Where to visit first in Laos

The only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, Laos is one of the most authentic countries in the world. The following places to visit for your first trip to Laos are the major highlights in the country.

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is the most popular destination in Laos among budget travellers and backpackers. It’s situated in central Laos and is surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery of karst hills, limestone mountains, caves and tunnels, and rivers. It could be considered to be Laos’ adventure capital. There are many tour companies offering adventurous activities, from kayaking and tubing to spelunking and hiking. The downtown bar scene is worth checking out as well.

Bolaven Plateau

Southern Laos’ Bolaven Plateau is a landscape of thundering waterfalls, dense forests and tea and coffee plantations. Located more than 1,000 metres above sea level, the plateau is blessed with a milder and cooler climate than most of the rest of the country. The abundance of natural highlights, such as the Tad Fane and Dong Hua Sao waterfalls, invites visitors to strap on a pair of hiking boots and head into the jungle.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, set on a peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, was the royal capital of Laos until 1975, when the communists took over. The city is the most visited destination in Laos and, home to several amazing sights, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Luang Prabang, you will see bald orange-robed monks, old temples with golden roofs and French colonial buildings.

Plain of Jars

One of the most unusual sights in Southeast Asia, and also one of the world’s main archaeological mysteries, the Plain of Jars occupies a large area around the city of Phonsavan. There are hundreds of stone jars or urns, spread out among several archaeological sites. No one knows their purpose. When you visit Laos, this is an absolutely must-see attraction.

Wat Phu

Wat Phu, also known as Vat Phou, means ‘mountain temple’ and is a complex of ancient Khmer temple ruins. This complex of Hindu temples dates from between the 11th an 13th century and consists of tall trees, pavilions, pillars, courtyards, shrines, palaces and much more. The historical importance of this marvelous site is shown in the fact that it was declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

Vientiane

Vientiane is the capital of Laos and features many fascinating sites and sights. It’s a free-spirited city with a beautiful waterfront that lines the Mekong River. Other attractions are the stunning Phat That Luang stupa, the hundreds of Buddha statues in Wat Sisaket and the triumphal arc known as Patuxai. Additionally, you can also enjoy the incredibly relaxed atmosphere and the surprising mix of cultures— Chinese, Vietnamese, Lao, French and American.

Mekong River

Southeast Asia’s greatest river is more than 4,000 kilometres long, a large section of which lies in Laos. In a country that lacks proper roads and is covered with mountains and hills that aren’t always easy to access, the Mekong River provides the major transportation route. An absolute highlight of any trip to Laos, or to Southeast Asia in general, is taking a cruise on the Mekong River.

See more: What to eat when traveling in Laos

Source: Internet

The unique experiences you can only have in Laos

Laos is full of undiscovered riches, mysterious legends and secluded wonders. You do not have to try very hard to find something, or somewhere, so far outside of the realms of conventional tourism that no postcard will do it justice. Almost everything in Laos is a unique experience. Here are some favourite experiences that are unique there.

Take boat from the border to Luang Prabang

If you are entering Laos from the Lao-Thai border in the north, Nagi of Mekong offers a two-day river cruise on a 118 foot (36m) traditional Lao river boat. Start in Houay Xai, stay overnight in a guest house, and arrive in Luang Prabang the next day. Cruises are available upstream from Luang Prabang to Houay Xai as well.

Sleep nestled in the jungle canopy

The well-known Bokeo Nature Reserve lies just outside the town of Huay Xai. It was discovered here, thanks to the regions ongoing conservation work, that the black-cheeked gibbon, thought previously to be extinct, was rediscovered. Nowadays, the park is a protected area staffed with exerts tasked to increase gibbon numbers. The park also allows you to spend the night in vertigo-inducing tree houses which give visits a bird eye view of the forest canopy below, allowing you to catch a glimpse of the elephants, bears, birds, tigers and buffalo who call Bokeo home.

Soak up the island life on Si Phan Don

Si Phan Don, as known as “Four Thousand Islands”, is a valuable destination for anyone looking for some laid-back days in their Lao trip. Accessing to some of Laos’s most spectacular natural wonders, Si Phan Don is so graceful with the smell of wildflowers in the air, the scene of buffalos grazing grass, and lazy fishing boats flowing in the river. A visit to this destination will give visitors exciting experiences including discovering the majestic nature, eating Lao food at one of the islands’ many stilt-mounted restaurants, biking on the island roads, and kayaking among the more navigable stretches of the Mekong River nearby.

Go tubing in Vang Vieng

No guide mentioning the fun stuff to do in Laos would be completed without mentioning tubing in Vang Vieng. Once a favourite of partying backpackers, the government restrictions on raucous bars along the river edge has now meant that everyone should feel welcome to come give it a go. The concept of tubing is simple. You reach a starting point with a large inflatable rubber ring. You then get into said ring, and proceed to float along the river with your pals, family, or fellow tubers, stopping at will at any bar or scenic spot along the way. How to stop, you ask? Simply call out ta the bar of your choice, where someone will be ready with a rope to pull you in. Whilst thousands of people still take to the tubes every year without injury, some basic swimming skills are advised, as well as reasonable alcohol consumption.

See more: 5 activities to do in Vang Vieng, Laos

Get lost in Tham Kong Lo Cave

Tham Kong Lo is a majestic karst limestone cave located in Khammouane Province of Laos. The karst formation is dramatic and the cave has been cited as a “one of Southeast Asia’s geological wonders”. This otherworldly cave can blow you away, with its majestic charm and unique kart forms just like a reminiscent of the Greek underworld. The underground stretch of the river goes on for about four miles; from Ban Kong Lo village, you can hire a motorized boat to enter the cave, where you will gape at the show provided by colored floodlights bouncing off the intricate cave interiors.

Source Internet