bsacbob
Administrator (Retired)
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2012
- Location
- Chiang Rai
- Bikes
- Honda CRM-AR 250, Honda CRF 250-L, Suzuki V Strom XT 650 Honda XR250 Baja BMW F650GS
Another area which is easy day loop ride from Phonsavan is the Tham Pha Hospital caves, the site is located N19.50103 E102.87241 only 50km or so from town. You will need a headlamp to explore although the staff on site will loan you one if you forget.
The site is divided in two cave complexes, the first housing a large Buddha.
2015-11-20 09.12.07 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 09.12.24 by bsacbob, on Flickr
If you crawl behind the Buddha you will many murals on the rocks.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 09.21.38 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 09.21.49 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 09.12.43 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Some pretty impressive rock formations inside the first cave.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 09.22.47 by bsacbob, on Flickr
As you descend into the cave an old hospital gurney on display.
2015-11-20 09.25.59 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 09.27.13 by bsacbob, on Flickr
If you look carefully you will see many medical vials around the edges of the floor.
2015-11-20 09.25.15 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 09.27.44 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 09.32.51 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Old army shoe.
2015-11-20 09.46.41 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Lot's of small Buddha's hidden away in crevices, most with heads removed.
2015-11-20 09.23.57 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 09.32.07 by bsacbob, on Flickr
To reach the other cave you have to double back and walk around the mountain to the opening.
2015-11-20 09.38.08 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Once inside the floor is littered with hundreds of vaccination bottles, its hard to walk without standing on them.
2015-11-20 09.39.02 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 09.40.16 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 09.54.30 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 10.01.29 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 10.01.56 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 10.12.48 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 10.16.09 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Various food cans littered about, not sure if these are from the period or just litter.
2015-11-20 10.11.23 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 10.10.45 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 10.06.53 by bsacbob, on Flickr
An enjoyable couple of hours poking around the caves, i was lucky i was the only person visiting.
Not far away on the way back is a lovely old Wat and stupa located at N19.51427 E102.90299 well worth a look at.
2015-11-20 10.37.58 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 10.41.51 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 10.42.18 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 10.45.24 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 10.45.43 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 10.46.00 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Dragon boat in storage.
2015-11-20 10.44.35 by bsacbob, on Flickr
I noticed this suspension bridge on the way back worth exploring next time.
2015-11-20 11.48.25 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 11.34.03 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-20 11.55.35 by bsacbob, on Flickr
War scrap parked inside an army camp on the edge of town.
2015-11-20 12.36.01 by bsacbob, on Flickr
The site is divided in two cave complexes, the first housing a large Buddha.
2015-11-20 09.12.07 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 09.12.24 by bsacbob, on FlickrIf you crawl behind the Buddha you will many murals on the rocks.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 09.21.38 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 09.21.49 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 09.12.43 by bsacbob, on FlickrSome pretty impressive rock formations inside the first cave.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 09.22.47 by bsacbob, on FlickrAs you descend into the cave an old hospital gurney on display.
2015-11-20 09.25.59 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 09.27.13 by bsacbob, on FlickrIf you look carefully you will see many medical vials around the edges of the floor.
2015-11-20 09.25.15 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 09.27.44 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 09.32.51 by bsacbob, on FlickrOld army shoe.
2015-11-20 09.46.41 by bsacbob, on FlickrLot's of small Buddha's hidden away in crevices, most with heads removed.
2015-11-20 09.23.57 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 09.32.07 by bsacbob, on FlickrTo reach the other cave you have to double back and walk around the mountain to the opening.
2015-11-20 09.38.08 by bsacbob, on FlickrOnce inside the floor is littered with hundreds of vaccination bottles, its hard to walk without standing on them.
2015-11-20 09.39.02 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 09.40.16 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 09.54.30 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 10.01.29 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 10.01.56 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 10.12.48 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 10.16.09 by bsacbob, on FlickrVarious food cans littered about, not sure if these are from the period or just litter.
2015-11-20 10.11.23 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 10.10.45 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 10.06.53 by bsacbob, on FlickrAn enjoyable couple of hours poking around the caves, i was lucky i was the only person visiting.
Not far away on the way back is a lovely old Wat and stupa located at N19.51427 E102.90299 well worth a look at.
2015-11-20 10.37.58 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 10.41.51 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 10.42.18 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 10.45.24 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 10.45.43 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 10.46.00 by bsacbob, on FlickrDragon boat in storage.
2015-11-20 10.44.35 by bsacbob, on FlickrI noticed this suspension bridge on the way back worth exploring next time.
2015-11-20 11.48.25 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 11.34.03 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-20 11.55.35 by bsacbob, on FlickrWar scrap parked inside an army camp on the edge of town.
2015-11-20 12.36.01 by bsacbob, on Flickr
