Top Spots
Vientiane
The capital of Laos is called “city of sandalwood or the moon,” a name due to the crescent moon formation created the Mekong. It mixes plantations in the center and in the lower part, old colonial villas on the model of those in the South of France, with red roof tiles and exterior wooden friezes. To see: the temples, the market Khua Din, black stupa, triumphal arch Patuxai …
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is a horizontal city, named in honor of the late Grand Golden Buddha, housed at the former Royal Palace. It was the capital of the kingdom until 1563 and at the end of the seventeenth century. It is steeped in history. Rich in religious monuments, Luang Prabang is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Siphandone
Located in the extreme south of Laos, just before the Cambodian border, the region of Siphandone means “four thousand islands”. These are scattered over the arms of the Mekong which the islands Khon and Det, remains of a railway line. The waterfalls shows, freshwater dolphins, and a few walks in the dugout seduce you.
The Khong Island
Crossing the Mekong, stop at Don Khon, one of two southern islands known for its culture Don Det coconut and bamboo, to which it is connected by a bridge topped with an old railway built by the French in the nineteenth century.The remains of an old steam railcar there. Visit the main town Ban Khon, old French colonial villas and small harbor.
Don Khon
Crossing the Mekong, stop at Don Khon, one of two southern islands known for its culture Don Det coconut and bamboo, to which it is connected by a bridge topped by an old railway built by the French in the nineteenth century. The remains of an old steam railcar there. Visit the main town Ban Khon, old French colonial villas and small harbor.
Li Phi Falls
Falls Li Phi or Samphamit, which means “abyss of ghost” in Lao, are due to a cul-de-training bag. Without current, they retain wrecks and make navigation and river trade possible.
Xieng Khouang
Xieng Khouang is a mountainous region. The old capital of Muang Khoune this historical remains – the current capital is Phonsavan. The Plain of Jars is its main attraction. See also: If the cave Muang, Buddhist temples and natural spa Ban Noi and Ban Yai.
Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars
Phonsavan is a new and modern city, which was built after the 1968-1975 conflict. It replaced the old capital of Xieng Khouang destroyed by American bombing. Step to visit the jars, the plain is 1200 m above sea level and has a hundred huge ancient stone vessels of about 3 m and 3 tons.
Vang Vieng
Nicknamed “Halong bay Laos”, that very beautiful site is located 160 km north of Vientiane, on the road to Luang Prabang. Near the Nam Song River, in an area populated by Hmong and Yao, its sacred caves contain Buddha statues (Tham Chang Tham Lusy, Tham Phapouak). Waterfalls, cliffs and limestone sugar loaves are known.
Phongsaly
Phongsaly Province is the most northern Laos, including the city of the same name is located at 1400 m above sea level. It is bordered by China and Vietnam. The small port of Muang Khoua is the front door. The old fort Boun Tai is a must Reserve Nam Lan. At Mount Phou Pha, go to phounoy villages of Tibeto-Burman ethnic origin.
Huang Xai
Xai Huang is a village on the border between Thailand and Laos. Reserve Bokeo offers a trek along the river Nam Nga. Its forest extends over 123,000 hectares and is home to significant biodiversity: birds, insects, tiger, buffalo, elephants, bears and … black gibbons.
Champassak
Champassak The king called his old city its name. About 35 km south of Pakse, the city stretches along the right bank of the Mekong, and leads to the famous temple of Wat Phou classified Unesco. Among the few royal villas, both reflect the French colonial era, others are more traditional and Laotian style.
Pakse
Pakse is a busy commercial town founded by the French, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Sedon river. It is the capital of Champasak and the starting point of the visit of Wat Phou or Bolaven plateau. Since the Wat Luang, you will see the monks cross the bridge. Architecture of a style other than Lao: Chinese temple.
Bolaven Plateau
The Bolaven Plateau is a major agricultural regions of Laos. On the road, rubber plantations, teak trees, tea, coffee, bananas, lychees … elephants grazing. Tad Fan is one of the highest waterfalls gushing from a gorge 200 meters deep in the jungle of Dong Hua Sao. The nature reserve is conducive to trek.
Savannakhet
Savannakhet means “city of paradise”. Located along the Mekong River about 500 km from Vientiane, it is the capital of the most populous province of Laos. The traces of French colonization (architecture, Catholic churches …), Buddhist sites and Khmer ruins to explore.
Wat Phou
This archaeological site of Wat Phou largest Lao-listed World Heritage by UNESCO, is located 8 km from Champassak. The old stones of the “Mountain Temple” are pre-Angkorian ruins dating from the ninth to the twelfth century a Hindu temple. It was the cradle of the Khmer civilization.
Vieng Pukha
Vieng Pukha is a peaceful town of Luang Nam Tha. Nepali women wash their clothes in the river while children bathe. Most visitors go to enjoy the trek amidst a deforested area and rice fields.
Huai Xay
Old Kingdom of the “million elephants”, renamed “Land of the Lotus Eaters,” Huai Xai is the capital of the province of Bokeo, the smaller is the least populated. Before visiting the villages, meet the chefs. Admire the views from Jom Khao Manilat, a Chinese temple vibrant colors built in 1880 in the Shan style, and the French built Fort Carnot.
Luang Nam Tha
Luang Nam Tha is both capital and province. Make trips of a few days to visit its nature reserve on foot, by canoe, raft or canoe. Take a tuk-tuk to the village of Had Yao populated by Hmong. Ban Nam Dee Falls is 500 meters from the village of Lao Hui Lanten.
Muang Ngoi
Muang Ngoi is located at the confluence of the Nam Ou and a small river in the east. Walk through the valley, you will reach the caves where sheltered Laos during the American bombing by performing the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which descends to the east to Vietnam. You will climb up scree Bannaka, village inhabited by Khmu and Lao.
Muang Sing
Muang Sing is only 2 hours drive from Luang Nam Tha. This village is isolated on a plain surrounded by mountains. Located 8 km from China, the Chinese Kuomintang army occupied it in 1946, preceded by the British in 1895. It lends itself to hiking in the rice fields or villages inhabited by a dozen ethnic groups. Its market is popular.
Nong Khiaw
Located northeast of Laos, 26 km east of Pakmong, the center Ban Nong Khiaw to wooden houses overlooking both banks of the Nam Ou surrounded by green mountains. The waterfall is located 7 km east of the village. The bridge can reach the right bank, lined with bungalows, which connects Ban Sop Houne. Visit the caves of Tok Pha.
Oudom Xai
Populated twenty ethnic Hmong, Akha and Khmu, Oudom Xai city is surrounded by green hills; the Phu That gives a view of the pool and mountains. The old city is a neighborhood of low houses to Mount That. See: waterfalls, natural thermal baths, temples …
Pakbeng
Pakbeng The Hmong village is situated on a mountainside between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang. Its port activity is flourishing. In the morning a colorful market offers dried buffalo skins, skewers frogs …
