Top 10 Attractions in Laos

State in Southeast Asia. Not rich in economic terms, but the exotic local natural beauty compensates for the lack of luxury. Many beautiful Buddhist temples, palaces. The relief is mountainous, all covered with dense subtropical vegetation. The climate is very warm all year round, but there are rainy seasons. The best time to visit the country is during the relatively cool and dry months of November to February.

Tourism in the country is actively developing, you can easily find quite decent hotels, even luxury ones. Perhaps only the capital, Vientiane, can boast of the most developed infrastructure, although there is no “boiling of life” here either. The situation in the capital and the country is quite safe and calm. The most popular form of transport is a bicycle, which is also actively rented by tourists. The basis of the cuisine is rice, fish, poultry meat. Many vegetables and fruits, the most popular of the drinks is fruit juice with pulp and ice. As souvenirs, you can bring beautiful local fabrics, jewelry, traditional sun umbrellas, spices.

What to see in Laos?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

Buddha Park (Wat Xiengkhuang)

Park on the banks of the Mekong River, 25 km from the capital. It contains many sculptures of the Buddha and other, sometimes fantastic, creatures and compositions. The structures are stylized and seem ancient, although the park was opened about 50 years ago. There is a lot of greenery around, a great place for walking. The most visited place in Laos by tourists.

Triumphal arch of Patusai

Monument in honor of the Laotian soldiers who died in the war. The architecture of the arch is traditional, but the design is made in compliance with national techniques. The memorial is installed in the center of the capital, on one of the main avenues. Nearby there is a small park, ponds, and musical fountains. At the very top of the arch is an observation deck.

Valley of Pitchers

An extensive area near the Annam Range, where thousands of ancient stone objects (pots) of unknown purpose are located. Each stone vessel weighs several tons. Hypotheses about their purpose are different, there is no consensus. The pots are scattered over several areas of the valley; tourists can enter only three of them.

Royal Palace and Ho Kham Temple (Luang Prabang)

Both objects are located close to each other, located in the former capital of Laos. The palace is the residence of the last king of Laos. The building is very decorative, brightly decorated and perfectly preserved for more than a hundred years that have passed since its construction. Located in a secluded place, far from the capital and civilization, it is a unique natural and architectural complex. The temple complements it, being a rare example of a Buddhist temple building.

Pak Ou Caves

Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, a rocky temple complex on the Mekong River, near the old capital of the country. There are about 4000 Buddha statues there. They are brought by locals and pilgrims. You can get to the caves only by the river, there is no pedestrian road.

Temple Wat Sisaket

7,000 Buddha statues, the oldest of which date back to the 15th century. Most of the statues are located outside the temple, in special niches, and inside there is one large one, with a sculpture of a giant cobra next to it. The entrance to the temple-museum is paid, but purely symbolic. Part of the complex is given to the monks, you can not visit it.

Temple Pha That Luang

The architectural monument of Laos No. 1 is considered a symbol of the country. The building is ancient, large-scale and majestic. The central building is the Great Stupa. The protruding part of the temple covered with gold can be seen from afar. There are other temple buildings around. The territory between them is well-groomed, there is a market with souvenirs nearby.

Ruins of Wat Phu

The remains of the buildings of the ancient temple complex, located in the southern part of the country. The ruins are surrounded by picturesque green hills, one of which (Mount Phu Khao) was an object of worship of the ancients and is associated with the temple. The surviving elements of buildings date back to the 11th-13th centuries. Even a small surviving part strikes the imagination with the richness of the carvings, the decorativeness of the decorations. The monument is under the protection of UNESCO.

Mekong river

The longest river in Indochina. Part of it flows through Laos. It has picturesque green shores, mangrove thickets are found in large numbers on them. Many inhabitants, fishing on the river is famous for its fantastic scope. About 700 km is navigable, but the channel often becomes shallow. Tourists actively travel along the river on traditional boats.

Tat Kuang Si Waterfall

Located on the Mekong River, in the national park of the same name. From August to November, the waterfall makes the most striking impression, since at this time it has the maximum water level. It is a whole system of amazingly bright blue lakes and water cascades, the highest of which reaches 54 meters. A favorite vacation spot for locals and tourists. One of the most picturesque and interesting parts of the country.