In short
- Tham Ting is the lower cave, filled with natural light.
- Tham Theung is the upper cave, located up 200 stone steps.
- You need a flashlight for the 50-meter deep upper cave.
In this article
When you arrive at the Pak Ou Caves dock, you have two areas to explore. Most visitors start at the lower cave right off the boat, then climb the jungle stairs to the upper cave. Both shrines contain historic Buddha statues but offer completely different environments.
What is Tham Ting?
Tham Ting is the main, naturally lit lower cave located just above the Mekong River.
This is the primary shrine where boats drop off passengers. It features a wide cliffside entrance packed with thousands of small Buddha statues. Because daylight fills the cavern, it is the most popular spot for photography. You can shoot from inside the cave looking out to capture the statues silhouetted against the river.
What is Tham Theung?
Tham Theung is the deeper, pitch-black upper cave located higher up the limestone cliff.
To reach this cavern, you must climb a steep staircase through the jungle. An ornate carved wooden doorway marks the entrance. Inside, the cave extends 50 meters deep into the rock. It houses hundreds of older, dust-covered Buddha statues in complete darkness.
How many stairs separate Tham Ting and Tham Theung?
You must climb approximately 200 stone steps to reach Tham Theung from the lower area.
The jungle staircase can be slippery when wet, and the climb gets hot during the day. Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip. Bring bottled water to stay hydrated in the high humidity.
What do I need to bring for each cave?
You only need basic walking gear for the lower cave, but a flashlight is mandatory for the upper cave.
Tham Ting gets plenty of sunlight from the river opening. Tham Theung has zero natural light once you step past the entrance door. A phone torch works, but a dedicated flashlight is better for seeing the older statues in the 50-meter deep cavern.
How much time is needed for Tham Ting vs Tham Theung?
Plan for about 25 minutes at the lower cave and 30 minutes for the upper cave, including the climb.
You will need about 15 minutes at the cliffside entrance shrine and 10 minutes at the main altar in Tham Ting. For Tham Theung, allocate 10 minutes for the 200-step climb, 5 minutes at the carved doorway, and 15 minutes inside the dark shrine room.
Are the dress codes and rules different?
No, the same strict rules apply to both Tham Ting and Tham Theung.
Because the entire complex is a sacred Buddhist site, you must dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Do not touch or move any Buddha statues in either cave. You must also remove your footwear if you enter specific designated shrine platforms.
Questions travellers ask
Which cave has more Buddha statues?
Tham Ting has thousands of small statues crammed into its open mouth, while Tham Theung houses hundreds of older figures deeper in the dark. In total, the site holds over 4,000 statues.
Can I skip the upper cave?
Yes. If you have mobility issues or do not want to climb the 200 stone steps, you can stay at the lower cave (Tham Ting) near the river dock.
Is the entrance fee separate for each cave?
No. The entry fee of 20,000 to 30,000 LAK per person covers access to the entire site, including both Tham Ting and Tham Theung.
