What to See in Laos – Top Destinations for Adventure Seekers
Laos is considered the ancient jewel of Southeast Asia. You can witness an antique and mysterious beauty throughout the whole country. Gorgeous landscapes, majestic pagodas and temples, hospitable people, and delicious food have made this land a worthwhile destination. If you cannot decide what to see in Laos, the following list will help you have an unexpectedly exciting trip.
Table of Contents
LUANG PRABANG
Luang Prabang is obviously the most famous place in the whole country. Located at the junction of the Mekong and Nam Kham Rivers and covered with mountains, the city has so many majestic landscapes. If you take Laos motorbike tours, it is advisable to visit these beauty spots:
Wat Xieng Thong
Wat Xieng Thong is one of the oldest and most essential pagodas in Luang Prabang, in particular, and in Laos, in general. It was built under the reign of Setthathirat from 1559 to 1560. Wat Xieng Thong means the pagoda of the golden city. This structure brings a typical architecture of Laos with a long curved roof. The interior is even more charming than the external. The relievo and sculpture vividly depict the legends of Buddhism. This is also where people organize significant Buddhism events, so you will surely find Wat Xieng Thong fascinating to explore.
Kuang Si Waterfall
Kuang Si Waterfall is 30 kilometers away from Luang Prabang city. What this site offers is an incredible sight with silver water flow and evergreen trees. It is almost impossible to help to immerse yourself into the crystal clear water. The emerald green of the lake is flawlessly beautiful so that many people love to take a multitude of photos here. Visiting this spot is a must if you visit Luang Prabang.
Phousi Mount
Another stunning site in Luang Prabang is Phousi Mount – the highest place in Prabang. From the top of Phousi, you can admire the full beauty of the area – lush forests mingled with small rustic houses. As you reach the top of the mountain, you will be immediately amazed at the charm of the pagodas and unique Buddha statues.
Pak Ou Caves
These caves are believed to be established thousands of years ago. Inside the caves are stalactites with strange shapes and Buddha statues. Discovering the caves brings great pleasure for those who seek a sense of adventure. So if you have no idea what to see in Laos, Luang Prabang deserves to be your first choice.
PLAIN OF JARS
Lying on Muong Phuon Plateau of Xieng Khuang province, the Plain of Jars is now still a mystery for Laos and international archeologists. There are approximately 1969 stone jars of different sizes in this area. The biggest one is 3 meters high and weighs up to 14 tons. Legends have it that giants were living here, and the jars were used to contain their rice wine. Many hypotheses and questions have been raised about the jars. If you want to witness something imposing yet a bit consternating, the Plain of Jars is there awaiting.
VANG VIENG
Vang Vieng is the answer to both questions: “what to see in Laos?” and “what to do in Laos?” Adventure enthusiasts should not ignore this site because Vang Vieng is not only splendid but also perfect for exciting activities. Limestone mountains, enigmatic caves, and raging rivers are all available to dare your courage. Kayaking, mountain climbing, trekking, cave exploring are all highly recommended here. Peaceful moments on the bank of Nam Song River is a bonus for you. Don’t hesitate to stop at this village; you will love it.
VIENTIANE
If you ask a random person about what to see in Laos, they will probably mention Vientiane. This city is not only known as the capital of this lovely Southeast Asian country but also one of the most beautiful cities in Asia. Here you can see ancient temples and golden palace next to old buildings of French architecture. This majestic city offers so many superb sites that you may need to spend a few days exploring.
Haw Phra Kaew pagoda used to preserve the Emerald Buddha. This was also where the royal family comes to worship – that may be enough to show how important this site is. Breathtaking architecture, outstanding dragon carving, many Buddha statues of different material, and precious relics together make this Haw Phra Kaew irresistibly charming.
Buddha Park is definitely an excellent place for you to learn more about the tradition and religion of the Lao people. The existence of hundreds of statues creates the sacred atmosphere of the site. Most of them are Buddha statues, but you can also easily see ones with the appearance of animals, humans, Hindu Gods, etc. All the tours to Vientiane will take you to this site.
Other places like Lao National Museum or That Luang – the oldest and largest pagoda in Laos – are also fantastic attractions not to be missed. Together with Luang Prabang, Vientiane is the favorite choice of many tourists because there are a lot of things to explore in these cities.
So now you may not have to wonder what to see in Laos anymore. Laos possesses so many awesome destinations that we cannot cover them all in an article. But those spots we have mentioned above are definitely the top best places in this country. Visit vietnammotorbiketoursclub.com to choose one of the best Laos motorbike tours and start a stunning trip to Laos in no time!