The meek city of Pakse provides the main thoroughfare to various destinations in Southern Laos, such as the magnificent Bolaven Plateau, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wat Phu, and even the neighboring country Thailand. The city maybe the largest in Champasak province, but it exudes a laid-back and rustic atmosphere that invites people to just slow down and look around. The few remaining buildings of French colonial architecture contribute to the charming traditional atmosphere in town. An ideal place to spend time in is the Champasak Historical Heritage Museum, found near a high-end hotel. The gallery displays numerous artifacts from the fallen kingdom, as well as traditional garbs from the local ethnic groups residing in the vicinity. There are also towering wats, notably Luang and Tham Fai which are Pakse's tallest.
