Traversed by the Mekong River and mountainous terrain, Laos is a country that still holds much of its charm from yesteryear while progressing forward with a new, funky vibe.
Located in South East Asia at the heart of the Indochinese peninsula, Laos is bordered by Myanmar (Burma) and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southwest, and Thailand to the west and southwest.
Affectionately known as the Kingdom of a Million Elephants, Laos is like a land lost in time, with a strong French Colonial influence meshed with a timeless quality to rural life, where stilt houses overlook paddy fields. Laos retains many of the traditions that have disappeared elsewhere in the region.
Travelling Laos, you will discover a country untainted by mass tourism and Asia in slow motion – this is Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), or ‘please don’t rush’ as the locals like to joke.
Who travels to Laos
A holiday in Laos is always full of surprises, spirituality, generous hospitality, and of course, breathtaking photo opportunities. This Southeast Asian country attracts travellers looking to take it slow and enjoy a relaxing view of mountains and untamed natural beauty. If you’re an adventurer at heart, Laos’ lush jungles are home to miles of scenic trails, underground river caves, and waterfalls. For couples, there are plenty of opportunities to take in the romance of the country and indulge in some 5 star luxury while stealing magic moments like sunsets on the Mekong River Cruise.
How to get to Laos
The international airports at Vientiane and Luang Prabang are served by the Lao national carrier Lao Airlines and a few others, including Scoot, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways (Luang Prabang only), and Vietnam Airlines. Pakse is the third international airport with flights to/from Siem Reap as well as to/from Ho Chi Minh City.
Top Things to do in Laos
Explore Luang Prabang
This region as a whole deserves special mention. Located in Northern Laos, Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the ancient capital, it is charming little town that features former royal palaces and more than 30 temples, old French colonial architecture as well as beautiful natural sites.
Visitors can take part in the Giving Alms Ceremony in Luang Prabang. Photo Credit: Kate Webster
Alms Giving Ceremony
Also in Luang Prabang, hundreds of saffron-robed monks gliding through the streets every morning in a call to alms, one of the region’s iconic images. Visitors can take part in the Alms Giving Ceremony, waking early in the morning and armed with a basket of sticky rice, give handfuls to the monks that pass. It is a beautiful tradition to be a part of.
That Luang
That Luang, or the Great Stupa, in Vientiane is a national symbol (on Laos’ official seal) and also the most sacred monument in the country. From the outside That Luang looks more like a fortress surrounded by high walls and it features two temples with the main stupa, the top of which is covered with gold leaf, standing 148 feet tall.
Laos Buffalo Dairy is an interactive farm experience. Photo Credit: Kate Webster
Laos Buffalo Dairy
A socially-responsible enterprise consisting of a commercial dairy and production facility to make products such as yogurt, cheese and ice cream for local and overseas customers, Laos Buffalo Dairy can be found in Luang Prabang. Get a hands-on experience by visiting the farm, feeding the animals and even washing the buffalo. Finish up by tasting some of the products that are made from the buffalo milk.
Bolaven Plateau and Tad Fane Waterfall Pakse
Champasak Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos is famous for its great scenery, ethnic villages and unexplored corners. It’s probably best known for being home to some of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular waterfalls including Tad Fane and Dong Hua Sao. The plateau’s elevation ranges approximately from 1,000 to 1,350 metres above sea level.
Mandalao Elephant Conservancy is a place where elephants can just be elephants. Photo Credit: Kate Webster
Mandalao Elephant Conservancy
Mandalao is a non-riding elephant experience focused on education and animal welfare. Here you can spend time with some of Laos’ rescued elephants who are there to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. If this is not possible, they have come to live out the rest of their days in what is dubbed the “happy elephant retirement village”. The conservation tours allow visitors to get up close and personal with elephants while learning the importance of their conservation.
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
Buddha Park (aka Xieng Khuan) is a famous park with more than 200 religious statues including a huge 40-metre high reclining Buddha image. Located in Vientiane, it was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, a monk who studied both Buddhism and Hinduism. This is why his park is full not only of Buddha images but also of Hindu gods as well as demons.
Ock Pok Tok in Luang Prabang. Photo Credit: Kate Webster
Ock Pok Tok
Ock Pop Tok (meaning “East Meets West” in Lao) was founded on the principles of fair trade and sustainable business practices. The company was pioneering social business and ethical fashion before these terms were even a part of our cultural lexicon. Located in Luang Prabang, visitors can take a free guided tour, stroll through the gardens (where you’ll find the natural materials for our dyes) or come to the Living Crafts Centre to watch the 28 master weavers on their looms. If you have time, you can even participate in a class or two.
Vang Vieng
North of Vientiane, Vang Vieng is simply a piece of heaven on earth that has attracted many world travellers for years, especially young backpackers. Surrounded by great mountains, rivers, limestone cliffs and rice fields, this small and scenic town offers a long list of interesting attractions. The Nam Song River is where you will witness the infamous ‘tubing’.
Kuang Si Falls in Luang Prabang. Photo Credit: Kate Webster
Kuang Si Falls
Kuang Si Falls have 3 tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into shallow pools, before flowing downstream. The pools make great swimming holes – you can change into your swimwear at wooden huts close to the waterfall’s entrance. Surrounded by a lush tropical jungle, the pools have cascades of up to 5 metres high. There are trails leading to the top of Kuang Si Falls, where you can see the stream feeding into the falls. Wear proper footwear as the trails can rather get slippery, especially during the wet season.
Wat Sisaket
Wat Si Saket located in Vientiane is famous for its cloister wall housing thousands of tiny Buddha images and rows with hundreds of seated Buddhas. These images mainly date from the 16th and 19th centuries and come in all sizes and are made from wood, stone and bronze – more than 6,800 Buddhas in total.
Mekong River Cruise. Photo Credit: Kate Webster
Mekong River Cruise
Take a cruise down the Mekong for sunset with Mekong Kingdoms in Luang Prabang. Step aboard the stunning wooden boat as it sets off down the Mekong serving up drinks and canapes as you just watch the world drift by. Enjoy the glorious sunset over the mountainous surrounds before cruising back to the streets of Luang Prabang.
How to book Laos
A number of wholesalers offer packages to Laos that include airfares, accommodation and sightseeing tours. There are also escorted tours for long periods of time through wholesalers such as Travel Indochina and Wendy Wu.
How to learn more about Laos
Laos Tourism’s official website https://www.tourismlaos.org/ is packed with information on the country, suggested itineraries, a breakdown of the country’s regions, special events to watch out for and much more. You can even follow them on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube to stay up to date with some incredible places to visit.
