Phongsaly, the hidden gem in Laos

Wake up at a house on the mountain, watch the sunrise, enjoy trekking and admire the beauty of sunset behind the mountain chains, you can find all of these alluring views in Phongsaly, Laos. Phongsaly is the highest city in Laos, it may be not as significant as others, but it will satisfy you like nature heals every soul.

Phongsaly is located in the North of Laos, which shares with Yunnan (China) and Dien Bien (Vietnam). Phongsaly province lies at a high altitude so that its climate is always pleasant and fresh compared to the common weather of Laos. The population is made up of 28 ethnic groups and the most common groups are Khmu, Phounoy, different Akha, Tai Lue and Hor with their own culture, traditions, costumes, and languages. The large forests are home of abundant flora and fauna, and many undiscovered species new to science. Generally, Phongsaly’s topography mainly is mountain and less delta or the midland, besides, it has not affected by urbanization and tourism, which makes Phongsaly remain its pristine beauty. Come and enjoy the green nature and the slow pace of living peacefully and gently.

✦ Highlights in Phongsaly

Harvesting tea leaves

The city is famous for its high quality green tea and the ancient tea plantation. Therefore, picking tea leaves is an interesting experience visitors must try in Phongsaly. Besides, they are able to take part in the complex tea making process including harvesting, drying, roasting, stirring by hand, etc. with teamakers in the villages. According to several tea experts, there are some of the oldest tea trees in the world at the 400 year old plantation in Phongsaly. That the large root system of the old trees is deep into the mineral-rich soil makes the "Phongsaly tea" a distinctive smell and taste.

Having a trekking trip

Going trekking in Phongsaly helps you discover special, hidden parts of the countryside that are rarely visited. You will have a chance to trek through dense forests, see some of Phongsaly’s surrounds, meet people in minority groups. It is said that treks in this area is usually hard and long but it is really stimulating and worth the effort. The official Provincial Tourism Office will provide helpful information about trekking trips lasting from one day to some days. These arranged journeys include guides, visits and overnight stays in villages of traditional ethnic hill tribes such as Phou Noy, Akha, Lao Seng, Lue and Ho.

Climbing to Mount Phu Fa

For those who loves adventure, then conquering the Mount Phu Fa will be the best things to do in Phongsaly. Travelers have to walk across 400 stone stairs to reach the peak of the Mount Phu Fa. At the tophill, visitors will have a chance to view the whole Phongsaly town at height of 1,625 metres. It is very easy to take a picturesque photo of the peace town and surrounding countryside. Watching spectacular sunrise or sunset from the summit of the hill is also one of the reasons urging visitors to move up to the mountain. In addition, travelers will take a sightseeing to a splendid That Phou Xay stupa and an outstanding Buddha statue.

Visiting museum of tribes

This museum gives you a chance to deepen your understanding of the ethnic peoples of Phongsaly province. It contains a wealth of cultural information on animism and customs, with photos and historical background, as well as displays of the vividly coloured costumes you likely see on your travels. If the door is locked, ask for the key from the post office across the road.

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

✦ Cuisine in Phongsaly

To anywhere, the cuisine is a favorite part for all visitors and Phongsaly also has no exception. Phongsaly offers a variety of delicious and exotic cuisines that consists of wild forest ingredients like fragrant herbs, bamboo and rattan shoots.

After the meal, let try a shot of strong wine, a special kind with the green color absorbed from the freshly picked raspberry leaves during the final stage of the distillation process.

Another cuisine is Chinese-style green tea of Phongsaly, which received worldwide recognition for high quality and superb taste. Tea leaves are picked from the 400-year-old tea trees with 6m in height and 30cm in diameter. These tee trees are grown and taken care carefully by Phounoy minority women, no fertilizers and chemicals. After that, the precious tea leaves are compressed in bamboo cylinders and kept in cigar-shaped tubes. Phongsaly people drink a daily cup of tea to keep the body in health, reduce fat and have a clear mind.

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Harajuku, the pop culture and fashion district in Tokyo

Harajuku attracts many visitors with its Japanese pop culture and beautiful nature spots. It is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for adults and some historic sights.

Takeshita Dori

The symbol of Harajuku and birthplace of many of Japan's fashion trends, Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) is a narrow, roughly 400-meter long street lined by shops, boutiques, cafes and fast food outlets targeting Tokyo's teenagers. Because of the street's popularity, it becomes extremely busy and crowded on the weekends. Interesting shops and restaurants can also be found along some of the side streets.

Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Emperor Meiji was a popular emperor who reigned from 1867 to 1912. The majority of the shrine grounds are composed of a beautiful, dense forest that can be explored on walking paths.

Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Koen (Yoyogi Park) is one of Tokyo's largest and most pleasant city parks, featuring wide lawns, ponds and forested areas. It is a great place for jogging, picnicking and other outdoor activities. It is located next to Meiji Shrine. With an area of 54.1 hectares, you can enjoy the natural beauty of all four seasons on the vast park grounds. Visitors can spend their time watching the flowers, having picnics, playing music and enjoying sports in the park. 

