital of Khammouane Province, Thakhek, is located on the banks of the Mekong River. Much of its architecture can be traced to French colonial construction in the early 20th century. The town’s name in Lao means ‘guest landing’ (‘Khek’ literally means guest), a reference to its earlier role as a boat landing for foreign traders. The center of the old town can be found around the fountain square near the river where many old buildings still remain.

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Brief History

Khammouane, translates to happy gold in english, is believed to be named after gold deposits were found there centuries ago. Khammouane’s history can be traced back to the early 6th-8th centuries when it was part of the Sikhottabong Kingdom. Remnants of the Kingdom like the Great Wall (Kampeng Nyak), Meuang, Phone Stupa, and Sikhottabong Stupa still remains and can be visited. The province was once a place of refuge for a succession of ethnic groups that flee from the Haw invasions during the 19th century.

An abandoned railway track that was to connect Vietnam with Laos was not completed. Today, only the bridge over the Nam Don River remains of the railway track.

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Overall Weather

Khammouane has three seasons:

- Rainy Season (approximately May to October). Heavy rains usually occur during this period of the year, rejuvenating the dense forests with water which sustains the rare wildlife species for nine months. The average temperature ranges from 27C to 32C.

- Cool-dry (approximately November to January). This season occurs after the rainy season where the weather remains dry and cool, making it the best time to visit this province. The temperate during this season might drop as low as 19C with an average temperature of around 28C. 

- Hot-dry (approximately February to April). The temperature during this season could soar as high as 40C with an average temperature ranging from 34C to 36C. One could enjoy a refreshing dip in the water bodies there like Sa Nam Waterfall, Kong Leng Lake, KongLor Cave, and The Farang.

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Public Bus details in Khammouane

Transportation from Provinces to Khammouane

Departure

Destination

Kind of Bus

Distance

Departure Time

price*

Remark

Vientiane
Capital

Thakek

Express

353 Km

04:00am

05:00am

06:00am

12:00pm

13:00pm

17:15pm

70,000 Kip

Daily

VIP

80,000 Kip

Vientiane

Capital

Konglor

 

Local/Express

 

 

10:00am

80,000 Kip

 

Vientiane

Capital

Nakay

Local/Express

420 Km

17:00pm

90,000 Kip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation from Khammouane to Provinces

Departure

Destination

Kind of Bus

Distance

Departure Time

price*

Remark

Khammouane

Vientiane

Express

353 Km

Every hour

09:15am

60,000 Kip

 

VIP

80,000 Kip

Paksun

-

-

Every hour

50,000 Kip

 

Savannakhet

-

116 Km

09:15

80,000 Kip

 

Salavanh

-

319 Km

An hour per bus overnight

85,000 Kip

 

Pakse

VIP

322 Km

Every hour from 08:30am

70,000 Kip

 

Express

60,000 Kip

Sekong

 

461 Km

15:30pm

16:30pm

17:30pm

18:30pm

19:30pm

20:30pm

21:30pm

22:30pm

75,000 Kip

 

Attapue

 

485 Km

15:30pm

16:30pm

17:30pm

18:30pm

19:30pm

20:30pm

21:30pm

22:30pm

85,000 Kip

 


 

 

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Getting Around in Khammouane

Getting around in Khammouane

In Khammouane, tuk tuks are a good way to go around the town to explore and see the various attractions. Motorbikes and bicycles can be rented to travel the towns and districts. Sawng taews are also another good way to travel around the towns which can be boarded at bus stations which usually leave fully in the morning.