AROUND LAOS

Attapeu
Attapeu, the most southeastern tip province of Laos Province, is also the best known for the Bolaven Plateau, sharing borders with Sekong in the north, Champassack in the west, Vietnam in the East and Cambodia in the South. The Bolaven Plateau is covered in the Champassak section and easily accessed from Pakse, in Champassak province.

The province has a total population of around 87,700, with more more Lao Loum than the neighboring provinces, consists of five districts: Saysettha, Sanamxay and Phouvong. Most of the population in Saravane, Sakong, Attapue is plunders minorities, comprising nine major tribes: Alak, Katang, Kaleum, Katou, Suay, Nge, Lave, Tahoy, Nyajeung. The capital town Samakhi Xai is built in a large picturesque valley surrounded by mountains and also in the loop of the river, opposite the confluence of the Sekong and Sekhamane Rivers. Where the join an island is formed by a small arm of water connecting them upstream.

Attapeu province is rugged, wild and very scenic, but transportation is very difficult, especially by land in the rainy season. Parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail can be explored from Attapeu, although using a local guide is essential

In early morning you can visit the traditional market, where many different minorities go to buy and sell their product.

Bokeo ( Houei Xai )

Bokeo  the smallest province in the country, Located along the three-border intersection of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. This is the Lao side of the 'Golden Triangle'.  The province has 34 ethnic groups, the second most ethnically diverse province in Laos.  It has five districts: Houixay, Ton Pheung, Muang, Pha Oudom, with 36 townships, more than 450 villages and a total population of 61,000 consisting of many ethnic groups, each with own lifestyles and customs.

Ban Houei Xai ( or Huay Xay ) is the border town with Thailand, the city is busy and prosperous.

The most lucrative occupation in Bokeo is gold panning and digging for precious stones, where you can see at Ban Nam Khok (The Lu village), 6 km from the town and Ban Houi Sala (The Hmong village), it's around 18 km far from the town of Houixay.

Fore space is a new National Tourism Authority Bokeo province and French private investment venture.   This eco- tourism project, in the Nam Kan protected area will be a major international attraction for visitors and will province one of the longest, most interesting forest canopy walks in the world.  There are ten walkways planned along with bungalows and an information center.

Located in the center of Huay Xay is Chomkao Manilat temple. The view from the the temple hill over Houy Xay city, the Mekong river and surrounding mountains is a definite reward for making it up the many steps.

At Ban Namkeung Kout, Ban Namkeung Mai and Ban Done Deng, it's 26 km far from the center of Houixay town to the north where you can visit the traditional Lu village, who came originally from Muang Sing, Luang Namtha. The villages can be reached by boat trip, upstream from Houixay.

Borikhamsay

Borikhamsay ( or Bolikhamsai ) province is located in the central Laos in the narrow "neck" with moderately high mountains sloping south west INTO the Mekong River valley. Vientiane and Xieng Khouang province lie to the north, Khammouane province to the south. Paksan the capital town is a commercial center, can be reached from Vientiane by bus in about three hours. . 

In Borikhamsay province, between Vientiane and the provincial capital Paksan, a 'footprint of Buddha' shrine at Wat Phra Baat is an important pilgrimage site.

The most famous attraction of the region is its striking landscape. At Ban Nahin, Poupha Mane, a stone forest featuring thousands of rock pinnacles, can be found. Due to its proximity to Lak Xao, the latter is within easy reach for tourists crossing to Vietnam. South of Lak Xao, the still pristine forests of Nam Thuen National Biodiversity Conservation with varieties of wild life. The largest conservation area in the country at 3700 sq km  is home to over a dozen threatened species including Asiatic black bear, clouded leopard, elephant, giant muntjac, guar, Malayan sun bear, and tiger.

The " Sao la " (spindle horn) or Vu Quang Ox - Pseudoryx nghetinhensis was discovered in neighboring Vietnam in 1992 and sighted since then in Laos in the conservation area.  Only two other land mammals have been classified with their own genus this century.  The first live "Sao la" was captured in neighboring Khammouane province in 1996.

