Show the Asia Inspirations team someone who can resist Laos’ charms and they’ll collectively go and buy hats and then eat them. With relish. This quaint and pristine nation is still so often overlooked that you still get that great feeling that you’re entering virgin territory – here are our top five things not to miss:
1. Wat Xieng Thong
Luang Prabang is a city full of beautiful temples, and Wat Xieng Thong tops them all with its tranquil yet exuberant beauty. The main temple was built in 1560 and has been little changed since. It has long been one of the country’s most important temples due to the fact that it was the place that Laos kings were once crowned. Amongst its peaceful precincts, take time to admire the magnificent sweeping roofs, the intricate wall stencilling, mirrored elephant heads and, most impressive of it all, the elaborately beautiful mosaic of the ‘tree of life’, replete with peacocks and tiger.
2. Plain of Jars
The Plain of Jars are one mega(lithic) mystery – nobody has yet to work out what these thousands of huge stone jars were used for. Scattered in clusters through the valleys and foothills of central Laos, around Phonsavan, theories such as used for burial practices or to brew rice wine have all been put forward. The fact is little is even known about the civilisation that created them, just that they were around between 500BC and 200AD. So why not go and ponder the mystery for yourself? Or at least go and enjoy the beautiful landscapes that the jars sit in.
3. Vang Vieng’s scenery
Smack bang in the middle of some beautiful scenery, Vang Vieng has become Laos’ capital of outdoor activities. There is nothing more pleasant than wandering through lush green rice paddies passing in the shadow of rows of ragged, limestone outcrops. A river flows languidly here, a luminous blue pool perfect for a cooling dip there, a cave to explore somewhere else – it is a paradise for anyone, whether you’re looking to sit around and admire or to get stuck in. Kayaking and rock climbing are particularly big here, though there are plenty of lagoons and caves that can be explored and enjoyed independently.
4. Si Phan Don
Located in the far south of Laos, Si Phan Don (‘Four Thousand Islands’) is an archipelago of islands in the mighty Mekong. You’ll never have been anywhere quite so charming and quite so sleepy – time barely moves at all on Si Phan Don, it is one of the country’s most traditional areas. It is up to you how active you want to be. There are options to explore by bike, stopping at beaches and waterfalls or heading out on the river to spot endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. Alternatively, just mooch about and get a taste of what it’s like to feel utterly laidback.
5. Kuang Si Waterfalls
Kuang Si Waterfalls cascades through lush tropical forest just 30 kilometres from Luang Prabang. Whilst the main falls are 60 metres tall, from the bottom the water tumbles through a series of aqua blue travertine pools set prettily among verdant foliage. Not only aesthetically spectacular, they are also perfect for a swim, especially if you’ve fully explored your way around all of the pools and up and over the main falls. Whilst here, pop into the Bear Rescue Centre to meet the adorable Asiatic black bears (moon bears) rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.