the Travel Enthusiast
- 05 Dec
kachou_n in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTSTop 5 secret attractions in Laos
A typical view of Laos. Beautiful, hot and cultural
There is a good reason why the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has been dubbed Lao: Please Don’t Rush. Laos is a very poor country, and severely underrated in comparison with its Asian neighbors like Thailand or Vietnam, but there are few other places on the planet where life is more relaxed and laid back than in Laos.
This forgotten country has more natural wonders on one square kilometers than most countries have on their entire territory, and Laotian culture can only be described as enthralling. Most attractions in Laos are unknown to a lot of people (perhaps with the exception of Pha That Luang, the gilded stupa of Vientiane), and there are many many more attractions just waiting to be discovered. Here are the top 5 secret attractions in Laos that deserve a little love and attention.
The Plain of Jars
Plain of Jars, photo by Nick Hubbard
The Plain of Jars in Central Laos is a startling sight – simply put, it looks like a field where an ancient race of giants dropped their oversized stone cups.
This huge megalithic site contains several thousands of giant stone jars of unknown origin. Both their makers and their reasons for building the jars are shrouded in mystery, but there are lots of local legends about them.
Luang Namtha
The small town of Luang Namtha is usually considered a stop on the backpacker trail from Laos to China, but there are reasons to linger for at least two days here. If you want to experience the unspoiled Laotian wilderness, Luang Namtha is the best base of exploration, and if you are more interested in culture then you have ample opportunities to visit the nearby hill tribes.
Champasak
Champasak, photo by Adam Jones
Angkor Wat (Cambodia) is probably the most famous Hindu temple complex in the world, but the underrated Champasak complex in southern Laos is equally fascinating and more devoid of visitors.
Champasak’s temples were built in the early Middle Ages, and some, like Wat Phu, are still in use today as Buddhist temples. The Khmer ruins at Champasak are a very interesting, and very valuable as they are also a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Muang Ngoi Neua
The small village of Muang Ngoi Neua in northern Laos is one of the most remote settlements in the country, and it can only be accessed by boat. This stunning little village probably has the best scenery of all the villages in the world, and the fact that there is no running water or electricity yet, still manages to be so inviting, and will make you question your value of modern city life.
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travel search by Travelgrove (get this widget)Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng, photo by G Meyer
Vang Vieng was the sort of place that not even backpackers spared a second glance, but that’s not the situation right now. The small village has turned into a backpacking heaven that still manages to be quiet and laid back during the day, and one of the best nightlife destinations in Laos at night.
The best feature of the area are the many caves scattered over the karst mountains surrounding Vang Vieng, as well as ample opportunities for tubing on the river.
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