South of Khong Island (the largest in Laos) is the Four Thousand Islands, or Si Phan Done in Lao. This area of extraordinary beauty is known for its fine food-especially fish dishes-distinct temple architecture and warm hospitality. On Don Det and Don Khon, remnants of an early 20th century railway and steamship port can be visited. At the Lao-Cambodia border local boats can be hired to observe the endangered freshwater dolphins that inhabit this section of the Mekong.