Champasak

Champasak ( or Champassack ) as once, 1400 years ago, the center of power in the lower Mekong basin, later a revered outpost of the Khmer Angkor empire and, later still, one of the three kingdoms to rule over the remains of Lane Xang. A fine heritage that, according to the last prince of Champasak, was brought to hard times by a former queen's indiscretion.

The beautiful Nang Pao ruled over Champasak in the mid-17th century. But it's lonely at the top and the queen found comfort in the arms of a prince from a neighboring kingdom. Alas, for the lady's pennyroyal was ineffective, and Nang Pao fell pregnant. A great scandal ensued and, though the queen remained in power and was succeeded by her illegitimate daughter, Nang Peng, the unhappy Nang Pao decreed that all unmarried mothers in the kingdom must sacrifice a buffalo for their sins. The practice survived in some local communities until the 1980s, the unfortunate women being known as 'Nang Pao's Daughters.

Though the Kingdom of Champasak prospered for a while after the final dissolution of Lane Xang, at the beginning the 18th century, its fortunes faltered quickly and it was reduced to a vassal state of Siam before the century had passed. For its part in Chao Anou's abortive attempt to win freedom from the Siamese for the Lao kingdoms, Champasak lost all of its territory east of the Mekong. Under French rule the once mighty kingdom became a mere administrative block; its royalty stripped of many of its privileges.

"With an unmarried mother as queen," Prince Boun Oum na Champasak, the last of the kingdom's royal line, once said. "Everything started so badly that the game was lost before it began."

Boun Oum, who died in French exile in 1980, may have griped about his family's downfall (though he was not a direct descendent of Nang Pao), but it did not stop him from using his remaining royal privileges to loot the nearby Wat Phu. The magnificent Angkorian temple complex was recently made a UNESCO heritage site and is considered one of the finest Angkor-inspired edifices outside of Cambodia.

Champassack, lies to the southwestern Laos, the capital of Champassack is Pakse, which located at the confluence of the Mekong and the Sedon rivers. Southeast Asia's biggest waterfalls, Khone Pha Pheng, are within easy reach by boat or by road.

This is one of the main political and economic centers of Lao PDR and situated in the southwestern part of Laos, which the capital of Champassack is Pakse located at the confluence of the Mekong and the Sedon rivers. Southeast Asia's biggest waterfalls, Khone Pha Pheng, are within easy reach by boat or by road.. People of Champasack province settle along the bank of Kong Se Done river. In this province you will find ancient temples which were influenced from the Angkor in Cambodia.

There are many different minorities in Champassack. They have their own language, cultures and life styles.

Champassack lush, fertile land encouraged rice cultivation. It's one of the largest producers of rice in the country. Parts of Bolaven Plateau, which rests on the border of Saravane and Champassack are used for cultivation of coffee, cardamon, bananas, and other crops.

Other parts, however, still offer pristine nature, especially in the mountainous central part constituting Dong Hua Sao Forest reserve, a proposed protected area which has dense jungle and abundant wild animal life. It locates at Phapho Village: located 67 kilometers south of Pakse on the road No.13.

Khon Pha Pheng

Another interesting island in this area is Done Khone, where the French built a 14 km long railway to by pass the rapids. Visitors can follow the old railway line, view and old locomotive, pass a massive French built bridge and watch a series of huge rive cascades called Tat Somphamit, also know as the Li Phi falls.

From the southern tip of Done Khone a small island is accessible from which Irrawaddy dolphins can be watched during the dry season and it is exited only on place in Asia. Mekong Dolphin Conservation Center is located on Done Khone Island. Tourists are welcome to visit the center. To visit the center, visitors must go by road to Bane Veunkham village and then take a boat north a few kilometers to the center.

Wat Phou

Wat Phou, one of the most important sights in Laos, Forty six km south of Pakse. Wat Phou literally means mountain temple. The different levels of the temple structure, built along the slope of the adjacent mountain, date from the 6th century to the Angkor period of the 9th to 13th century.

The upper platform of the temple affords a wonderful view of the Mekong plain. Energetic visitors may want to climb the near by Phou Passak, whose peak is shaped like a lingam or Shiva phallus. Another Khmer monument, Muang Tomo or Oum Moung, can be visited on the opposite side of the Mekong. It is, however, less accessible than Wat Phou. 

