The Blue lake and Buddha cave north east of Thakhek.

[Moto-Rex]

The Blue lake and Buddha cave north east of Thakhek.

This is a good detour for anyone riding hwy 13, or any riders looking for short and interesting ride out of Thakhek.

The turn off on hwy 13, is approximately 30km north of Thakhek,..you cant miss the sign.

There’s plenty of signs showing the way, this is where you turn off to the Buddha cave.

Before you get to the cave you ride through one of the nicest little villages in Laos.

Over this bridge is Ban Thami.

Once through Ban Thami it’s a nice bush ride to the cave.

The cave isn’t all that big, but interesting enough. Photos of the Buddha itself are not allowed.

After visiting the cave and the cave minders, it was a photo stop in Ban Thami, then back across the bridge and on to the blue lake.

Outback Laos.

Close up of the blue water in the blue lake.

It’s a really nice area to check out.

Moto-Rex

 

[brian_bkk]

Nice one Rex.

On the list next time in the area

 

[David]

Nice one Rex...yeah that Buddha cave is a bit special alright.

Some info I was able to dig out

The Tham Pa Fa Cave was only discovered in 2004 by a villager looking for bats to eat. Following the “bat trail” he found the entrance to a small cave & was stunned to find inside a cavern with 229 Buddha images.

The images are believed to be from the Sikhottabong and the Lane Xang era, with to be of Khmer and Vietnamese origin.

There are also palm leaf manuscripts written in ancient Lao script, Lane Xang-style dharma, Lanna-style dharma, Pali dharma and ancient Khmer scripts present. How these items came to be in the cave is a mystery.

Extremely proud of their new found heritage he villagers guard the cave and its sacred Buddha statues 24 hours a day; & photography is strictly forbidden.

Amazing Laos indeed.

Thanks for the sweet report & contribution.

 

[Moto-Rex]

"The Tham Pa Fa Cave was only discovered in 2004 by a villager looking for bats to eat. Following the “bat trail” he found the entrance to a small cave & was stunned to find inside a cavern with 229 Buddha images".

So that's why some of the signs called it the "Bat Cave"

 

[Cycle Wallah]

The Blue lake and Buddha cave north east of Thakhek.

This is a good detour for anyone riding hwy 13, or any riders looking for short and interesting ride out of Thakhek.

The turn off on hwy 13, is approximately 30km north of Thakhek,..you cant miss the sign.

There’s plenty of signs showing the way, this is where you turn off to the Buddha cave.

Before you get to the cave you ride through one of the nicest little villages in Laos.

Over this bridge is Ban Thami.

Once through Ban Thami it’s a nice bush ride to the cave.

The cave isn’t all that big, but interesting enough. Photos of the Buddha itself are not allowed.

After visiting the cave and the cave minders, it was a photo stop in Ban Thami, then back across the bridge and on to the blue lake.

Outback Laos.

Close up of the blue water in the blue lake.

It’s a really nice area to check out.

Moto-Rex

Will check it out next time that way.

 

[Oddvar]

The cave, 17.47660 104.85163

 

[Ian Bungy]

Very cool. Well Done.

 

[ianyonok]

Very interesting, Thank you.

 

[brian_bkk]

The Blue lake and Buddha cave north east of Thakhek.

This is a good detour for anyone riding hwy 13, or any riders looking for short and interesting ride out of Thakhek.

The turn off on hwy 13, is approximately 30km north of Thakhek,..you cant miss the sign.

There’s plenty of signs showing the way, this is where you turn off to the Buddha cave.

Before you get to the cave you ride through one of the nicest little villages in Laos.

Over this bridge is Ban Thami.

Once through Ban Thami it’s a nice bush ride to the cave.

The cave isn’t all that big, but interesting enough. Photos of the Buddha itself are not allowed.

After visiting the cave and the cave minders, it was a photo stop in Ban Thami, then back across the bridge and on to the blue lake.

Outback Laos.

Close up of the blue water in the blue lake.

It’s a really nice area to check out.

Moto-Rex

These pics remind me of the crossing leaving muang fueng heading towards 13 and hinhoep via the dirt way.