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    Tourist Attractions in Laos

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Laos. Photos and a brief description.

    About Laos

    A state in Southeast Asia. It is not rich in economic terms, but the exoticism of local natural beauties compensates for the lack of luxury. There are many beautiful Buddhist temples and palaces. The terrain is mountainous, all covered with dense subtropical vegetation. The climate is very warm all year round, but there are rainy seasons. The best time to visit the country is the relatively cool and dry months from November to February.

    Tourism in the country is actively developing, you can easily find quite decent hotels, even luxury. Perhaps only the capital, Vientiane, can boast of the most developed infrastructure, although there is also no “boiling of life” here. The situation in the capital and the country is quite safe and calm. The most popular mode of transport is a bicycle, and tourists actively rent them. The basis of the cuisine is rice, fish, poultry meat. There are a lot of vegetables and fruits, the most popular of the drinks is fruit juice with pulp and ice. As souvenirs, you can bring beautiful local fabrics, jewelry, traditional umbrellas from the sun, spices.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Laos

    Buddha Park (Wat Sieng Khuan)

    A park on the banks of the Mekong River, 25 km from the capital. It houses many sculptures of Buddha and other, sometimes fantastic, creatures and compositions. The structures are stylized, seem ancient, although the park was opened about 50 years ago. There is a lot of greenery around, a great place for walking. The most visited tourist destination in Laos.

    Buddha Park (Wat Sieng Khuan)
    The Triumphal Arch of Patusai

    The Triumphal Arch of Patusai

    A monument in honor of Lao soldiers who died in the war. The architecture of the arch is traditional, but the design is made in compliance with national techniques. The memorial is installed in the center of the capital, on one of the main avenues. Nearby there is a small park, ponds, and musical fountains. There is an observation deck at the very top of the arch.

    Valley of Pitchers

    A vast area near the Annam ridge, on which thousands of ancient stone objects (pots) of unknown purpose are located. Each stone vessel weighs several tons. Hypotheses about their purpose are different, there is no consensus. The pots are scattered across several sites in the valley, tourists can enter only three of them.

    Valley of Pitchers
    Royal Palace and Ho Kham Temple (Luang Prabang)

    Royal Palace and Ho Kham Temple (Luang Prabang)

    Both sites are located close to each other, located in the former capital of Laos. The palace is the residence of the last king of Laos. The building is very decorative, brightly decorated and perfectly preserved for more than a hundred years that have passed since its construction. Located in a secluded place, far from the capital and civilization, it is a unique natural and architectural complex. The temple complements it, being a rare example of a Buddhist temple building.

    Pak Ou Caves

    The Caves of a Thousand Buddhas, a temple rock complex on the Mekong River, near the old capital of the country. About 4,000 Buddha statues are located there. They are brought by locals and pilgrims. You can get to the caves only by river, there is no pedestrian road.

    Pak Ou Caves
    Wat Sisaket Temple

    Wat Sisaket Temple

    7000 Buddha statues, the oldest of them belong to the XV century. Most of the statues are located outside the temple, in special niches, and inside there is one large one with a sculpture of a giant cobra next to it. Entrance to the temple-museum is paid, but purely symbolic. Part of the complex is given to monks, it is impossible to visit it.

    Pha That Luang Temple

    The architectural monument of Laos No. 1, is considered a symbol of the country. The structure is ancient, large-scale and majestic. The central building is a Large Stupa. The protruding part of the temple covered with gold can be seen from afar. Other temple buildings are located around. The territory between them is well maintained, there is a souvenir market nearby.

    Pha That Luang Temple
    Ruins of Wat Phu

    Ruins of Wat Phu

    The remains of the buildings of the ancient temple complex, located in the southern part of the country. The ruins are surrounded by picturesque green hills, one of which (the mountain Phoo Kao) was an object of worship of the ancients and is associated with the temple. The preserved elements of the buildings belong to the XI-XIII centuries. Even the small surviving part amazes the imagination with the richness of carvings, decorative ornaments. The monument is protected by UNESCO.

    Mekong River

    The longest river in the territory Indochina. Part of it flows through Laos. It has picturesque green shores, mangroves are found in large numbers on them. There are many inhabitants, fishing on the river is famous for its fantastic scope. About 700 km is navigable, but the riverbed often shallows. Tourists actively travel along the river on traditional boats.

    Mekong River
    Tat Quang Si Waterfall

    Tat Quang Si Waterfall

    It is located on the Mekong River, in the national Park of the same name. From August to November, the waterfall makes the most vivid impression, since at this time it has the maximum water level. It is a whole system of amazingly bright blue lakes and water cascades, the highest of which reaches 54 meters. A favorite vacation spot for the local population and tourists. One of the most picturesque and interesting corners of the country.