LAOS
g Rive r
LAOS
Kuang Si Waterfall
Pak Ou
LAOS
Vang Vieng
Nong Khiaw
Luang Prabang
VIETNAM
Phonsavan Muang Khoun
Patuxai Vientiane
Getting there : Vientiane and Luang Prabang are about 13½ hours by air from the UK ( via Bangkok or Singapore ).
Best time to go : Laos is always hot and humid . November-January are the cooler months ; the wet season is June-October , while February-May is drier and very hot . River travel is best between November and January due to high water levels .
Landlocked between Thailand and Vietnam , the long forgotten backwater of Laos is startlingly beautiful with rolling mountains , jagged limestone cliffs , brooding jungles , remote tribal villages and not forgetting its lifeline , the mighty Mekong River . The pace of life is slow , centuriesold traditions are lovingly retained and the Lao people wonderfully welcoming . In the sleepy capital , Vientiane , tree-lined boulevards are crowded with frangipani and tamarind , ancient ruins , gleaming stupas and graceful colonial buildings . When its time for a cuppa , you ’ ll find an enticing number of cafes and patisseries , a tasty legacy of French rule . Luang Prabang , a UNESCO World Heritage Site , is one of Southeast Asia ’ s most alluring places and considered to be the religious heart of Laos . Wander the palm-lined riverbanks and tranquil streets , absorbing the sights of gilded wats and traditional wooden houses . For a truly picture-
South China Sea
Kung Si Waterfall
A land of ancient treasures and exotic intrigue ; of smiling faces and saffronrobed monks ; this is authentic Asia perfect snapshot of bygone Asia , set a 4am alarm and , with luck , you ’ ll catch Buddhist monks as they wander the city to collect alms from the locals . Just outside the city are the popular Kuang Si Falls where it ’ s possible to enjoy a refreshing swim in the pools . Other places of interest include the spectacular scenery and outdoor pursuits of Vang Vieng ; in Champasak you can see Khmer ruins including Wat Phou , a UNESCO World Heritage Site ; while the small rustic town of Nong Khiaw is ideal for absorbing rural Laotian culture . In the southeast see the incredible Plain of Jars , some 300 man-height stone jars which are strewn across the hills . Much of the rest of Laos remains carpeted by green and punctuated only by small backwater towns as well as the Mekong River and its slow-flowing tributaries . There is perhaps no better way to discover this stunningly scenic and culturally distinctive land than a river cruise . See pages 134-135 for details .
Vientiane Hin Boun
Mekon
THAILAND
Pakse Muang Champassak
158 INDOCHINA
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