Paksan

Paksan isn't the sort of place that you come to because you want to visit Paksan. It's the sort of place that you transit through on your way to somewhere else; there simply isn't much to see or do.

Most people pass their time away by heading down to the Mekong and watching the sun set. The skies can be beautiful on clear days and this is a great setting.

Between the main road and the Mekong are about half a dozen wats with a few of them containing shy monks learning English. It can be an interesting experience to wander around one of the wats and strike up a conversation with one of the monks – they will be more interested in checking you out than you will be of them and some may want to have their photo with you. Most of the wats come with customary three-metre-tall Buddha and gardens, and are peaceful.

A few karaoke joints in town and a nightclub just next to Saynamsan restaurant called Differ represent Paksan's nightlife offerings.

There are a couple of markets in town. The main Paksan market is centrally located right next to the bus station. Here you'll find produce, hardware and jewellery as well as some noodle shops. A bigger produce market, however, is located in one of the streets that lead down to the Mekong from the main road east of the bridge. On offer here is meat, fruit and veggies as well as grains and noodle soups.