Tham Pa Fa (Buddha Cave)
Tham Pa Fa (Buddha Cave)
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
54 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
13
Average
13
Poor
9
Terrible
5
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,537 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.
Denise H
Hobart, Australia27 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
The Buddha cave is so small, and you can't see much of it. Just near the car park, there is a sign for another cave, Paseum Cave. The sign says 800m, but there are multiple tracks and not signs after the first one. We wandered afound in the bush for about? 40 minutes until we eventually found it. The key is to take the LEFT fork, and you will come to a bridge which leads to a small cave snd a pretty lake. KEEP GOING! About 20m further on, still on the left, is the cave. It is quite large and has a lake inside. You need to climb over some rocks to get inside, but it's worth it,
On the way back, just near the local market, an Austrian man named Thomas makes the most amazing pizzas. For 40,000k, they are delicious and great value. This Laotioan wife makes fantastic ice cream too. This was the highlight of our cave visit!
On the way back, just near the local market, an Austrian man named Thomas makes the most amazing pizzas. For 40,000k, they are delicious and great value. This Laotioan wife makes fantastic ice cream too. This was the highlight of our cave visit!
Written 2 April 2016
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.
Bernie R
Vientiane65 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
On "Cave Alley" just outside thakaek makes it and other caves easy and quick. Nothing special about the Buddha Cave except it was recently discovered. I liked the marked, where a I bought a wooden knife (good luck) from a tree only found in these parts. Nice nature trail to lake and a resurgent cave. Can go fishing and picnicing. Nice but not spectacular but easy to reach
Written 17 August 2015
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.
mischu w
Bernese Oberland, Switzerland3 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
The cave was layed out with carpets and people were praying. There were lots of Buddhas but they all had price tags on them and we had the impression that there were none of the Buddhas left, that were originally found in the cave. Very disapointing.
Written 1 April 2015
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.
Susan583
Amsterdam, The Netherlands15 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
We had to pay before we could enter the cave. When we got in, it appeared to be a shop with a lot of buddha statues for sale an not the real 'bouddha cave' probably. This was very disapointing. The staff was not helpfull to show us where to go for the real buddha's. Maybe we should have taken a boat into the cave, but there was no one who could give us some information so we ended up leaving the place having paid to enter a silly shop.
Written 18 March 2015
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.
rgbudge
Brisbane, Australia67 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
Only moderately interesting, no photos or video allowed. Road to cave horrendous, largest potholes have seen anywhere in the world.
Written 1 December 2014
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.
Nicola S
New Zealand79 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, UK4,527 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.
LAO HORIZONS TRAVEL
Vientiane, Laos151 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.
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