Living There
Luang Prabang
Located in northern Laos with rich mostly traditional architecture and traditions, this city is well known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. It host the UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Monarchs include:Khun Lo, Fa Ngum, Oun Kham, kham Souk, Sisavang Vong.
It also has plenty of natural tourism sites such as the Kuang Si Falls, Tat Sae Waterfalls and Pak Ou Caves and historical sites such as the Kham Royal Palace Museum and the Wat Xieng Thong temple.
It is rich in crafts especially in Ban Chan, a 15 minute boat ride from the town center. There is a night market (Prabang) where shirts, bracelets and other souvenirs are sold.
Luang Namtha
If you love nature, then this is one place you want to visit. Luang Namthais the largest city in Luang Nam Tha province (the area around the Tha River). It is located on the northern side of Lao with lush green environment made of forests.
There are many tourist activities available including but not limited to village visits, homestays, boat tours and trekking under the guidance of trained local guides as you help improve the Nan Ha National Protected Area. These activities also help you to learn about rural lifestyles. Bicycle riding is also allowed with mountain bikes available for renting at 30000kip/day.
Muang Xay
It’s the largest city in Northern Laos.It is the capital of Oudomxay Province, a multiethnic province surrounded by scenic mountains.
You can visit the Tolkien’s Mines of Moria, a cave with more than 16 km of beautifully formed natural tunnels with huge stalagmites and stalactites. You can also have guided tours to the Ban Chom Ong, a beautiful village surrounded by paddy rice fields and mountains and the Nam Heeng. A visit to the Nam Kad Waterfall allows you to swim and enjoy thescene of an untouched pristine forest.
The Oudomxay Museum provides an exhibit of the history of the people. You can enjoy an early morning view of the town as it wakes up from the top of Phou Sebey Mountain.
There is also the Phuuthat Stupa where people come together to celebrate religious festivals.
Pakse
If you are an archaeologist or a nature lover, you ought to visit this place. Pakse is the capital city of Champasak province, southern Laos. It can be accessed by bus, private chartered boats or by plane.
While here,you should ensure you visit Wat Luang which is the biggest temple of Pakxe, Ban Keosamphanh which is the most beautiful rice field owned by former French armycamp and Champasak Provincial Museum
Travel to the Bolaven Plateau and have an experience and view of the coffee fields, waterfalls, river islands of Si Phan Don (4000 Islands), trekking, and village stays at Sepian National Protected Area.
Savannakhet
It is more officially known as Kayson Phomvihane. It is the capital of Savannakhet province and the second largest city of Laos Thailand and East Vietnam.
While in this city, ensure you visit the tourist information where you can see the “Plaza”, the Ing Hang Stupa where many Buddhists travel to in December for their annual Boun Pha ceremony. You should also see Kaysone Phomvihane’s house, Wat Xayaphoum, a dinosaur museum that exhibits dinosaur bones and the Old French colonial buildings in the central city area.
Savannakhet also provides Eco tourism treks as you explore the Dong Natad Forest.
Eco-tourism in Luang Namtha. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from http://www.luangnamtha-tourism-laos.org/file/districts/luangnamtha/Eco_tourism_activities/Eco-tourism.html
Savannakhet. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from http://wikitravel.org/en/Savannakhet
