Tham Pa Fa (Buddha Cave)
Tham Pa Fa (Buddha Cave)
3.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
54 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
13
Average
13
Poor
9
Terrible
5
Nicola S
New Zealand82 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Was so peaceful there. You come off main road in to dirt road. You have to pay 3000kip to park bike another 3000 for Lao skirt for women and then entry to cave. Some steps up to cave. Very beautiful inside. No photos allowed.
Written 1 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Epic-Traveller
Rushden, UK4,475 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
Unfortunately one isn’t allowed to take pictures or film inside the Buddha Cave. I am almost certain that this is to do with both the fact that some religious folk believe taking a picture of them steals part of their soul and that it is actually someone’s home.
Some of the Hmong Tribespeople believe this and I assumed that the lady and gentleman inside were Hmong tribespeople as the lady appeared to be wearing traditional Hmong dress.
I sat in here and cooled down for a short time as the kind lady provided me with a fan - and in 40C heat outside it was most welcome.
You have to remove your shoes and climb through a very tiny hole to enter the cave which, if you’re on the Thakhek Loop and have a travel bag on your back, is not the easiest thing in the world. Watch out for the concrete steps on the way down. I think there’s flint in the concrete and it was certainly very uncomfortable stepping on it.
There’s plenty of Buddha statues dotted around the small cave. If you go toward the metal fence and look right you will see a makeshift rebar cage covering a hole. Look down this and you can see a lovely clear, green pool of water.
I spent about half an hour in total in here, I was the only tourist until I ascended the stairs and someone else came in.
Some of the Hmong Tribespeople believe this and I assumed that the lady and gentleman inside were Hmong tribespeople as the lady appeared to be wearing traditional Hmong dress.
I sat in here and cooled down for a short time as the kind lady provided me with a fan - and in 40C heat outside it was most welcome.
You have to remove your shoes and climb through a very tiny hole to enter the cave which, if you’re on the Thakhek Loop and have a travel bag on your back, is not the easiest thing in the world. Watch out for the concrete steps on the way down. I think there’s flint in the concrete and it was certainly very uncomfortable stepping on it.
There’s plenty of Buddha statues dotted around the small cave. If you go toward the metal fence and look right you will see a makeshift rebar cage covering a hole. Look down this and you can see a lovely clear, green pool of water.
I spent about half an hour in total in here, I was the only tourist until I ascended the stairs and someone else came in.
Written 2 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,564 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Tham Pha is a peaceful cave which is located about 3 kms from the village of Nong Tang, which is also known as Muang Sui. It is about 50 kms from Phonsavan, the provincial capital along a sealed road. Set in an attractive area of forest and limestone peaks, it will appeal to both natural and history lovers.
The main attraction inside is a huge seated Buddha, which is alleged to be up to 1200 years old. It is in very good condition, so I suggest it has been restored many times or is not as oid as is claimed. There is also a maze of well-lit tunnels for visitors to explore, which contains some lovely limestone formations, antique Buddha statues and occasional wall paintings. Entrance costs a reasonable 10,000 kip.
The main attraction inside is a huge seated Buddha, which is alleged to be up to 1200 years old. It is in very good condition, so I suggest it has been restored many times or is not as oid as is claimed. There is also a maze of well-lit tunnels for visitors to explore, which contains some lovely limestone formations, antique Buddha statues and occasional wall paintings. Entrance costs a reasonable 10,000 kip.
Written 6 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LAO HORIZONS TRAVEL
Vientiane, Laos148 contributions
Apr 2017 • Business
#ThamPha (Buddha cave) and #Tham PaFa is located approximately 12km away from #Thakhek. There are two ways to reach the Buddha and Thampafa caves.
I would recommend you not to turn left at big sign on the left, this is after 4km from Thakhek, but go on along #12 road approximately over 6 km away from #Thakhek and make the left turn over there, This road was just finished 2 weeks ago and there is no sign which directs you to the cave at the moment. however, it will take you approximately 15mn to the entrance of the Buddha cave. when you follow this road, it will lead you to cross the new concrete bridge, then you will meet T-junction, from there make the right turn and follow that main dirt road you will reach to the parking lodge as well as souvenir stores. From there to the Buddha and Tham PaFa cave will take you about 5mn walk. Entrance fee is 5000K/person. Please bear in mind that women is considered to wear Sinh(local traditional skirt) and photo is prohibited inside the cave, what a pity.
I would recommend you not to turn left at big sign on the left, this is after 4km from Thakhek, but go on along #12 road approximately over 6 km away from #Thakhek and make the left turn over there, This road was just finished 2 weeks ago and there is no sign which directs you to the cave at the moment. however, it will take you approximately 15mn to the entrance of the Buddha cave. when you follow this road, it will lead you to cross the new concrete bridge, then you will meet T-junction, from there make the right turn and follow that main dirt road you will reach to the parking lodge as well as souvenir stores. From there to the Buddha and Tham PaFa cave will take you about 5mn walk. Entrance fee is 5000K/person. Please bear in mind that women is considered to wear Sinh(local traditional skirt) and photo is prohibited inside the cave, what a pity.
Written 2 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annabelle L
Honiara, Solomon Islands62 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
No photographs inside is a downside. But then again, I sat inside for awhile - there were around 10 locals with various offerings for sale - they seemed pretty comfortable, and it was intriguing watching other Lao people come in and offer their prayers/alms. No pressure, but not a lot of freedom to explore either! I did get my prayer and my blessing (for a nominal 2,000 kip). Certainly a genuine Lao experience of Buddhism.
Written 3 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tilda102
Henstedt-Ulzburg, Germany61 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
We had to pay 3.000 Kip for parking.. I had to pay 3.000 Kip for borrow a skirt.. And 5.000 Kip/each for entry. Not worth it for me, I think it wasn't much to see really but maybe if you like to watch when some people pray you going to like it. But no I think it was not worth the money.
PS. it's so pretty nature on the way there so I would drive there on the roads only because of the nature 😍
PS. it's so pretty nature on the way there so I would drive there on the roads only because of the nature 😍
Written 25 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Enric O
El Masnou, Spain58 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
After paying 3000kip for the parking and 5000kip each for the cave entrance they tell my girlfriend she has to rent a lao skirt because is a lao tradition, for 3000 kip extra. First, a cave discovered on 2004 can't have many ancestral lao traditions and second, we've been tricked in Laos enough. We said or no skirt or no entrance. Ended up accepting and we didn't rent any skirt. Good thst we didn't, because the Buddha cave has a family living inside and is basically a room. Seen in 30 seconds.
Written 9 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wouter c
104 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
The buddha cave/temple itself is not very impressive. Small cave with some buddha statues. You can take a boat trip through the 130mtr cave below for a small price. Nice to do but this is minor league for caves...
Written 21 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex S
Deventer, The Netherlands551 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
This cave is beautiful and surprising. You don't know what to expect because there are just a few pictures on the internet. The reason for that: it's not allowed to take pictures inside the cave.
Written 5 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Howard B
Beijing, China4 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
Go to other caves. not worth the long trip out. terrible road to drive on with a scooter and really it's only about a 30 minute visit. Don't bother.
Written 14 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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