Places to visit in Laos

We are often asked what sights we think are worth seeing, which places we found interesting and what would we recommend doing.  These are our thoughts. There is much more detail in our Journal for Laos. We travelled from south to north but these entries are based on the places we liked best.

The details may change so we suggest you check with a good guide book. We suggest “Lonely Planet” or the “Rough Guide” series because they are both well written and kept up to date.  You can get more information on;
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
http://www.roughguides.com

Many visitors only visit Luang Phabang and Vientiane with some also stopping at Vang Vieng. Consequently these towns see many tourists and tend to cater to tourists. However the southern towns of Laos are well worth a visit if you can afford the time.

Slow Boat on the Mekong

 

      

The boat trip on the Mekong between Luang Phabang and Hauy Xai travels through majestic mountainous scenery in one of the remotest stretches on the river. A trip on one of the slow boats designed to take tourists is highly recommended.
www.asia-oasis.com

 

Vientiane (Central Laos)

There are several sights of interest in Vientiane, the Capital of Laos. Being a centre of commerce and religion the city feels less like a tourist resort and more like a working town. It is however a small city of only a quarter of a million people and without the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Saigon.

Probably the most impress sight is Pha That Luang, the most important national and religious monument in Laos.

The Patuxai or Victory monument is set in a pleasant gardens on the main road into the centre of the city.

Wat Sisaket is an old pagoda built around 1820 and the cloister walls are studded with hundreds of niches housing over 2000 silver and ceramic Buddha images.

Wat Si Muang is the site of an ancient masonry pillar said to be 1000 years old and the remains of the original ancient city.

The National Museum of Religious Art, Haw Pha Kaeo, is housed in a former Royal Temple and houses fine examples of bronze and wooden Buddha images. Well worth a visit.   
 

Plain of Jars (Central Laos)

Located in the Centre of Laos, near the town of Phonsavan, the 1000 metre elevation plateaux is surrounded by high peaks. Here hundreds of huge 2,500 year old stone jars are found in groups across the plain. It is worth spending a couple of days exploring these evocative sites with a guide.

It is important to stick to the marked paths as there are still unexploded bombs left from the American war in the 60s and 70s.

Luang Phabang (Northern Laos)

This well preserved ancient capital of Laos is a pleasure to walk through and be in. The Royal Palace Museum is well worth a visit. There also several pagodas which have survived the ravages of time and invading armies from the surrounding countries.  Every morning at 06:00 the monks from the pagodas walk slowly along Than Sakkarin accepting alms from the townsfolk and visitors.  Some say the town has gone too far to attract and accommodate tourists to the extent that the character of the town is being lost. 

Pakse (Southern Laos)

There are two major attractions in this area, apart from the town itself.

The ancient Kymer temple of Wat Phou is at Champasak, about 16km from Pakse. The 1000 year old ruins of the temple are set in an imposing location of vegetation clad mountains. Many of the sculptures and intricate carvings are well preserved in the excellent modern museum at the site.

The other attraction is the people and countryside of the Bolaven Plateau. Trips can be arranges to spectacular waterfalls and villages of the indigenous peoples.

 

Si Phan Don (Deep South near the border with Cambodia)

This region is called the four thousand islands because the River Mekong spreads out into a shallow 16 km wide inland delta with numerous rapids and cascade waterfalls.

In the dry season, when the river is low, taking a boat between the islands to see the waterfalls is a good day out.

The remains of the French railway built to move cargo past the waterfalls can still be seen on one of the islands.

Freshwater dolphins are another major attraction although the number of dolphins in the river here is falling.

 

Vang Vieng (Central Laos)

The beautiful Song river and spectacular scenery bring many visitors to Vang Viang. The limestone caves, trekking opportunities and relaxing on the river in canoes, boats, kayaks and inner tubes makes Vang Vieng a popular destination. However the ready availability of drugs and excessive drinking are tarnishing the reputation of this laid back town.

 

Thakek (Southern Laos)

A quiet town with few ‘sights’ Thakek offers several interesting limestone caves to visit.  Whilst in the dry season these are easily accessible, some with well constructed walkways and steps deep inside, in the wet season a boat or waist deep wading is necessary.

 

Savannaket (Southern Laos)

Savannaket is a quiet town which still retains many examples of French colonial architecture. The people are friendly and helpful and in Wat Sainyaphum English speaking monks are happy to chat. In the evening the population seems to gravitate toward the temporary cafes by the river bank to cook their meals on charcoal burners on their tables.