Tham Pha, also known as Buddha Cave, is a cave in Khammouane Province,

Laos Laos (, ''Lāo'' )), officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic ( Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ, French: République démocratique populaire lao), is a socialist ...

. The

Karst Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. It has also been documented for more weathering-resistant ro ...

limestone cave was only discovered in April 2004 by a local farmer who upon entering it found a treasure trove of 229 Buddha statues, estimated to be over 450 years old. It is believed that the Buddha statues were hidden to prevent them being looted by invading

Haw Haw or HAW may refer to: Fruit * many species of hawthorn (''Crataegus'') ** Haw flakes, Chinese sweets made from the fruit of the Chinese hawthorn, ''Crataegus pinnatifida'' * several species of ''Viburnum'', including: ** '' Viburnum rufidulu ...

peoples. The largest Buddha statue is seated at the main entrance. A stupa is located at the nearby Tham That cave.

References

{{coord missing, Laos Buddhist caves in Laos Geography of Khammouane province 2004 in Laos Buddha statues Limestone caves Tourist attractions in Laos