City: Laos
Top Things to do in Laos
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What to do and see in Laos, Laos: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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. MAG UXO Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 78 reviews
The UXO Visitor Centre provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the most bombed country in the world per capita, and about the work that MAG has been doing in Lao PDR since 1994 to save lives and support development for local communities by clearing the deadly remnants of the bombings.
Reviewed By Gapyearizzie
The visitor centre is very small but contained a lot of important information about the issue of UXOs in Laos, something many western people will be unaware of until they visit this country. The centre had interactive games and videos, as well as bombs and models to help convey the message. The staff were very friendly and welcoming and were happy to answer any questions. They also had free, locally grown tea and coffee as well as calendars that you could take. The whole exhibition is by donation, and it was lovely to be able to support such a worthy cause.
3. Vang Vieng Elephant Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 201 reviews
Reviewed By yatsoony - Acton, United Kingdom
This was a great activity to do with our young kids aged 9 and 7. We were picked up at our hotel in Vang Vieng for a scenic 45 minute drive to get to the sanctuary. When we arrived we had an interesting, informative and entertaining introductory talk by the owner of the sanctuary. This gave a background to the culture, history and threats to elephants in Laos, as well as what he is trying to achieve at the sanctuary. A fairly easy trek (waterproof shoes provided) through a beautiful landscape took us to the elephants’ natural habitat. We were able to feed the elephants with bananas and then bathe them in a nearby river. We then trekked back to the sanctuary buildings with elephants, during which we saw them having a mud bath. Back at the sanctuary buildings we fed them some more and were in turn fed a delicious Lao lunch. It was an amazing privilege to be at such close quarters with these gentle, curious and majestic animals. There are four elephants currently at the sanctuary. Groups of visitors (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) are limited in numbers so as to maintain a good visitor-elephant ratio. I can thoroughly recommend this activity as an inspirational way to spend half a day!
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. 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.
6. Kuang Si Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,068 reviews
Reviewed By itskathyhere
If you're in Luang Prabang, you can't miss this site. This is the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen, and you can climb up to the top of the waterfall, and take a short bamboo raft ride to the source of the waterfall (it's an underground cave). The only thing to note is near the top of the waterfall, there are signs for a cave, which we followed for a while. I think it's about a 2 mile hike to the cave, which is further than we anticipated, and we decided to turnaround half way through since we didn't have the time to keep exploring. If you're tight for time, enjoy your time at the waterfall and don't get distracted by the cave signs!
7. COPE Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,464 reviews
Reviewed By b3n07l0 - Launceston, Australia
This is a museum dedicated to the legacy of the US bombing campaign in Laos known as the ‘secret war’ of unexploded ordinances and the ongoing human impacts which include maiming and death of farm workers and children and the work of COPE and their partners in UXO clearances and the provision of psycho-physical needs of victims. Profoundly moving. Free entry but donations are graciously received and go to find their work in the field.
8. 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
9. 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.
10. Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 985 reviews
Welcome to the Kuang si Falls ButterflyPark Just 300 meters before parking Kuang si Falls Hundreds of Laotian butterflies in a beautiful landscaped garden, natural fish spa included.
Reviewed By seulgison - Munich, Germany
We were surprised that there weren't many visitors when we visited, because this place was seriously great! They give you a booklet that will outline the tour of the butterfly sanctuary, which will take you around the falls and into the butterfly house, to the natural fish spa (there are seats for you to sit and experience this!) and a cute cafe at the end of the tour. We suggest getting the coffee + cake bundle at the beginning when you buy your ticket because they were both so good. There are also seats at the cafe where you can sit down and dip your feet in another pool. You can also feed the fish there too because there was a bowl full of fish food, which was fun to throw and watch. We really enjoyed our time at the butterfly sanctuary!!
