Located in the heart of Indochina, Laos is bordered by Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Myanmar and it is an exotic, beautiful and welcoming country worth visiting and exploring. It is one of the few communist countries in the world and until 1988 was closed to visitors. In recent years however, more and more tourists come to Laos to discover the attractions of this relaxing country, with mountains and rivers.
Tourists can find here Buddhist realms full of peace, remained unchanged since ancient times. In Laos you will discover Luang Prabang, the country's spiritual capital, where every morning, at sunrise, there is thank-offerings to the hundreds of monks in orange robes. You have the chance to see the quiet streets of Vientiane and to meet representatives of different ethnic minorities.
For now, the country is not very developed and the capital Vientiane is more like a large village rather than a crowded Asian center. Most tourists who visit Laos limit themselves to seeing the capital and mysterious plains with pitchers. But those who make an effort to really discover this country will find a wonderful landscape, friendly people and unique view of a country that has not changed from the last century.
Almost half of this mountainous country is forested, making it a great natural setting. You can leave behind the modern world and start exploring the magnificent mountain range Annam, you can take a ride on the Mekong, you can admire the spectacular waterfalls and unique limestone caves in the world.
In Luang Prabang, temples such as Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Mai (temple famous for its frescoes), Wat That, Wat Aham and Wat Sinun, glow in the sunlight. Royal Palace and National Museum are two objectives that you should not miss visiting when exploring the spiritual capital of the country. Wat is Chompet is the hilly land where you can admire the city at sunset.
The capital Vientiane is renowned for Wat Sisaket with its thousands of representations of the Buddha, Wat Prakeo, Simuang Wat, That Luang monument, the Arc de Triomphe, the monument Patouxai and Talat Sao or Morning Market. The circuit must be completed with a visit to Tad Fane waterfalls and to the tea and coffee plantations on the Bolaven plateau. Another attraction that will surely amaze you is Wat Phou, a pre-angkorian temple, part of the UNESCO heritage.
By Maria Morari
