Mount Phou Si - The Sacred Mountain

Luang Prabang is built around a pagoda-topped hill called Phou Si, literally "Sacred Mountain".

Mount Phu Si

Early in the morning, we headed out to climb the steep steps to the top of the hill. Along the way we passed some dozen or so shrines, before reaching the main golden temple pagoda at the peak.

big tree on the mountain

It was early, but it was already hot, and the humidity in the dense forests on the slopes of the mountain made it feel even hotter. The moss-covered steps were slippery, and we climbed slowly up the sacred mountain.

steps leading up the mountain

Ancient legends tell of how the mountain was moved to Laos from India by Hanuman, the Monkey King from the Ramayana, the Hindu epic.

steep, mossy steps

I was sweaty, and a little out of breath. I hope the the views from the top will be worth it!

early morning on the mountain

Finally, we reached the top of the hill. Mount Phou Si is topped by a golden stupa, or pagoda, and is the site of a tiny Buddhist temple. During the Lao New Year (Songkran, in Thailand), local people climb the hill very early in the morning to offer alms to the monks, the only day of the year in which the alms-giving ceremony is held at the top of Mount Phou Si.

temple shrine on top of the mountain

The mountain is the highest point in the city, and looks down over Luang Prabang and its surrounding rivers and mountains. Mount Phou Si is especially popular at sunrise and sunset, though we didn't get the chance to visit at those times.

views over the river

Maybe that's for the best though, for we nearly had the whole mountain to ourselves! It had been so humid and muggy as we hiked up the side of the mountain, and the cool breezes were a very welcome relief.

the pagoda at the top of the hill

Heading back down the hill, we passed even more shrines. There are two paths to reach the top, so we took one way up and the other way back down. The way down was actually more interesting as there was much more to see along the way.

Buddha statues

As we headed down the side of the hill, we passed dozens of Buddha statues, including a standing Buddha...

tall standing Buddha

... a large reclining Buddha...

reclining Buddha

... and a statue of Buddha teaching his disciples.

Buddha with his disciples

Nearly back down in the town, we came to a small cave shrine, partially built into the natural rock of the hillside.

cave shrine

Ducking down into a very low opening, we came to a small shrine, the air thick with incense and candle smoke.

shrine underground