Are you wondering: What are the best places to visit in Laos?
Are you planning a trip to the beautiful and peaceful Southeast Asian country and do not know where to go and what to explore?
Here’s what you need to know!
Laos, what to see: Where to start!
Laos can be reached by flights to Vientiane (Wattay International Airport), Luang Prabang (Luang Prabang International Airport) and Pakse (Pakse International Airport).
Flights are never direct, you have to get a connection flight from Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Thailand or Vietnam. Often you opt for a flight over Bangkok (usually cheaper and closer to the country of Southeast Asia) and then take a connecting flight, or busses.
From the Thai capital there is the option to take the rather comfortable night train to Nong Khai, on the border with Laos and a few kilometers from the center of Vientiane.
Laos, what to see: The main tourist destinations
Let’s start from the capital of Laos: Vientiane!
Vientiane is certainly one of the quietest capitals of the entire galaxy, even if it is changing its pace a bit: in a few years I have seen the traffic of cars on its streets and the number of visitors increase.
Laos opened its doors to tourism and international investment only in 1990, we will see if even here globalization will come with its crazy rhythms as it is happening almost throughout the rest of Southeast Asia.
The town overlooks the Mekong river, on the other side you can see Thailand. Do not miss a golden sunset on the river!
Around the capital of Laos there are many cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy traditional and international food, Buddhist temples and a night market along the banks of the Mekong River.
The That Luang, or the Great Stupa, dated 1586, is one of the most important monuments of Laos.
Do not miss the temple Wat Si Saket with its many sculptures of the Buddha in wood, bornze and stone of all sizes, dated between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries.
During the visit of Vientiane stop for a photo at the Patuxai, Laos Arc de Triomphe!
Pleasant is also the Buddha Park, not far from the city center, with its statues of the Buddha and the gods of Indian mythology, some are really giants!
The most important destination in Laos: Luang Prabang!
A quiet town at the confluence of the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River, it was the capital of the kingdom of Lan Xang and is now considered the spiritual heart of the Asian country.
Today, a UNESCO world heritage site, Luang Prabang presents pleasant French-style colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and monasteries in a relaxed and magical atmosphere. Famous for the monks’ alms giving ceremony at the first light of the morning.
Nature is wonderful around Luang Prabang. The best of the area are its waterfalls, the most beautiful are certainly those of Kuang Si Waterfalls, which I recommend you visit absolutely.
Do not miss a sunset on the Mekong river, the sun goes down behind the distant hills, coloring the sky with warm and fascinating shades.
In the evening a pleasant night market with local products, food and Chinese goods where you can buy some souvenirs and eat something traditional.
Vang Vieng, one of the most visited tourist destinations in Laos.
Beautiful town with a super relaxed atmosphere, about 4 hours drive from Vientiane and surrounded by beautiful karst mountains and green rice fields.
Many outdoor activities can be practiced in the area: rafting, kayaking and the famous tubing on the Nam Song river that runs through Vang Vieng.
Also hiking, cycling, explore some caves and visits to nearby villages.
Very beautiful the Blue Lagoon or Tham Poukham, a small pond with emerald waters in which you can jump in to find some relief from the humid heat. Within walking distance there are beautiful caves that can be visited.
Pakse is the largest city in the South of Laos
Located at the confluence of the rivers Xe Don and Mekong, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Champasak until 1946, when the country was unified.
It is increasingly becoming a destination for travelers exploring Laos, also due to its location on the border with Thailand which makes it easily accessible by road from Bangkok.
Great place to make a base for visiting the green Bolaven Plateau, where you will find coffee, tea, fruit and cardamom plantations, waterfalls, villages and natural wonders.
Destination of the area is also Wat Phu Champasak Temple, an ancient Khmer temple.
In Pakse you will find hotels, hostels, restaurants, massage centers and everything that can be convenient for your travel.
Phonsavan is famous for its Plain of Jars.
The jars represent an enigmatic attraction of Laos. No one has any idea what these stone jars of various sizes have been used for in this area.
Mysterious artifacts are not the only wonder to be seen in this part of Laos, natural riches are waiting to be explored: mountains, pine forests, hills, rivers, caves and waterfalls are just some of the wonders you will find here.
The town of Phonsavan is the base for exploring the area, with its hotels, guest houses, restaurants, markets and everything else a tourist expects.
Si Phan Don (4000 Islands) is a group of islands on the Mekong River.
Located in the south of Laos, the main islands are: Don Khong, Don Dhet and Don Dhon.
Impossible not to repeat … another fantastic relaxing place where you can spend a few days lounging in a hammock to contemplate the quiet life around, or rent a bike and cycle through the green area or go kayaking along the river.
We are at the border with Cambodia, here we can see the freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins (Pakha) in Don Khon.
TheKhone Phapheng waterfalls, a set of rapids on the Mekong River, are another place to visit if you venture to this part of Laos!
Luang Namtha, on the border with China!
If you come from China by land this is the first town that will host you in Laos. Buses connect Luang Namtha with the Xishuangbanna Autonomous Prefecture and the Kunming City in Yunnan Province.
Another place to get lost in the green and peaceful peace of Laos. The treks in the area are very beautiful, as are cycling tours to explore the country landscapes, the villages of the local mountain tribes and the waterfalls.
A pleasant and revitalizing herbal sauna in the afternoon after hiking and a dinner at the night market are a great and pleasant way to end the day.
Tham Kong Lo, considered one of the most beautiful caves here in SE-Asia.
To visit the caves people usually stops at Tha Khaek or at the guest houses and homestays in the village of Knog Lo, just a few kilometers from the entrance to the cave.
The Tham Kong Lo cave is deep and wide, it covers its 7 kilometers almost all on a boat (it depends on the water level) along the river Nam Hin Bun that pierces the surrounding mountain. Sometimes it goes on in total darkness, even if at the entrance there are frontal torches, some parts of the cave are too large to be illuminated. The experience is truly wonderful: feeling floating in the void, swallowed comfortably in the darkness of the cave … a taste of infinity!
There is a stop to explore a cave area on foot where you can watch the stalactites and stalagmites lit by lights of various colors and a stop on the other side of the mountain for a drink or a snack before you plunge into the jaws of the earth and come back happy at the starting point with an extra experience in your heart.
Laos, what to see … conclusions.
Laos, as you will have noticed from my countless repetitions, is a very relaxing and peaceful place, perfect for outdoor activities: trekking, kayaking and cycling will give you pleasant and unforgettable memories!
Green and not yet devastated by our western rhythms Laos is an ideal place for an eco-friendly holiday between adrenalinic moments and free time to enjoy the peace that its nature transmits!
