Officially known as the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Laos is situated in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China in the north, Vietnam in the northeast, Cambodia in the south, Thailand in the west and Myanmar in the northwest. Southeast Asia's only landlocked country, Laos has a total area of around 236,800 square kilometers (146,816 sq. mi.). The capitol and largest city of Laos is Vientiane. Other major towns and cities include: Louang phrabang (the former royal capitol), Pakse, Savannakhet, Vang Vieng, Patong, Phonesavanh, Pakse and Houeixay.
A mountainous country in the north and east, with thick dense forests, peaks in the north of the country rise as high as 9,000 ft. The Mekong River which flows through the country forms a natural boundary with Myanmar and Thailand in the west. Nearly 60% of the land in Laos is covered with rainforests. As a third world country, there are no trains in Laos. One of the best ways to view this beautiful country is by boat trip along the Mekong.
Laos was known as Lan Xang or ‘the land of a million elephants’ and offers visitors a glimpse into old Indo-China. Comparatively less developed than all its neighbors, Laos is an undiscovered tourist haven. With its spectacular natural beauty and an unusual blend of Buddhist culture and French influences, Laos has charming and picturesque towns and villages, amazing scenery and a slow, relaxed pace of life.
City Life
Divided into 18 provinces and 47 prefectures, this country is a culturally rich land of around 6 million people of various ethnicities. Vientiane, its capitol is situated on the banks of the Mekong River and is one of the country’s most interesting cities. Southeast Asia's smallest capitol, Vientiane has countless temples and pagodas as well as important Thai and Khmer shrines and relics which explain this country’s rich cultural diversity. A great way to explore this city is by foot as it is full of hidden surprises like rice fields and vegetables gardens that grow right next to old French colonial buildings and gilded temples. The most important national monument in Laos is the Pha That Luang (the Great Sacred Stupa) located in Vientiane. This stupa is a symbol of Buddhist and Lao sovereignty. Other places of interest in the city include Wat Pha Kaew (a former royal temple which is now a museum) and Wat Si Saket (the oldest temple in the city).
The most fascinating city in Loas has to be Luang Prabang. This city was the old capitol of the Lan Xang Kingdom from 1354 to 1560 A.D. Renowned throughout the world for its rich cultural heritage, Luang Prabang is known as the seat of the Lao culture. Listed as a ‘world heritage site’ by UNESCO, this sleepy town has many monasteries, monuments and historic temples. Its main tourist attractions are its beautiful temples, 32 of which were built before French colonization and are still standing. Other interesting sights in the city include the Royal Palace Museum, Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Wisunlat. Just 25 km (15.5 miles) from the city, along the Mekong River, are the Pak Ou caves, which are filled with stunning Buddha images.
On the way to Luang Prabang from Vientiane is the small town of Vang Vieng, which is popular among backpackers and tourists for ‘tubing’. Here people sit in giant rubber tires and float down the Nam Song River, along the way exploring caves and jumping off swings and cliffs. Located in the south of the country is the province of Savannakhet. This area is perhaps the most traditional of Laos’ provinces. Interesting to see here are the buildings in the central business district of the capitol city which are a reminder of this country’s French colonial influence.
Ancient Sites
Further south of Savannakhet is Pakse which is close to Wat Phou, a temple built by the founder of the first Khmer empire, Jayavarman II. This temple predates the historic temple of Angkor Wat by 30 years. Also located close to Pakse is Southeast Asia's highest waterfall, Khong Phapeng.
Near Phonesavanh lies one of Asia’s greatest mysteries, the Plain of Jars. Unknown in origin, there is no explanation for the countless 8 foot high earthenware jars that lie scattered across the plain. The jars which weigh as much as six tons were fashioned from solid stone and do not seem to have come from the surrounding area. Thong Hai Hin is the biggest and most accessible jar site, has the largest jar on the plain. Houeixay is in the northwest corner of Laos on the borders of Thailand and Myanmar. This area is often visited because of its connection with the Golden Triangle, which is a junction of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos where opium was once cultivated in vast quantities.
