Wat Phra That Phu Khao

On a hill above the Mekong River and beside the House of Opium stands Wat Phra That Phu Khao, “the temple on the hill”, founded in the 8th century by the king of the long-vanished city-state of Wiang Hirannakhon Ngoen Yang.

A stone-built and restored viharn and several crumbling chedis are all that remain of this ancient temple. Few visitors show much interest in the temple itself, however, as this is the best spot in Sop Ruak from which to view and photograph the majestic Mekong and the Golden Triangle. Do not expect to escape the vendors: the viewpoint over the confluence of the rivers and the meeting point of three countries is surrounded by souvenir shops, and children dressed in hill-tribe costume will pose beside the Golden Triangle sign for a small fee.