Panoramic view from the Mekong River looking southwest to Phou Kao in Champasak Province

Photographer

Sage, William

Date

• November 1969

Summary

• This photograph was taken from the ferry crossing on the Mekong River's east bank at Km 30, Route 13 south of the city of Pakxe (WB 8473, L-11) in Champasak Province. The view shows the hills that are behind the Wat Phou temple ruins. The range's highest point, about center here, is Phou Kao (meaning "old or sacred mountain" in Lao), about 1,416 meters high. The mountains are covered in forests and vegetation, which is very lush and green since the rainy season has just ended. The Mekong River similarly runs high and is muddy because the monsoon season has filled it with new sediment following the rains. At the founding of the temple complex by Hindu monks, circa the 5th century, Phou Kao was called Mount Lingaparvata.