Welcome to Laos to watch the following story of Luang Prabang, the world heritage site.

Luang Prabang, the best preserved city in Southeast Asia

A landlocked Asian country of mountainous wilderness in the north, dense jungle in the east and the mighty Mekong River in the west and south, Laos is an unspoiled, largely rural country. Although this communist land remains among the world's poorest nations, Laos offers a glimpse into a timeless and forgotten Asia.

What’s Cool

Floating down the Mekong on an inner tube, Luang Prabang's hundreds of temples, the mysterious Plain of Jars, French style baguettes and Lao coffee, boating around the 4,000 Island, Vientiane's Morning Market, the lush forests of the Bolaven Plateau, the slow pace of life.

 

What’s Not

Old and unreliable buses, pot holes the size of a car, towns that seemingly go to bed at sunset, dust, scorching temperatures in the hot season, unexploded ordinance, poor food hygiene.

When to Go

Best: October-February
High season: November to February, April
Low season: June to October

Visas

US/Can: on-arrival (15 day)
EU: on-arrival (15 days)
Aus/NZ: on-arrival (15 days)

Essential Info

Time: GMT+7
Electricity: 220V 50Hz
2 prong round or flat pins
Money: Lao Kip
1US$ = 8,400 Kip
Phone: ICC (+856) Outgoing: 00
Precious hidden gems including temple-clad Luang Prabang and the old-fashioned capital city of Vientiane as well as many historical and natural wonders make Laos a cheap and newly popular destination for adventurers. The busiest tourist hotspots have seen old colonial mansions come back to life as boutique hotels while restaurants have cashed in on the French connection.
Travelers wishing to get off the beaten track of this slow-moving country can head for the mysterious Plain of Jars, a protected landscape dotted with huge jars carved out of stone, the origin of which is debated. Adventurous travelers should think twice about straying too far off the tourist track however, as unexploded ordinance from the Vietnam War era still plagues the nation.

Travel to Laos - Getting There

There are flights connecting Vientiane's Wattay Airport to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Yangon and Kunming . Alternatively there is a service from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang. Vientiene is also easily accessible by bus and train from Bangkok via Udon Thani. Catching the boat down the Mekhong from Northern Thailand is a popular adventure. Within the country buses are the only transport options, they are slow and hardly comfortable but usually make it over the mountainous terrain.

Laos Things to Do

Luang Prabang
Charming former capital, now a UNESCO World Heritage site boasting many beautiful Buddhist temples, French-era colonial houses and must-visit spots such as Phusi - a steep hill overlooking scenic views of the town - the Royal Palace Museum and Wat Xieng Thong, a fine example of Lao architecture.
Vientiane
Low-key capital city features an array of historic buildings including That Luang chedi and temple complex, (the national symbol of Laos), the Pataxi - a neo-Arch de Triomphe, Wat Sisaket and Wat Haw Pra Keo.
Champasak Province
Cruise down the Mekong and explore the 'four thousand islands' at the river's widest point, or hire a three-wheeled tuk-tuk to explore the town which was once a part of the Khmer Angkor Empire.
Vang Vieng
Cool stopover en-route south to Vientiene, popular with backpackers for its free-spirited atmosphere, impressive hilly backdrop, lazy river and exciting caving.
Muang Sing
Home to Laos' most colorful hill tribe people as well as several opium dens.
Plain of Jars
In the country's centre is scattered with bizarre massive ancient jars, the origin of which has baffled many.
The Bolaven Plateau
In Saravan, boasts gorgeous waterfalls and lush forests, the small market here is worth a visit.

Laos Travel Guide

Discover the Jewel of the Mekong river, Laos, by the Lao National Tourism Administration





Laos, the Jewel of the Mekong river (Official video 2008)



Xieng Khuang provincial authorities are hoping to open the door to the province's tourist attractions with two important new keys.

The first is the promotion of the Plain of Jars as a World Heritage Site in 2010 and the second is the construction of an international airport.

Xieng Khuang provincial Tourism Department Director, Mr Khamphet Phommadouangkaison, said “Our province has two big keys to open the door of worldwide tourism promotion.”

“Our vision for the development of our tourist attractions is to make changes in a logical way and follow the slogan ‘a smoke-free tourist industry',” he added.

“The province ranks tourism as second in importance to livestock rearing in its development master plan.”



“At present we are working on documents relating to the Plain of Jars which we will send to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). We hope to have finished all the documents soon and they should be approved by UNESCO by 2010,” Mr Khamphet said.

“We plan to upgrade the provincial airport to an international airport in the near future. The project is now under discussion and we will send a project proposal to the government.”

Another of the province's plans is to develop the 750ha hill on Koud Mountain in Phoukoud district into a new tourist attraction, with a possible opening in 2009.

The Acting Governor of Xieng Khuang province, Mr Viengthanom Phommachanh, said last week the airport expansion would be financed by a loan from a neighbouring country worth about US$50 million.

He said this development would start in the near future because it was very important in bringing more tourists to the province.

“If we have better transport facilities we will get more tourists here. Most of them want to make short trips to local areas of interest so they have more time to spend at the site they visit,” Mr Viengthanom said.

According to a report from the Xieng Khuang provincial Tourism Department, there are actually 1,900 jars scattered over 52 sites, but only three sites are open to the public - two in Kham district and another in Khoun district.

The province has 14 hotels and more than 40 guesthouses.

Most visitors to the province come from Europe, with the rest coming mostly from Japan , China , Vietnam and Thailand .

By Sisay Vilaysack
Vientianetimes

Plain of Jars to become new World heritage site in 2010

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