The area has the remains of an ancient Khmer stone temple on Mount Phou Asa. At the most southwestern tip of Laos, along the Cambodian border, the Mekong river reaches its maximum breadth of 14 km (during the rainy season).

Huaphanh

Huaphanh ( or Houa Phan ) province, a mysterious, beautiful and abundant land, is situated in the North East of Laos, bordered by Xieng Khuang and Luangprabang to the west and Vietnam to the east. It was the base of the Lao people's Revolutionary activities and especially the historic interest as the geographical heart of the liberation struggle.

The province has a total population of around 247,300; consisting of many ethnic groups, each with their own life styles, costumes, folkways in wedding and other ceremonies, festivals, folkdances and songs, differing from each other.

Huaphanh has six districts: Viengxay, Xamnuea, Xamtai, Viengthong and Huamuang. The principle town is Viengxay the former name know as Nakai, according to the former time this area had many of birds, reptiles, wild animals.

Lao Aviation flies daily to the capital Xam Neua from Vientiane - for flight information, please click here for Lao Aviation's flight schedule. 

The province is also a famous by limestone mountains and caves with more than one hundred caves are located in rhe Vieng Xai district of Hua Phanh and many of which were used as hideouts and bunkers during the Indochina war. Tham Than Souphanouvong, the formerly  known as Tham Phapount, where in 1964 Mr. Souphanouvong came to set up his residence in this cave. Tham Than Kaysone, formerly known as Tham Yonesong, where in 1964 this cave was established for the residence of Mr. Kaysone Phonmvihane. Tham Than Khamtay is the part of Tham Xanglot; it was also the residence of Mr. Khamtay Siphandone; consisting of many compartments, such as meeting room, reception room and research room etc.

Other attractions include Keo Nong Vay Temple located in Xam Neua district.

Hot springs in Xam Tay district are located about 154 km away from Xam Neua the waters reach a temperature of around 40 degrees Celcius.  Xam Tay waterfall is located Xam Tay district.

Saleu and Nasala villages, well known for their weaving activities, located in Xieng Kor district on the road No: 6 to Xieng Khouang province 125 km away from Xam Neua.

Luang Nam Tha

Located in the northern part of Laos, Luang Namtha shares its northwestern border with Myanmar and its northeastern border with China. It is the wonderful place for the travel purpose of  environment, social, cultural, historical and development factors, which make the site an excellent location to, evaluated the potential for sustainable cultural and eco-tourism in and around a protected area. The forests are dense, and cover near 99% of the protected area.

The province is mountainous, home to large numbers of minorities.  The area is populated by a variety of different ethnic groups. They consist of Khamu, Akha, Hmong, and Yao (Mien). Besides the province also consist of the lowland Lao, Tai Lue, Thai Neua and Thai Dam who live in village just outside the protected area and the historic town of Muang Sing. Muang Sing originally formed part of group of principalities loosely linked under the leadership of political entity called the Sipsongpanna whose political seat centered in southern Yunnan province, China.

This province has a picturesque beauty with mountains, and many old temples, although many temple have been destroyed during the war, there still remains one major attraction, and old temple noticeably from other classical temples. UNESCO are funding a eco- tourism project in Luang Nam Tha that will be capable of sustaining sustainable development in the province.  The concept of the project is to provide education, conservation, management and sustainable economic benefits for the local population.

Getting there

Lao Aviation flies to and from Houay Xai and Luang Prabang and Vientiane. 

Buses run  from Houay Xai, Muang Xai and from the Chinese border at Boten.  

From China: It is possible to enter Laos at Boten from Mengla district in Yunnan province on the Chinese border.  You will need a visa in before entering Laos.   
From Boten, the capital Luang Nam Tha is about three hours away.

Muang Xing

Laos_The town of Muang Xing lies on the river plains of the Nam La to the northwest of Luang Namtha.  The town is a historic centre that was formerly an outpost of the Sipsongpanna Empire based in southern Yunnan in China.  The town is home to a number of ethnic minorities as well as lowland Lao, Tai Lue, Thai Neua and Thai Dam.  The town of Muang Xing has a number of guesthouses where trekking and hiking trips can be arranged.

The Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area is located in the southwest of Luang Nam Tha - a pristine habitat of dense tropical rainforest covering almost all of the protected area. Wild cattle (gaur and banteng), Asian wild dogs, tigers, clouded leopard, bears and gibbons also having in the forests and there is still a large bird population. South west of Luang Nam Tha, the still pristine forests of Nam Ha protected area with varieties of wildlife and vegetation can be found.

Oudomsay

Located in the northern part of Laos, Oudomsay ( or Oudamxai ), the mountainous province, wedged between Luang Prabang in the east, Phongsaly in the northeast, Sayabouri in the south and a little bit with China, 

Most of the province population of 283,000 is a mixture of 23 ethnic groups such as Hmong, Iko, Khamu, Lamet etc, each with it own distinct culture, religion, language and colorful style of dress. They are nonetheless and hospitable and welcome visitors to their singular cultures are mostly untouched by 20th century. The provincial capital , Muang Xay lies between two strings of Hmong villages.

Oudomxai can be reached overland from Luang Prabang. Oudomxay is also accessible from Bokeo and Luang Namtha Provinces. Lao Aviation have flights to Oudomxai from Vientiane

H'mong people celebrate their new year

Near Muang Say a waterfall, Lak Sip-Et, attracts visitors, as do the hot springs near Muang La. Muang Say is connected by road to Pakbeng, a rustic town stretching along the Mekong. From there one can continue to Luang Prabang by boat, passing stone cliffs, undulating mountains and little fishing villages.

Saymoungkhoune Rattana Stupa

The famous Buddhist sputa in Oudomsay is called Saymoungkhoune Rattana Stupa.

Oudomxay is an ideal base for excursions and trekking to varied sights and attractions as well as destination in its own right.  Muang Xai, has one of the best produce markets in the area.

Phong Sa Ly

Phongsaly province the most remote in northern Laos, enclosed three sides by China and Vietnam and cut off to overland travel from Oudomsay to the south. It consists of six districts: Phongsaly, Muangmai, Muangkhua, Samphan, Sombounxay and Yot Ou.

More than twenty ethnicities make up the province's population of approximately 153,400;among them Iko, Loma, Akha, Pusang, Thai Dam, Thai Deng, Yao, Thai Lu, Khamou, Phai, Solo, Lao Hoy etc. All retain district cultures, Languages and religious beliefs, though their most obvious difference is their dress of woman of each tribe.

Phongsali has a year round cool climate with temperatures as low as 5 degrees Celcius at night.  Rain can be heavy - bring a jacket and warm clothes. The highest mountains in Phongsaly is Phu Fa which you can see the cities' views and beautiful scenery

The Phu Den Din National Biodiversity Conservation Area along the Vietnamese border with mountains as high as 1950m with over 70% forest cover is home to the asiatic black bear, bantang, clouded leopard, elephant, guar and tiger.

Handicraft skills-notably in weaving, embroidery and making silver jewelry are also well developed.

Muang Khoa is a small town situated on the junction of Route 4 and the Nam Ou river.  The journey to Muang Khoa along route 4 from Udomxai takes about four hours.  It is possible to travel up river to Phongsali from here, or down to Luang Prabang.

Getting there

The capital Phongsaly, can be reached from Muang Xai with buses leaving once a day. 

Phongsaly can be reached by road and river, from Oudomsay it is possible to travel by road as far as Muangkhua in southern Phoisaly then continue from Muangkhua by boat. From Luangnamtha it is possible to travel by road via Muangla (Yunnan province, China). From Luang Prabang it is possible through the Nam Ou river straight north into the heart of Phongsaly. Another way, you can travel by Lao Aviation, which provides two flights per week,

Xieng Khouang and Plain of Jars

Xieng Khouang is located in the north of Laos. Most of its landscape consist of mountains and hills. XiengKhouang province offers the awesome beauty of high green mountains and rugged karst formations. The original capital city, Muang Khun, was almost totally obliterated by US bombing and consequently, the capital was moved to nearby Phonsavanh. Of several Muang Khun Buddhist temples built between the 16th and 19th century, only ruins remain. Vat Pia Vat, however, survived the bombing and can be visited.

