Phiang District

Boun Kong Khao Yai (Rice) Festival

The Festival is organized every year end of Januaryin Somsavanh village, Phiang district about 37 km south of Sayabouli town. The festival includes many activities such as market fair, rice procession, elephant procession, drum beating contest, singing contests, traditional performance and many other activities designed to celebrate the rice harvest in this region renowned for the importance of its rice fields and farmlands.

Tham Arlam (Monastery Cave)

Tham Arlam cave is about 1 Km south of Somsavath village. There, turn right to the cliff about 500 m away. The east faces the fields and Tham Permpherm cave, the west faces Tham Phaleusi (hermit cave). Tham Arlam is very beautiful and ressembles 4 monastery posts. Sunshine enters the cave during some times of the day. On December 1, 2007 it was declared a major tourist site of Phiang district.

Big Taekha Tree

The giant tree is located about 1.5 Km away from Tham Arlam (monastery cave). When reaching Vangkwaiyxae (buffalo bathing pond) then turn right to the west and continue your way for about 1 Km. You will see the biggest Taekha Tree which circumference can be measured by 9 people’s arms stretching around it (about 14 m). The tree stretches about 10m from roots to the first branch. Its roots shoot from land surface and weave around each other and in the gaps left by stones. In addition, there are numerous huge trees that grow in the thick forest nearby.

Hot Springs

En route from the giant Taekha tree to the Moun river, at about 1,5 Km, you will reach reach Paklak. There, turn left and continue for about 40 m, then turn right about 10 m and you will reach the Hot Springs which flow towards the Moun river.

Tham Phawai (Rattan Cave)

Located about 3.5 Km south of Somsavath, you will reach the way to Tham Phalai (Cave of a thousand Buddhas). The cave was partly destroyed in 1988 and Buddha images vanished. Set in deep forest, the cave occasionally becomes lit by sunlights. In 1995, a road to the caves was built leading to a location known locally as Tham Phawai, the Rattan Cave.

Nam Poun (Natural Springs)

200m south of Tham Phawai (rattan cave), turn right and, at about 10m, you will see Nam Poun, a clean and clear spring that flows into the Yam river. Mine surveyors working in the area cleared the rock that were hiding the springs making it accessible to the public.