Omotesando Hills

Omotesando Hills, five minutes walk from Meiji Jingumae Station, is a shopping mall with a collection of Japanese brand boutiques. Within the facility, there are more than one hundred shops that handle unique and high-quality merchandise. The main building, with three sublevels and three floors above ground, has a central open air space with a unique design. It is surrounded by a spiraling slope. Feel free to come to Omotesando Hills to discover the newest urban Japanese fashion.

Ota Memorial Museum of Art

This art museum is specifically focused on ukiyo-e. Each month the museum selects artwork based on a theme and displays around 14,000 pieces. This includes work by representative ukiyo-e artists such as Utamaro Kitagawa, Hokusai Katsushika, and Hiroshige Utagawa. At the museum's souvenir shop you can buy tenugui hand towels printed with ukiyo-e art, as well as postcards. Both make great souvenirs. You can see various new pieces each time you visit so every visit will be a delight.

See more: Street food in Tokyo, dishes that you should try once

Nezu Museum

At the Nezu Museum, you are able to appreciate Japanese and Western artwork. Buddhist carvings that have become Important Cultural Properties, Japanese paintings designated as national treasures and various other highly acclaimed art pieces are on display here. The collection belongs to industrialist and tea ceremony master Kaichiro Nezu. Nezu Museum’s other appealing point is its Japanese garden. Within the vast garden, there is a teahouse comprised of four buildings. After enjoying at the artwork, we recommend taking a stroll through the garden.

Oriental Bazaar

This is one of Tokyo's largest souvenir shops, very popular among foreign travelers in search of typical Japanese souvenirs, such as kimono, tableware, lamps, dolls, furniture and samurai related goods. The shop spans three floors and has a red and green facade that mimics traditional Japanese architecture. Travelers who pass by the storefront are sure to notice the building. Moreover, a thing that you need to notice that it is closed on Thursdays.

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A guide for coffee lovers in Chiang Mai

This is going to be very exciting because we are going to talk about the best coffee shops in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand is very well known for having more than 300 Buddhist temples and being the home of Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. With more than 2,000,000 foreign visitors per year and 20,000 living in the New City, it is no wonder that their coffee scene is flourishing.

Akha Ama Café

If you are looking for really good coffee, look no further. Good coffee comes with good skills and beans and that is what Akha Ama Cafe is all about. Not only Akha Ama Cafe serves the usual like lattes and americanos, they serve the unusual too. Special concoctions like Shakerato and Irish coffee (made with Jameson whiskey) are great paired with their scrumptious cakes and muffins that are made freshly every day.

Address: Soi 3, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

Ma-Chill Espresso

There is nothing quite like Ma-Chill Espresso. Bringing coffee to another level, their menu is packed with the most creative and visually appealing coffee. Some of the drinks available in their menu are Espresso topped with Homemade Granola Taro Ice Cream (sounds like a combination of coffee, breakfast, and dessert), Iced Coffee Doughnut and Citrus Cappuccino.

Address: 11/11 Sridonchai Rd, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

Doppio Ristr8to

Doppio Ristr8to is widely considered to be the best coffee shop in Chiang Mai. The owner worked for many years in Australia, won awards for his latte art and brought back the secret skills of good coffee to Chiang Mai. The shop on Nimmanhaemin Road is very small with lots of low tables, and is always full. It has an indoor area that is air conditioned and lots of outdoor seating in the sun. Doppio Ristr8to is not the type of cafe to sit hours in, and people often come to drink their coffee, take photos and then leave.

Address: 15/3 Nimmanhaemin Road, Chiang Mai

Graph Café

Graph Cafe believes in simplicity. If your dream is to sip coffee in a minimal design cafe, this one is for you. Some of their newest ideas are Bangkok (cafe latte, oolong tea, boiled egg, yogurt and granola bar served in a condiment tray) and Polar Bear, which has the most beautiful ombré. If you are on run and you can’t do without coffee, they have cold brew served in the fanciest bottle.

Address: 25/1 Rajvithi Lane 1, T.Sriphoom, A.Muang, Chiangmai 50200 Thailand

Bays Café Chiang Mai

Bays Café Chiang Mai focuses on making coffee using the pour over method so there is no machine, just an impressive display of drip coffee devices for you to watch your coffee brew. Bays Cafe is attached to a restaurant called Food4Thought and they share a large open air area in a relaxing garden. There is a roof and indoor area to sit in, or you can sit at the coffee bar with barista Bay himself.

Address: 15/5 Moo 1, Soi Sudjai, off Canal road, Chang Phuak

Kafe Roubaix

Scooters are everywhere in Chiang Mai, but bicycles are now becoming a more popular form of transport for tourists and locals. Embracing this trend, Kafe Roubaix gives a discount if you show up on your bike.
Fun fact: Roubaix is a town known as the starting point of a cycling race in Paris.

Address: Nimman Soi 5, Chiang Mai

Read more: Chiang Mai Travel Guide

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