City: Laos
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Things to do in Laos, Laos: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Coordinates: 18°N 105°E / 18°N 105°E / 18; 105
Restaurants in Laos
1. Viewpoint Nong Khiaw/Ban Sop Houn
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 308 reviews
Reviewed By ianx17489 - Inverurie, United Kingdom
This was a really rewarding viewpoint to climb up to. We're both early sixty's and found the climb hard but very doable.. (our mistake was to set off for the climb at about noon when the sun was building up...., however that said there is plenty of shade on the way up). The climb took us almost 1.5 hour, easy pace. Younger fitter people would get up in under an hour. It's a very good path that is maintained very well by the family operating it. We met the son on the way up as he was repairing sections and he was so passionate about maintaining the path. Full credit to him on what he has achieved. There are ropes at some of the tricky parts, which are very useful. As usual, water, sunscreen and mosquitoe repellant recommended... The view from the top is quite stunning and definitely worth all the effort. 360" views. Great photo opportunities. The operators are building a small covered shelter at the top so that apart from shade people can camp up there at night to capture sunrise at no extra charge. In summary a very worthwhile climb, rewarding and best done very early in the morning to catch sunrise and "avoid the afternoon heat"....
2. Laos Buffalo Dairy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 300 reviews
Reviewed By wee_lassy_eats_world - Panama, null
About 5-10 mins from the falls, this was an unexpected 45 minute detour to our itinerary. The enterprise is set up to support local farmers make more money by renting their buffalo to them (only 50% survive at birth). They then work to vaccinate and cross breed to make them stronger whilst paying the farmers rent until their return. All the money they make is from the buffalo cheese (which they sell to hotels, restaurants, etc) donations and very yummy ice cream. They have pigs, ducks, rabbits, etc which you're welcome to feed. You can also milk and bathe the buffalo (which they love!). Very gentle creatures who love a good cuddle and seem very happy and content in their home. Well worth the visit if you have time (a very reasonable 50k kip for the tour)
3. Vat Phou complex Temple - World Heritage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Khmer temple complex dates back to the 10th-14th centuries and offers magnificent views.
Reviewed By stefanblank
It is like Angkor in Cambodia but not so crowded. It is much smaller, but its got a nice atmosphere and a lot to see. An electric shuttle bus brings you to the old buildings. There is a holy spring and a little temple at the top. From there you have a really good view over the whole landscape. Don’t miss the museum, it‘s worth a visit.
4. Wat Xiengthong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,268 reviews
Laos' most enchanting temple was built in 1560.
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In the ancient city of Xien Thong (literally, "The Golden City"), almost at the junction of rivers Mekong and Nam Kham, King Setthathirath ordered, in 1559, the construction of a temple. It was named "Wat Xien Thong", the "Temple of the Golden City". King Setthathirath probably never imagined this would become the city's most beautiful temple, and even maybe of the whole Laos - the "Land of a Million Elephants". Later on, the city of Xien Thong was renamed to Luang Prabang, meaning "The Place of Buddha" and "Wat Xien Thong" became the royal temple, where kings were crowned and holy relics were kept. The temple was built according to the early Lao architecture features, normally referred to as "Luang Prabang Classic Style", with roofs that sweep low to the ground. Just amazing! Visit the temple, its central shrine (the holy "Sim"), side chapels, pavillions, residences and gardens. And before leaving, near its East Gate, do not dare to miss "The Royal Funerary Chapel", where the "Royal Funerary Carriage" and the "Royal Family Funerary Urns" are housed. Unmissable! Enjoy!
5. The Plain of Jars
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 638 reviews
Sousath Phetrasy is the man who helped open the plain of jars to tourist and the trip run by his son, Mr. Nouds Phetrasy is the most informative in town. Extremely knowledgeable about the region, He run daily tours to the plain of jars sites, include site 1, site 2, site 3, site 8, site 12, site 21, site 23, site 25, site 28, site 42, site 52, and he also organize trek to jungle, villages for Camping, for the war obsessives He run trip to Vieng Xai Phathed Lao leader cave and war site as: Lima site 36, LS 85, and LS 20 A Long Tieng the clandestine in the Saisomboun Jungle created by the C.I.A during the secret war 1965.
