Xieng Khuang Province
Xieng Khouang province is located in the Northeastern part of the Laos with a population of 196000. It consists of 6 districts: Muang Khoune, Muang Phonsavanh, Muang Nong Hai, Muang Kham, Muang Mork, and Muang Phou Koud. The former chief-city was Muang Phouane, now called Muang Khoune. After the liberation, the Lao government settled the chief-city of the province in Muang Phonsavanh.
Muang Phouane was the main old town of Xieng Khouang province with its historical sites such as the Siphom temple, Phia Vat temple, That Chom Phet temple. According to legends, these temples were built 250 years before the establishment of the Lane Xang kingdom.
It is a province that holds great importance in Lao history for the war waged against foreign imperialism and was the stronghold of revolutionary forces.
The hundred of giants jars of Xieng Khouang are carved out of solid hunks of rock from the mountains surrounding the valley. The stone jars of all sizes strew all over the plateau make an awesome sight. Thus scientist have dubbed it "Plain of Jars". The biggest jar is 3.25m high. The ancient jars, which according to the Lao history were made during Khun Chuang's time to store wine for the celebration of his conquest of Pakhanh City (Xieng Khouan). And some researchers claimed that they were made to store dead human bodies as was the practice of ancient believers. This conclusion derived from the fact that human bones along with daily utensils and omaments made of clay and metal were discovered in the area. According to many researchers, these jars are between 2500 to 3000 years old. It is believed that they were made by stone age men who lived in this part of Laos then.
The Hot Springs, approximately 52 km north of Muang Phonsavanh, are located in Muang Kham district, another area of historic significance. The water reaches a temperatures of 60 degrees Celsius. |
Luang Prabang is the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom. According to the Luang Prabang legend, the first name of Luang Parabang was Muang Swa, named after King Khun Xua around the eighth century, later known as Xieng Dong and Xieng Thong. During the reign of King Fa Ngum between 1354 and 1372 A.D., Xieng Dong, and Xieng Thong cities were renamed Luang Prabang in the name of the gold image of Buddha, the Phrabang.
Luang Prabang was the capital of the Lane xang kingdom from 1354 A.D. The capital was then transferred to Vientiane city in 1560 A.D. Luang Prabang is rich in cultural heritage, known as the seat of Lao culture, with monasteries, monuments traditional costumes and surrounded by many types of nature's beauty. Luang Prabang province has a total population of 365000.
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The spectacular Kouangsy Waterfall is located in an ideal area deep in the forest, away from human habitation. It is perfect for rest and relaxation. On the way to the falls, quaint villages with their traditional hydro-rice mills can be also visited.
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The National Museum , formerly the Royal Palace.
Constructed as a palace between 1904 and 1909 A.D., during the reign of King Sisavangvong, now turned into a National Museum, it houses the Royal throne of Lan Xang kingdom in its original splendor, and many other regalia and religious treasures.
It is located on the bank of the Mekong River, facing Mount Phusi. |
Situated on the bank of the Mekong River, on the wedge of land formed where the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers meet, Vat Xiengthong was constructed in 1559/1560 A.D. by king Say Setthathirath. Vat Xiengthong is the most beautiful among all monasteris of Luang Prabang and represents the typical Lao art style.
Many old and beautiful religious artifacts of the period between the sixteenth and the twentieth centuries, and some ancient masterpieces of Lao art, for a valuable collection of cultural heritage. |
The cool limestone caves are located on the steep rock cliff rising vertically from the waters of the Mekong River, at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The craggy mountains scenery is breathtaking with overhanging cliffs above the swift flowing river.
The best attractions here are the two caves full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and sizes. The lower cave called Tham Ting , or Tham Leusi contains a hermit of Leusi statue. The other noteworthy cave is called Tham Theung ( upper cave ), or Tham Prakachay. The caves can be reached by a 2 hours boat trip, upstream from Luang Prabang. |
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Savannakhet Province
Savannakhet has 692000 inhabitants. The importance of this province lies in its strategic position for traveling from Thailand through Laos and on to Vietnam by Road No. 9, the highway servicing trade between Thailand and Vietnam.
Khanthabouly is the capital city of the province. Its main tourist attractions are the temples. These are among the most typical and beautiful in the country, especially That Inghang. The sanctuary of That Inghang holds special ceremonies in the third month of the year. Interesting Khmer ruins are found at Ban Heu Hin. Vat Saya Phoum is the most important temple in Savannakhet.
