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Laos opens peak top garrison to tourists
Xiangkhouang authorities will develop Phou Kout Mountain, a former military garrison, as a tourist attraction in the province offering diversify travel choices for visitors.
Phou Kout Mountain was a strategic location and the scene of crucial battles between the communist Pathet Lao referred to as the ‘liberation army’ and capitalist, royalist government forces that were ultimately defeated. Known as iron-topped Phou Kout Mountain, it was believed that the army that controlled the summit garrison could control the entire province and even surrounding provinces as the entire Xiangkhouang plateau and other military strategic sites around it could be viewed from the mountain peak, located around 30 km from Phonsavan, the provincial capital.
It was the scene of intense bloody battles to take the peak and also bombing raids by US forces during what was called a ‘secret war’ in Washington. agencies.
The road to the mountain top is paved except for the last few hundred meters which is a trail up to the top.
Just a few pictures
Phou Kout Mountain
The trail up to the top and some of the views
The site has been cleared by UXO people who found 3 big bombs and 30 other items. However, the evidence of heavy fighting is in the 555,764 pieces of metal scrap found on the site
While to road is paved, the bridge in the paved road is not ready and you will have to make a small detour via a local toll bridge (10,000 Kip)
Xiangkhouang authorities will develop Phou Kout Mountain, a former military garrison, as a tourist attraction in the province offering diversify travel choices for visitors.
Phou Kout Mountain was a strategic location and the scene of crucial battles between the communist Pathet Lao referred to as the ‘liberation army’ and capitalist, royalist government forces that were ultimately defeated. Known as iron-topped Phou Kout Mountain, it was believed that the army that controlled the summit garrison could control the entire province and even surrounding provinces as the entire Xiangkhouang plateau and other military strategic sites around it could be viewed from the mountain peak, located around 30 km from Phonsavan, the provincial capital.
It was the scene of intense bloody battles to take the peak and also bombing raids by US forces during what was called a ‘secret war’ in Washington. agencies.
The road to the mountain top is paved except for the last few hundred meters which is a trail up to the top.
Just a few pictures
Phou Kout Mountain
The trail up to the top and some of the views
The site has been cleared by UXO people who found 3 big bombs and 30 other items. However, the evidence of heavy fighting is in the 555,764 pieces of metal scrap found on the site
While to road is paved, the bridge in the paved road is not ready and you will have to make a small detour via a local toll bridge (10,000 Kip)