Reviewed By jodmarshall - Canning, Australia
Visited site 1 & 2 with tour guide. Both sites offered completely different experiences. Site 2 was so green and mainly on the top of a hill, site 1 was more barren and spread out on flat and hillside. We visited around lunch time and surprisingly we had site 2 all to ourselves, at site 1 maybe only 15 visitors. Great photo opportunity and definatley among the best things we did in Laos worth the long drive from Luang Prabang to get there
6. Wat Si Muang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
Reviewed By vand658
I 1st visited Wat Si Muang a few years back when I visited Vientiane, although it wasn't until I appreciated here did I realise the beauty and history behind the school. We went to Wat Si Muang when I moved in with the house I live in to get numerous blessed water to distribute all around the house. It was then that a buddy clarified the story behind Wat Si Muang. Typically there was a number of attempts at developing a temple in that spot that had been unsuccessful, one day someone (can't remember who) told the people that someone must lose the presence of theirs by shifting in the really effectively therefore the temple may be set up, that specific must be wanting. Which continues to be when a pregnant lady came also and forward after the sacrifice of her, the temple was successfully built. There is a division of the temple which people are in a position to go to offer due to this specific individual, as well as likewise I believe the title of her was Si Muang. Just how accurate would be the story? I couldn't allow you to know, although it'd been told to me by the Lao buddies of mine.
7. Houey Hong Vocational Training Centre for Women
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Houey Hong Vocational Training Centre trains Lao women in weaving, natural dyes, sewing, tailoring and business administration. Beautiful handwoven silk items are made on the premises, along with other products in a range of Lao textiles. Visitors can see the weaving and natural dyes, as part of the every day working environment at the centre. There is a retail shop, where handmade items of excellent quality can be purchased at reasonable prices. For those interested in textiles, or looking for a fun hands-on experience, there is a range of workshops ranging from a half day, full day, to several days. You can learn about natural dyes, and different weaving techniques.
Reviewed By bridgesontheroad - Bargara, Australia
This is a great workshop providing vocational training in textiles, dyeing, weaving and business admin to local women. We went on the short tie-dyeing workshop where we produced one scarf each and it was good fun and very good value. It was also really interesting to be guided around the centre and see the immense amount of work that goes into the weaving in particular.
8. Wat Phu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 802 reviews
The religious complex of Vat Phou, a combination of Khmer architecture and Hindu religion, is located at the foot of Champasak mountains, with the Phou Kao (the sacred mountain with a natural form as a Linga - symbol of Gof Shiva). This complex was built during the first part of the 11th century, with some additions and reconstructions in the 12th and 13th centuries. Some inscriptions belonging to the fifth and sixth century AD do mention a sanctuary built on the hill, together with the foundation of the city, but this building has disappeared and was replaced by the religious complex that we see today. A museum and interpretative room should be visited on the site. Vat Phou is on the list of Unesco World Heritage since 2001. The archeological restauration/conservation of the site is managed by Vat Phou office. The tourism management is managed by Yingchokchai Company, which provides to the tourists quality services (shuttle, toilets, handicrafts shop, coffee shop, wifi, parking...).
Reviewed By arnaud_x95 - Brussels, Belgium
If you visited Angkor before Vat Phu, you will certainly be a little disappointed. Nevertheless, the surroundings of the temple are beautiful and the site is much less touristic than Angkor. Go there early in the morning: you will avoid the crowds and take benefit of cooler temperatures to visit the temple. A must do in Laos!
9. Golden Buddha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 266 reviews
Reviewed By Itsmorning - Manchester, United Kingdom
There is not a lot to do or see in Pakse town but a must do is the golden Buddha. Great views of Pakse and the Mekong. I drove up but if you are feeling energetic you can flex your muscles and walk up the steps. You also get to cross the Mekong
10. Old Quarter Luang Prabang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,466 reviews
Reviewed By Travelling_SE_Asia - St. Albans, United Kingdom
A UNESCO Heritage Site, the Old Quarter in Luang Prabang is a network of old French Colonial architecture, buildings, narrow alleyways and roads. The main road is Sisavangvong Road where the Night Market is, but you can go off the main road to walk around or just have a stroll and see more. Next to the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River, the main area is where the Nam Khan River joins the Mekong River. It’s a beautiful area and you should take your time exploring it. There are lots of tourists but they keep the main road free of litter for the most part.
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