Land-locked and oozing rural charm, the country feels like a slide of the world unaffected by the world beyond. Home to a wide array of rare wildlife and boast a diverse landscape, Laos is widely popular among bikers, cyclists, and kayakers, as well as history buffs and nature lovers.
Wedged between the countries in the Indochinese peninsula, Laos shares its land borders with China to the North, Vietnam to the East, Cambodia to the South, Thailand to the West, and a small part of Myanmar to its Northwest. Being the middle ground for the surrounding countries, Laos remains landlocked and seems undisturbed from the influences beyond. The rural charm of its surreal landscapes is home to a wide variety of rare wildlife and makes it a favored destination by nature-loving travelers.
As mentioned above, the history of Laos goes way back to ancient times. Before it used to be a chaotic dispute through conquests and tribal wars until the unification of the vassal states into the Kingdom of Lan Xang. The regime ruled the land pretty well for more than three and a half centuries until it fell by the hands of Siamese and Burmese invaders. However, during the French colonization era, much of the lands reverted to their independent states. The turmoil that ravaged the kingdom, unfortunately, destroyed most of its ancient monuments and temples. Thankfully, parts of the city called Luang Prabang survived the horrific ordeal. Years passed and during the 19th century, the French established rule giving it the current name. This was the time when the boundaries of Laos were loosened and appropriated through a series of treaties with Siam (Thailand). Neglecting the short period of Japanese invasion towards the end of World War II, the occupying French regime reigned until 1953 when internal power struggles in Vietnam led to Laos having full sovereignty. Two decades later, the Vietnamese-backed communist party of Laos took control and is currently the ruling regime in the country.
The Lao people are a Tai ethnic group native to Southeast Asia. Their common tongue is the Kra-Dai which originated from present-day Southern China. The majority of the population in Laos comprises this ethnic group totaling up to 53%.
Tropical monsoon climates are usual in the Indochina Peninsula. Hot and dry weather is common in March and April, then transitioning to a pronounced rainy season from May till October. The temperate and dry climate from November to February remains the preferred season by travelers. In general, monsoon schedule patterns remain accurate with varying amounts of monthly rainfall. Temperatures of 40 °C hit the record high along with the areas in the Mekong during March-April, while 5°C was the record low in the highlands of Xiangkhoang during January.
Buddhism which was introduced during the early 8th century remains the country’s main religion, influencing the daily lives of the Lao people. In the late 1950s however, restrictions imposed by the communist government were seen as an attempt to manipulate the thoughts and attitudes of the population. The regime supported religious practice and used many of its teachings to support their political goals. The country’s capital of Vientiane observes the Luang festival, which is a 3-day celebration of the communist control. This later became a week-long celebration that includes concerts, parades, and other religious ceremonies.
Surprisingly, tourism in the capital of Laos remains quite tame compared to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh. The relaxing and laid-back atmosphere can be attributed to being the smallest capital in Southeast Asia. Though minute in size, Vientiane is home to numerous French-influenced architecture and cuisine. The boulevard along the Mekong is home to the charming night-markets, restaurants, and cafes.
Vang Vieng has made a name for itself for being a popular party destination. Tourists who are in the know values this hotspot for its cheap drinks, loud music, and the activity called “tubing”, where they stay afloat the Nam Song River riding buoys and holding a drink in hand.
The one and only Luang Prabang was formerly the royal capital of the kingdom. It retained Buddhist temples and traditional colonial architecture. The love and attention are well deserved in this cultural heart of Laos. Luang Prabang became a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1995.
The small river town of Nong Kiau is between the mountains and lush rainforests. This charming village is the perfect pitstop when exploring the Northern parts of Laos. A must-see site is a Chinese-built bridge that connects the two sides of the Nam Ou river.
The experience in Muang Ngoi is as authentic as it gets. The rural vibe along the houses provide stunning views to the surrounding karst limestone mountains. Adventurous trekking will take you through the unspoiled natural caves of Tham Kang and Tham Pha Kaew.
The riverine archipelago of Si Phan Don is a group of islands in the Southern end of Laos. Most of the islands are small and uninhabited. And about half of them submerge when the Mekong River has flood. The nutrient from the river makes it a great spot for fishing. And unsurprisingly, most of the locals are fishermen. The principal islands of Don Det and Don Khong are the largest and where most tourists stop by.
This gorgeous town is one of the best places in Laos visitors should not miss. Pakse is the gateway to other hotspots as it converges both Xe Don and Mekong Rivers. Pakse is gorgeous after the rainy season as the Champasak province blooms in vibrant greenery. Organized tours to the South of Laos will take tourists to The Bolaven Plateau. This is a stunning park with lots of waterfall and tea plantations.
Currency: Lao Kit (LAK)
Rate: 1 USD ≈ 8,670 LAK
Area: 237,955 km2
Population: 6.8 million people
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