Watch the sunset

On top of Phousi Hill is a narrow platform with a small Buddhist temple and a golden stupa. The hill is a popular place to watch the sunset; the narrow platform fills up quickly and gets pretty crowded.

Two ways to the top

Two stairways lead to the top of the hill. To get the most of the views and shrines, take one up and the other one down. The way up most often used is found on Sisavangvong road, opposite the Royal Palace Museum; 328 steps will get you to the top.

Another stairway is on Thanon Phousi with a total of 355 steps and several viewpoints along the way to the top. At the start of the stairway is a small restaurant with a map showing the various attractions on Phousi Hill.

A short climb up the stairs is a display of golden colored Buddha images in several mudras; among them are a Buddha holding an alms bowl, a Buddha image in the calling for rain mudra, a Buddha in the meditation mudra sheltered by the hood of the multi headed serpent Mucalinda, a reclining Buddha and a sitting Buddha surrounded by followers.

About halfway up is a small cave temple sometimes called Wat Tham Phousi housing several Buddha images.