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ASEAN Heritage Parks

Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area

Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area is located in the provinces of Champasak and Salavan and comprises mostly mountainous areas, generally between 300 meters and 500 meters above sea level. This protected area has a joint –international border with Thailand by the Mekong River that connects to Pha Taem National Park of Ubon Ratchathani Province.

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Location
Situated in Salavan and Champasak Provinces, in Southern Lao PDR and by the Mekong River as its western boundary; runs along the Mekong stretch for 80 kilometres; located in Saravanh and Champsak Province and three districts: Sanasomboun, Khongsedon and Nakhonpheng.
Area
87,853 hectares
Date declared as an AHP
19 September 2024
Other international designations
Important Bird Area, National Biodiversity Conservation Area
Habitat types
Terrestrial forests and wetland, with the terrestrial forest composed of mixed deciduous forest, evergreen forest, and dry dipterocarp forest; extensive flats of bare rock or thinly vegetated by grass and shrubs; small caves and sheer cliff faces up to 30 metres; at least three mineral licks.
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Unique Flora

The protected area has critically endangered (Dalbergia cochinchinensis and Dalbergia oliveri) and endangered plant species (Anisoptera costata, Hopea ferrea, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, and Dipterocarpus intricatus). It is also the home of Dialium cochinchineses, Dipterocarpus tuberculatus; Shorea roxburghii, Dipterocarpus obtusifolius,  and Shorea obtusa.

Unique Fauna

Sunda Pangolin  (Manis javanica), Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina), Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis), Southern White-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys), Yellow-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae), Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor), East Asian Porcupine (Hystrix brachyuran), Tiger (Panthera tigris), Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Sambar (Rusa unicolor), Banteng (Bos javanicus), Southern Serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii); Siamese Fireback (Lophura diardi), Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus), Red-collared Woodpecker (Picus rabieri), Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea), Small Pratincole (Glareola lactea), Rufous-winged Buzzard (Butastur liventer), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Bar-bellied Pitta (Pitta eliotii), Swinhoe‟s Minivet (Pericrocotus cantonensis), Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii), Grey-faced Tit Babbler (Macronous kelleyi)

Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area is located about 50 kilometres north of the tourism hub of Pakse. This protected area has cliffs that  have numerous prehistoric cave paintings, which, if similar to the cave paintings in Pa Taem National Park in neighbouring Thailand, date back 3,000-4,000 years ago and explore the traditional way of life of people who once lived here during the prehistoric days. Scenes in paintings include fishing, rice farming, human figures, animals, hands and geometric designs. 

There are a couple of well-known rock pedestals, also referred to as mushroom rocks, which are naturally occurring rocks whose shape, as its name implies, resembles a mushroom or something similar. Notable rock pedestals comprise the “Phou Hin Krong” (fish basket) and the “Pa peung”. The rocks are deformed by erosion and weathering. There are also a number of caves, as well as several unnamed viewpoints overlooking the Mekong River. There is good potential for nature tourism along scenic stretches of the Mekong River.

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