Laos is a small, landlocked country located in Southeast Asia. It’s known for its incredible natural beauty and ancient temples, as well as its vibrant cities and friendly locals. With so much to see and do, it can be daunting to decide where you should go first. Plan your dream trip to Laos; here’s a list of the top 10 places you must visit.
- Luang Prabang
The royal capital of Luang Prabang is an absolute must-see when visiting Laos. This charming city is filled with beautiful temples and picturesque streets lined with French colonial buildings. Make sure you take advantage of exploring Mount Phousi or taking a boat trip down the Mekong River.
2. Vang Vieng
This small town is located just four hours away from the capital city of Vientiane. It’s most famous for its stunning limestone karst mountains tower above the Nam Song River. Spend some time trekking through the countryside or take a tube ride down the river for an unforgettable experience.
3. Vientiane
The capital city of Vientiane has something for everyone – from bustling markets to tranquil temples; there’s plenty to explore in this vibrant city. Visit Sisaket Temple and marvel at its thousands of Buddha statues or wander through COPE Visitor Centre and learn about the country’s history during the Vietnam War.
4. Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands)
This archipelago consists of over 4,000 islands on the mighty Mekong River in southern Laos. It’s a paradise for nature lovers – go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding around some of these stunning islands, or take a boat tour to see Irrawaddy dolphins up close!
5. Huay Xai
Due to Huay Xai’s proximity to the Lao-Thai border, many travelers who pass through one nation to the next stop there. A boat may be taken from Huang Xai to Luang Prabang, and for many people, this is the highlight of their vacation to Laos. It is also well-known for its Mekong River excursions. Additionally, Bokeo Nature Reserve, renowned for its breathtaking gibbon experience, is accessible through this location.
6. Bokeo Nature Reserve
The Bokeo Nature Reserve, located outside the town of Huay Xai, is a famous nature reserve renowned for its conservation work to safeguard black-cheeked gibbons, which were rediscovered in 1997 after being mistakenly believed to be extinct. In addition to engaging in enjoyable jungle activities like swinging on a zip line, the park lets guests overnight in tree huts that provide a bird’s eye perspective of the forest canopy. In addition to the well-known gibbons, the park is home to elephants, bears, tigers, and buffalo. Serious birdwatchers can also see hundreds of different kinds of vibrant birds.
7. Nong Khiaw
Nong Khiaw, also known as Nong Kiau, is a picturesque location in Laos that is quickly making a popular name for itself as one of the most incredible spots to visit in the nation if you want to get away from it all. You may go bicycling around the picturesque towns surrounding the central city and take advantage of the beautiful walking and hiking options available here. You can take a boat excursion from Nong Khiaw to the lovely Nam Ou River to view the area from the water. Nong Khiaw is also located along this beautiful river.
8. Tham Kong Lo
The Kong Lo Cave, a part of the larger Phu Hin Bun National Park, is known as Tham Kong Lo. The center chamber of the cave, located in the park, is regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular. The garden and cave are situated along the Phu Hin Bun River. The shelter, which is around 6.5 kilometers long and 300 feet high, is famous for its gorgeous jade-colored ponds, which are claimed to have the same color as the skin of the Hindu god Indra. The ideal method to explore the cave is to take a boat tour down the breathtaking chamber and take in the rock crystals, stalagmites, and stalactites found there.
9. Luang Namtha
The largest city in Laos’ northwest, Luang Namtha, is well known for serving as a stopover for travelers between Laos and its neighboring China. As you can venture outside into the surrounding mountains and explore the villages of the ethnic hill tribes in Laos, this location is also a top choice for anyone who enjoys trekking. If you don’t want to hike, rent a bike or a motorcycle and spend the day riding around the many communities and admiring the stunning waterfalls in this region of the country.
10. Wat Phu
In the Champasak Province of Laos, there is a stunning Khmer temple called Wat Phu, also called Vat Phou, near Phu Kao Mountain. In the mighty Khmer Kingdom that extended from Angkor in neighboring Cambodia, this Hindu temple, constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, would have been a binding site. These days, you may still locate Angkor-inspired structures in Laos that the woods have partially eroded.
Laos offers countless unique attractions that are waiting to be discovered! From ancient temples and vibrant cities to stunning natural landscapes, there is something here for everyone! So what are you waiting for? Book your next trip to Laos now and start planning your dream vacation!