Plain of Jars

The main attraction in Xieng Khouang province is the Plain of Jars. Stone jars of different sizes, apparently carved out of solid rocks, are scattered all over the plateau. The biggest one reaches a height of 3.25 meters. Researchers have advanced different theories as to the function of the stone jars, which are estimated to be 2,500 to 3,000 years old.

An air of mystery hangs over the Plain of Jars. Local folklore says that, in the 6th century, the warrior king, Khun Jeuam, brought his army from Southern China and defeated the evil chieftain, Chao Angka. The mighty battle was followed by a mighty feast, at which hundreds of gigantic jars of lao-lao rice wine were consumed. Khun Jeuam was, apparently, as bad at tidying up as he was good at throwing parties, for he left behind all of the empty jars, of which nearly three hundred remain, scattered around the flat plains near Phonsavan, including his own six-tonnes 'victory cup.'

There is little physical evidence to say that this fanciful legend does not hold at least a little truth. Major wars have been fought on the plains over the centuries, as both Lao, Siamese and Vietnamese armies attempted to win control of them. In the nineteenth century, Chinese bandits further pillaged the plains so that, by the time French archaeologist, Madeleine Colani, arrived in the mid-1930s, almost all that remained of the ancient civilization of the plains were the jars.

Colani claimed to have discovered beads, bronzes and other artifacts that led her to believe that the jars were funerary urns, dating back 2000 years - an opinion that is held by many researchers today. However, Colani could not shed any light on how the huge jars, carved from non-indigenous limestone, had been transported to the plains - or why so many remained, despite centuries of war. Another mystery surrounds the artifacts Colani found at the site, for they have all since vanished.

One last mystery. Though many battles have ravaged these plains, most devastating were the secret battles and air raids of the Second Indochina War. Hundreds of thousands of bombs rained down upon the plains, destroying, among many others, the beautiful town and temples of Xiang Kuang, while running battles were fought and lost among the jars. American bombers also jettisoned unused bombs over the plains as they returned from raids on Vietnam. Yet, despite all the surrounding devastation, the jars were virtually untouched.

Approximately 52 km north of Phonsavanh, hot spring will appeal to travelers in search of relaxation. The water of both, Ban Noi (Little Spring) and Ban Yai (Big Spring), reach a temperature of around 60 C.

Saravane

Saravane ( or Salavan ), a southeastern province situated on the Bolavens Plateau is devoted to agriculture and nature offering idyllic scenery. A prehistoric site exists not far from the cascades where a wonderful scene can be seen.

Salavan province is home to the Phu Xieng Thong National Biodiversity Conservation Area, covering nearly 1,000 sq km in the western part of the province next to the Mekong river.  It is thought that asiatic black bear, banteng, clouded leopard, Douc languor, elephant, gibbon, guar, Siamese crocodile and tiger and inhabit this area.

Within a cave huge stone caskets are piled one on top of the other, province not only beauty but interesting thoughts as to how it originated. Tat Lo, Lodge. It's located on the Northern edge of the Bolaven Plateau right beside the Sexet Dam; it's only 10 meters high.

The bungalows are blended into the embankment surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. A tour of the area on elephant back is an exotic attraction, or exploring the ethnic minority villages on the Bolaven Plateau can provide a variety of interests.

Savanakhet

Savannakhet town is situated on the banks of the Mekong river opposite Mukdahan in Thailand.  The province bridges the country between Thailand and Vietnam and the town is a very active junction for trade between the two countries.  The town itself can be easily explored by foot and has a number of interesting temples, including Vietnamese temple and school and a large Catholic church. Much of the town's architecture is French Colonial. Numerous examples of French architecture tell of the town's importance during the colonial era.

Getting there

Lao Aviation flies to and from Vientiane. 

You can reach Savannakhet by boat from the north (Vientiane, Tha Khek) or the south (Pakse), although these services change regularly.Buses run several times a day from Vientiane, Tha Kek and Pakse.   The journey takes up to nine hours from Vientiane.

From Thailand: Savannakhet is a designated international border checkpoint, although visas are not available on entry. You will need a visa in advance or you will have to make arrangements with a tour company. The ferry from Mukdahan, in Thailand runs all day between 0830 and 1700 on weekdays, with some restrictions at weekends.

From Vietnam: The Vietnamese border town of Lao Bao can be reached 180km west of Savannakhet on Route 9.  Tourists can freely pass between Laos and Vietnam, but note that visas are required in advance by both countries.

