Discover the Marvels of Laos with These 10 Unmissable Landmarks

Laos is a land of breathtaking beauty, perfect for adventurous travelers who embrace the thrill of exploration without fear of hardship.

10 Must-Visit Landmarks When Traveling to Laos

1. Bokeo Natural Reserve Area

This area is dedicated to preserving the black-cheeked gibbon, a species once thought to be extinct. Your journey here will be incomplete without experiencing life at the Gibbon Experience, an eco-tourism project that combines adventure with conservation.

Travelers get to live in treehouses and navigate by swinging on ropes. The reserve is also home to various elephants, bears, tigers, and water buffaloes. Moreover, it serves as a breeding ground and reintroduction site for rare species that have been hunted, providing an ideal location to observe a variety of precious birds at altitudes ranging from 500 to 1500 meters.

2. Nong Kiau

Nong Kiau, also known as Nong Khiaw, captivates tourists in Luang Prabang province with its mountain climbing tourism. The bridge connecting the two sides of Nong Kiau over the Nam Ou River is a must-visit spot for travelers.

From this bridge, visitors can admire the majestic scenery of mountains and rivers. Adventure enthusiasts can explore Pha Tok Cave, located about 2km from the village. This was also the refuge for villagers during the Indochina War. Nong Kiau is a relatively quaint village, so tourists should not have overly high expectations for the quality of services here.

3. Tham Kong Lo

Tham Kong Lo is a limestone cave in the Phu Hin Bin National Park. Situated on the Phu Hin Bin River, it is one of the famous geological wonders in Southeast Asia. The cave is over 6.5km long and reaches heights of up to 91 meters.

Inside the cave, there is a crystal-clear lake revered by locals who believe its surface reflects the skin color of the Hindu god Indra. Tourists can explore the cave by boat, and finding overnight accommodation is relatively straightforward.

4. Luang Namtha

The capital of Luang Namtha province is the largest city in Northwest Laos. Renowned for mountain enthusiasts, especially those opting for a cross-border trek from China to Laos.

Visitors can explore the villages of ethnic minorities here by traversing the hills. Additionally, renting a motorbike or mountain bike is a great way to tour nearby villages and waterfalls. After a day of adventurous exploration, tourists can unwind by immersing themselves in herb-filled water tubs. The night market here is also an ideal place to savor various intriguing local specialties.

5. Si Phan Don

This is a stunning archipelago situated on the Mekong River system in southern Laos. The Mekong River section here features the Khone Waterfall and an underground rock chain stretching up to 9.7 km, rendering all watercraft immobile.

The area below the falls is home to the highly endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. The three main islands here, Don Det, Don Khon, and Done Kong, attract tourists despite the basic accommodations on the islands. Motorbikes and kayaks can be rented here.

6. Phonsavan

Phonsavan is an ideal destination to experience the feel of the American Wild West right in Laos. Additionally, buffalo fighting events are organized every New Year. The place is also famous for the Plain of Jars – an ancient archaeological landscape resembling peculiar huts.

7. Wat Phu

This is a religious complex of ancient Khmer people located on Mount Phu Kao in Champasak province. This Hindu temple, dating from the 11th to the 13th centuries, was once part of the Khmer Empire stretching from Angkor to the southwestern region of Cambodia.

Wat Phu may be smaller compared to Angkor Wat, but the scattered structures, the swampy crocodile ponds, and the broken tree trunks create an incredibly mysterious atmosphere.

8. Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a tourist city, a four-hour drive from Vientiane. Founded in the 14th century as Mouang Song, the French later renamed it to its current name when they occupied the city.

It is renowned for its weathered limestone hills. Situated along the Nam Song River, there are plenty of activities for visitors such as kayaking, diving, and hiking. Surrounding the area are villages of the Hmong ethnic group.

9. Vientiane

The capital of Laos was once a French colony. Hence, travelers can easily spot French influences on the streets here. The most attractive destination is the Pha That Luang Stupa – a Buddhist architecture dating back to 1586 – standing at 49 meters high and believed to house the treasures of the Buddha.

Another equally enticing destination is Wat Si Muang – a city situated on the remains of an ancient Khmer temple. This is an ideal place for tourists to shop for silk.

10. Luang Prabang

This is the most famous tourist destination and once served as the capital of Laos. Luang Prabang is situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, becoming a hub of many Buddhist monasteries and temples.

Surrounded by numerous waterfalls, visitors can even ride elephants in some places. The night market at the end of the main street is also a suitable place to buy souvenirs or indulge in fried moss – a local delicacy.

As reported by Ngoisao.net

***

Reference: Travel guide from Mytour