Sacred Hill of Laos

The Phu Si or the Sacred Hill is the spiritual centre of Luang Prabang. The 100 meter hillock towers the skyline of this UNESCO heritage site. The top of the hill is flanked by the golden spires of That Chomsi built in 1804. This is the first glimpse of the city you receive upon arrival. The hill can be accessed by climbing 355 steps which bring you to the top. Reclining Buddha and other Buddha statues adorn the unkempt shrine of Wat Pa Huak half way through the climb. Excellent murals depicting historic scenes along the Mekong River decorate the walls of That Chomsi. The real beauty of the hill is the vistas it offers from the top. You will be rewarded with 360 degree panorama of Luang Prabang dotted with temples and green expanse of fields. Catching a sunset from the top is on the list of every traveller and the small hill gets pretty crowded in the evening. Best is to ascend the hill in the wee hours of the morning, stunning sunrise from the top will be worth the effort!