The Ho Chi Minh Trail

During the Vietnam war, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) used a network of trails, caves and gravel roads to move ordnance, tanks, trucks, men and provisions to South Vietnam.  The trail became known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail and its existence at the time was denied by the NVA.  The USA, on the other hand, denied saturation bombing the Trail, within Laos - with 900 sorties per day and over one million tones of explosive.

All of the jungle area of the Trail, previously destroyed with defoliants and herbicides has grown back.  It is possible to visit parts of the trail - but this must be done with a guide, since there remain tones of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the area.  Venturing off by yourself is not recommended !

    
Khanthebouly's main attractions are its noteworthy temples such as the beautiful Wat Saya Phoum and That Inghang.

That Inghang Stupa

That Inghang stupa is one of the national stupa, which is the holiest edifice in southern Laos, housing a hollow chamber with a distinguished collection of Buddha images. It was built by King Sikhotabong and located about 15 km east from the provincial capital of Khamthabouly.

That Phon stupa is one of the significant stupa since it was contracted between the year of 557 to 700. The contraction was taken quite a long time. Festival rite is annually organized in the full moon of the first month of lunar calendar to play respect to Phra Shiva and other Lords of Hinduism.

Heuanehine or Stone House, the rocky house designed by Kham people is also one of the most interesting sites in this province. Not as old as these prehistoric relicts, but of no less significance, is the northernmost example of Khmer art at Heuan Hin (stone house). The building were constructed between 553 AD and 700AD. Today little more than unrestored ruins remain.

Near Muang Phin, on the route to Vietnam, dinosaur remains are on display. A French scientist discovered them in the 1930s.

Dinosaur Exhibition Hall is situated in Khanthabouly, the capital city of the  province. Daily opened from 8.00 to12.00, and afternoon from 13.00 to 16.00, starting from Monday to Friday.

Hortai (Wat Nonglamchan village) is the old wooden building where the Buddha's words have been kept.

One of the tourist attraction in Savannakhet is the beautiful waterfall.

Sayabouri

Sayabouri is situated in the north west of Lao; sharing borders with Vientiane and Luang Prabang in the east and with six Thailand provinces in the West. Sayabouri is the most attractive destinations with sights and charms peculiar to itself and picturesque North-west region. There are many beautiful things to see in Sayabouri. The principal town in commonly called Muang Sayabouri, where many impressive temples such as Wat Ban Thin, Wat Ban Phapoun and Wat Ban Natonoy are located

The capital of the province, Sayabouri is on the banks of the Nam Hung, a tributary of the Mekong.

The province houses the Nam Phoun National Biodiversity Conservation Area which is 1150 sq km of forested hills that contain Asiatic black bear, dholes, elephant, guar, gibbon, Malayan sun bear and Sumatran rhino. The landscape here is magnificent by several peaks altitudes of more than 1000 meters; the meadows and pastures with flower in full boom; the thick and tangled virgin forests etc.

The area of Muang Phieng, such as Ban Fainamtan, Ban Nakhem and Ban Nampoui have a tradition of agriculture because the land is fertile suitable for agricultural production; particularly rice, water melons, cabbages and sugar cane.

The southern part of the province has many scenic waterfalls, but getting around this part of the province is very difficult. 

Agricultural product: According to the local traditional, people who live in this area have been using elephant for pulling logs.

Sekong

Sekong, the best known for the Bolaven Plateau is situated in the heart of the southeastern part of Laos; has common borders with Saravane to the west, Champassack and Attapeu to the south and Vietnam to the east. The province has a total population of around 64,200.

Sekong province is rugged,wild and very scenic, but transportation is very difficult, especially by land in the rainy season.

Dotted through out are villages and small towns; such as Lave, Lanam, Kaleum, Dakchung and Thateng, where the majority of people follow and the unchanging lifestyle of traditional farming.

Overall, the Sekong river valley is characterized by a landscape of a fertile plain patterned with a patchwork of rice paddies and fruits orchard.

It's also a complex geographical conditions form colorful Eco-Tourism resources because it's famous by rich of untouchable tropical forest, home to many rare species of flora and fauna.