Laos Travel Guide

Laos is one of Asia's most under developed countries but it is a fantastic and easy to enjoy tourist destination that is full of surprises. Laos is unspoilt and natural in nearly every aspect, and offers the adventurous an insight to a land of exotic cultural and nature based riches.

Vientiane is Asia's smallest capital city, however it is a city with plenty of surprises. You may find fields of vegetables or rice growing at the back of tree-lined avenues, colonial French architecture sitting alongside gilded Buddhist temples or freshly baked French pastries served next door to shops making fresh noodle dishes. Countless temples (Wats) and pagodas with important Thai and Khmer shrines and relics are dotted throughout the country and tell the story of it's sometimes troubled past. Visit Wat Si Saket, Hophrakeo, Patousay (Laos's own Arc of Triumph), That Luang Stupa, the National Cultural Ethnic Park, Friendship Bridge, Buddha Park and the morning markets.

Luang Prabang was the capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom from 1354 AD to 1560 AD, making it rich in cultural heritage and giving it recognition as the seat of Lao culture. Here monasteries, monuments and traditional costume and culture mingle with natural beauty. A sleepy town with a handful of interesting temples and old French shophouses, lovely Luang Prabang has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995. Enjoy a trip to Wat Phousy on top of a hill which looks out across the Mekong River and the stunning Wat Xieng Thong temple, or take an elephant trek and visit the Pak Ou caves.

Top 5 things to do

1. Take a tour of Vientiane

Enjoy the sights of Asia's smallest capital city, including many remnants of historical French colonial influences.

2. Visit Xieng Khuan Buddha Park

3. Take a jungle elephant trek

4. Explore the Pak Ou caves

5. Discover why Luang Prabang is a World Heritage site