Laos is an undeniably beautiful country and one that has not yet been overrun by tourists, primarily because of the totalitarian government that ruled the country until 1989. Now becoming a popular stop on many Asia tours, Laos is still finding its feet in entertaining guests. What this means for a visitor is a completely authentic experience - tasting local foods, seeing unspoilt temples and exploring lush jungles where few westerners have been.

This Southeast Asian country has some incredible sights that shouldn’t be missed, and it is small enough that you should be able to take all of these in within one holiday to Laos.

Luang Prabang. Located in the north-central part of the country, this UNESCO World Heritage City is home to some amazing colonial architecture that whispers of the former French colonisation, interspersed with truly historic Laotian temples. The tipsy wooden houses here are particularly wonderful.

Champasak Cultural Landscape. The southern province of Champasak has earned Laos another UNESCO award for its confluence of ruined temples, many of which date all the way back to the 12th century and were home to various types of worshipers, from Hindus to Buddhists.

Tham Nong Pafa Cave.  Visiting this recently-discovered cave complex in central Laos is a surreal experience, for upon entering, you are greeting by hundreds of bronze Buddha statues that have been preserved inside for three centuries. Within the central corridor of the cave, visitors must travel by canoe to see statues that have been immersed in water.

Si Phan Don. The Mekong River flows through Laos and before it reaches the border with Vietnam, splits into dozens of smaller waterways that curve through the grassy countryside. Here are the so-called “4000 islands”, a group of river islands that range from tiny to large. The real draw for travellers to the islands is simply the laid-back atmosphere and the chance to explore several waterfalls close to the inhabited islands.

Subscribe to the post comments feeds or Leave a trackback