Said to have been moved from Sri Lanka by the Monkey King Hanuman, Phousi Hill is the highest point in Luang Prabang’s Old Town. Topped by the Wat Chom Si temple, it is a popular attraction for tourists who want to catch views of the sunset over the Mekong River.

The main entrance from Old Town’s main road requires a 20,000 Kip fee. It’s a short climb along the stairs to the top of the hill, easy for people of most fitness levels. We happily paid the small entrance fee and started our ascent.

Halfway to the top we came across Wat Tham Phou Si, a smaller temple. A golden Buddha statue sits here, protected by a Naga; something we’d soon learn is common across Laos.

At the top of the hill is Wat Chom Si, a Buddhist temple complete with a prayer room and stupa. The temple was packed with tourists, all eager to catch the sunset over the Mekong. Though it was crowded, we were still able to watch as the sun set over the Mekong River.

The hill feels higher than it actually is, so it makes the short climb worth the effort. On the opposite side of the river you can catch views of Luang Prabang city, and see how it has expanded out from Old Town over time.

We climbed down the hill to the west rather than south toward Old Town, as we were eager to see more of the infamous hill. On this side we found more Buddha statues and various shrines, highlighting how this place was a holy site to the locals.

Interestingly, there were no ticket checks on the way down. The only place where they charge entry is the entrance from the main street, where most tourists would naturally assume was the only way up. 20,000 Kip is only around $1.50, but if you’re really looking to save money, the western path offers a free way up.

When we got to the bottom we decided it was time to head back to the hotel. It had been a long day, as we had woken up early to see the Sai Bat that morning. The next day we would make our way further down the Mekong to our next destination in Laos.