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The landscape is dominated by two natural features, Phou Khao Mountain and the Mekong River. Water played a significant role in the manipulation of the landscape to reflect the cosmology of the Hindu gods. Water flowed from a spring at the base of the lingaparvata through the sanctuary at Vat Phou and down through a series of baray (reservoirs) to the Mekong River, inextricably linking the lingaparvata - the representation of the Hindu god Shiva - with the Mekong River - the representation of the Ganges, the most sacred river of Hindu India.

The Champasak cultural landscape, from the Mekong River, foreground, to Phou Kao Mountain with its natural stone linga atop.

The Mekong River, vital transportation route as well as symbolic representation of the sacred River Ganges.