Without doubt, Vientiane is one of Southeast Asia’s quietest capital cities with a recorded history that stretches back to around 1,000 AD. Hugging a wide bend of the Mekong River, it looks more like a rambling collection of villages, dotted with a few grandiose monuments, than the engine room of a nation. The capital city delivers a relaxing riverside break where one of the best things you can do is grab a drink and enjoy the sun’s spectacular show as it sets over the Mekong. Despite being the largest city in Laos and the hub of commerce and administration, Vientiane is still refreshingly laid back.
Located in Vientiane, Pha That Luang (“Great Stupa in Lao”) is Laos’ most incredible religious monuments. The stupa has several terraces with each level representing a different stage of Buddhist enlightenment. The lowest level represents the material world; the highest level represents the world of nothingness. Built in the 16th century on the ruins of a Khmer temple, this stupa battles centuries of destruction and rebuilding, and remains one of the most incredible and authentic examples of architecture.
The ancient town of Luang Prabang situated in northern Laos, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Considered by many travellers and writers as being the heart of Laotian culture, the tiny town is encircled by mountains and is 700 metres above sea level at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers and is a destination of choice with its amalgamation of crumbling French architecture, glistening temples and extensive natural beauty. This former Royal capital still remains the main centre for Buddhist learning in Laos and is the perfect location for spiritual contemplation.
Kuang Si is regularly touted as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, and has three tiers leading to a 50 kilometer drop into crystal pools of water. The water from the fall flows downstream, and can easily be reached by kayaking for those adventurous enough, and is close enough to Luang Prabang to make it a day trip. Plenty head here for swimming thanks to pristine water conditions, so come prepared with swimwear to jump in.
Known as the most beautiful landscape in Laos, Vang Vieng is a riverside town attracting millions of young travelers from all over the world. It’s no wonder, since its landscape of mountain peaks, waterfalls and caves woven into the seams of Nam Song River is picturesque, to put it lightly. Vang Vieng is home to cultural discovery and adventure travel, too, with a handful of temples to visit between trekking and rock climbing in limestone mountain formations.
Si Phan Don, or 4000 Islands, is a vast archipelago situated in the south end of Laos, located where the Mekong River flows through the Khone Waterfall before reaching the main river in Cambodia. Suggested by its name, Si Phan Don is home to countless of lush, all-but-deserted islands of varying sizes, each with incredible landscape that’s ripe for adventure travel. While in Si Phan Don, travelers here might catch a glimpse of the Irrawaddy dolphin, one of the most endangered and intriguing wildlife in Southeast Asia.
The Pak Ou Caves are located north of Luang Prabang on the Mekong river and can be reached by road or river boat. The caves are famous for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of very small and mostly damaged wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the wall shelves. They take many different arrangements, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and reclining (nirvana).
Situated in the heart of the golden triangle, Bokeo is just over the border from Chiang Rai province in Thailand and also borders Myanmar while China is less than 100km away. Bokeo Nature Reserve was created as a refuge for Laos’ wildlife that were threatened with extinction, or endangered by hunting and forest destruction. The best way to explore this protected area is with the Gibbon Experience Project, a conservation project launched after the discovery of the indigenous black-cheeked gibbon, one of Laos’ most endangered primate species. Hidden in the lush tropical forest, the project is a fascinating collection of tree houses and rope bridges woven through jungle brush, and boasts one of the best back-to-nature experiences in all of Southeast Asia.
