| Name | Tham Xang means Elephant Cave |
|---|---|
| Location | scenic karst area northeast of Thakhek, per the page |
| Town | Thakhek is the capital of Khammouane Province, on the Mekong |
| Border | Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, opened 11 November 2011 |
| Legend | locals destroyed an ‘evil’ formation in 1956, per the page |
Located in a scenic karst area to the northeast of Thakaek, Tham Xang (or Elephant Cave) is one of many famous caves known for its remarkable limestone formation and having prominent Buddha statues housed around it.
Tham Xang once had a limestone formation created similarly with an evil monster’s head which made locals frightened and it was even taboo to drink the water flowing from it. According to the legend, in 1956 after finding poor health spread through the village, the locals decided to destroy the “evil’s head”. Soon after, stalagmites and stalactites have miraculously created an elephant head in the cave and the health of the villagers has been improved. Since then, the cave has been known as the “Elephant Cave” and become an important Buddhist shrine. So every year, pilgrims often visit this site in the Lao New Year to sprinkle water on the elephant head and pray for good health. Tham Xang cave used to be the refuge for thousands of people who are the revolutionary fighters. It was used as a hospital, an arsenal where Japanese soldiers used the bat droppings from this cave to make gun powder during World War II and a medicine depot which still have evidence nowadays. There’s also interesting Buddhist items including a few Buddha images, Buddha “footprint” and a small black box containing Buddhist literature. The area surrounding offers beautiful scenery and from the view of the top of the cave entrance people can see the stretching Mekong River.
The Thakhek area
English Wikipedia describes Thakhek as the capital of Khammouane Province, a town in south-central Laos on the Mekong River, linked to Nakhon Phanom in Thailand by the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, opened on 11 November 2011. The town has French colonial-style buildings and was known as Sikhottabong, Muang Kabong and Lakhon in the Lan Xang era. The cave story on this page, including the 1956 legend, comes from the older text and we have not verified it; local access to the cave and the karst area should be confirmed with your operator. We have not verified the older text on prices, permits, opening hours or tours, so check them before you go.
Sources (read in English, English Wikipedia): Thakhek. Last checked November 2026.
Tham Xang (Elephant Cave): FAQ
What does Tham Xang mean?
Elephant Cave.
Where is it?
In a karst area northeast of Thakhek, per the page.
What is Thakhek?
The capital of Khammouane Province on the Mekong.
Can you cross to Thailand nearby?
Yes, by the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge opened in 2011.
How many days do you need?
One day from Thakhek.