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Luang Namtha Province
Luang Namtha province is located in the northwest of Laos, bordered by Myanmar in the northwest, China to the north, Oudomsay province to the southeast, and Bokeo province to the southwest. 39 ethnic groups make up the population of 125000, each groups having its own dialect, culture and lifestyle, but coexisting peacefully -- a reflection of traditional solidarity. |
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This province has a picturesque beauty with mountains, and many old temples. Although many temples have been destroyed during the war, there is still remaining one major attraction: an old temple noticeably different from other classic temples. The road twists and turns alongside the Nam Luan river, through beautiful vistas of wild countryside. A clearing inthe vegetation presents a view of a characteristic village on the slope opposite, belonging to Thai Luan ethnic group.
The village of Muang Sing is centered around a large market, where a lively weekly market takes place every Sunday. Being near the Chinese border, this market is an important goods-exchange point for border inhabitants of both sides, and hill people frequent it regularly. |
Sayaboury Province
Sayaboury is situated in the northwest of Laos, sharing borders with Vientiane province and Luang Prabang province in the east, and Thailand in the west. This mountainous province has several peaks with altitudes of more than 1000 meters.
The principal town is commonly called Muang Sayabouri, where many impressive temples such as Vat Ban Thin, Vat Ban Phapoon, and Vat Natomoy are located. |
Khammouane province is situated in the central part of the Laos with an area of moderately high mountains sloping down to the Mekong valley. Fertile land here is well suited to plantation of rice, cabbage, sugar cane, bananas etc.
A total population of 258000 is made up of lowland Lao groups: Phuan, Tahoy, Kri, Maling and also Hmong. |
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Sikhotabong Stupa
Thakhaek is the provincial capital and is well-know to day-tripping Thais from Nakhon Phanom, just across the Mekong. It also has well-preserved French colonial architecture similar to that found in Vientiane. At about eight kilometers to the south of the town is the That Sikhotabong or Sikhotabong Stupa, constructed around the ninth to tenth century by King Nanthasen.
Striking limestone formations in the vicinity, especially those along the Sebangfai River near Mahasay town are worth seeing.
Thakhaek is accessible by Lao Aviation flights every Friday from Vientiane. By road, it is about 354 km, and from Savannakhet to Thakhek is about 137km.
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Champassak province is one of the main political, cultural and economic centers of Southern Laos. It is a province where there are historic sites in Pre Angokorian style of the period of Lan Xang (1353-1779). Champassack was a rich cultural center like many other provinces. It still keeps the typical style of an abundant culture. The capital of Champassack is Pakse. The province is located at the confluence of the Mekong and Xe Don rivers.
Vat Phou is an ancient stone palace, an architectural marvel, located on the eastern slope of Kao mountain, at about 45km from Pakse district. Its is the crowning jewel of Champassack province and perhaps of the entire country.
Khone Pha Pheng waterfall is in the south of Laos, at about 130km from Pakse. It is known as the most beautiful waterfall of Southeast Asia. The "Pa Kha" or river dolphins inhabits this part of the river. They are nearly extinct and considered an endangered species. The dolphins could be a potential major attraction for tourist, as they are only found in this area of Asia.
Vat Phou |
Khone Phapheng |
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Odomxay Province
This mountainous northern province is wedged between Luang Prabang in the east, Phongsali in the northeast, Sayaboury in the South and China sharing a small northern borders. Most of Odomxay's provincial population of 283000 is a mixtures of 23 ethnic groups such as Hmong, Iko, Khamu, Lamet, and Thaidam.
The capital, Muang Say, lies between two strings of Hmong villages where the hill people have settle. Eleven kilometers east of the town is a pretty waterfall, the Lak-Sip-Et falls. A traditional salt-extraction cooperative and a hot spring can be visited at Ban Luang La.
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Borikhamsay province is located in central Laos in the narrow "neck" with moderately high mountains sloping south west into the Mekong River valley. To its north lie Vientiane and Xieng Khouang provinces, and Khammouan to its south. Paksan, the capital town is a commercial center located opposite to the Thai town of Beung Kam. The province has a total population of around 28000, comprising mostly of lowland Lao groups such as tribal Thai, Phuan, Tri and Hmong.
80 km from the city of Vientiane, on the way to Paksan, in Borikhamsay is a town called Phra Baat Phonsan. With a large Phra Baat ( footprint of Buddha ) shrine, it is an important pilgrimage site. |
Bokeo Province
Bokeo province is in the northern Laos, with its capital extending along the bank of the Mekong River. The three country borders intersection (Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar), known as the "Golden Triangle", is located here. |
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Bokeo province has five districts: Houseisay, Ton Pheung, Meung, Parktha and Pha-Oudom. With 36 townships, it has more than 400 villages and a total population of 60000, consisting of many ethnic groups, each with their own lifestyles and customs. The most lucrative occupation in Bokeo is gold panning and digging for precious stones.
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Laos
