This small town is set on the stunning Nam Kading River and is known throughout the province for its fish. The town is nothing more than a lunchtime stop for most visitors, although if you have the time and inclination, it is worth arranging a boat trip up the Nam Kading to Nam Tok Taat Wang Fong a small waterfall a few hours upriver. Two other sites to the east can be accessed easily from Pak Kading: the Phoukoud Cave, 12km away, and a Medicinal Plants Preserve, 13km away.

Although the waterfall itself is not particularly impressive, many would better describe it as a set of high rapids, the natural setting is pristine with untouched primary forest on both sides of a steep riverine valley.

The trip takes about two to three hours upriver, one to two down, and for three quarters of the trip you'll meander past numerous villages and be able to observe typical riverlife in Laos, but for the last quarter, civilisation is left behind and you are surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Nam Kading NBCA. At the waterfall you can take a refreshing dip in the cold turquoise water. The boatmen sit at the landing at the southern end of town -- you will need to bargain.

The nearest bank is in Paksan to the north, and there's no internet in Pak Kading, but there's a post office tucked away on a side street just west of the main road at the centre of town: open daily from 08:00 to 12:00.

There is just one place to stay, that we were able to find, in Pak Kading; the Phepathoum Guesthouse, which, considering it's the only place to stay in town, is pretty good! Rooms are spacious, with high ceilings, tile floors, and private bathrooms. Unfortunately it doesn't overlook the Pak Kading river.