All Roads Lead to Rome, The Road to Angkor Wat

An extensive network of roads led to the capital of Angkor, with one ancient road stretching into Linga-pura, another urban settlement south of the Vat Phou Temple Complex. Along this ancient road, temples were situated a few kilometers apart, functioning primarily as rural shrines while also serving as resthouses and hospitals for pilgrims (e.g., Hong Nang Sida, Thao Tao, and That Sampang).

The archaeological remains from the periods before and after the Khmer Empire

There are many Khmer ruins centered around Cambodia and neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Without a doubt, the most impressive architectural monuments, artistic sculptures, and urban designs, which boast immense scale and sophistication, can be found in Angkor, the capital of the empire. However, just as a modern nation's capital alone cannot represent the entire nation, the Angkor ruins alone cannot fully depict the vast and dynamic world of the Khmer Empire.

The Vat Phou - Champasak site holds significant potential for restoring a comprehensive understanding of Khmer society. This is because archaeological remains from the periods before and after the Khmer Empire are still well-preserved, thanks to the traditional agricultural practices, housing, and nature-respecting religious culture of the southern Lao PDR (People's Democratic Republic). The cultural landscape, which was formed over a long period and encompasses ancient urban ruins and vast natural scenery, holds crucial potential for shedding light on the relationship between the lives of ancient local people and their environment, beyond just religious and royal culture. It is a rare site where one can indirectly experience various aspects of ancient Khmer life, including ancient temples, archaeological remains that illustrate the relationship between urban and rural areas, traces of secluded practitioners, ancient water management facilities, trade routes with the outside world, and well-preserved sacred natural landscapes. The unique topography of the site also makes it exceptionally rare, as it allows travelers to view the entire cultural landscape of the ancient Khmer from any vantage point.