Sights and Activities
Below are the places we saw and activities completed while visiting Laos:
Huay Xai
This was the town we arrived at when crossing the Thai – Laos border over the Mekong River.
Pak Beng
We spent one night in this town during our two-day boat journey along the Mekong River.
Luang Prabang
Be sure to read our article on this beautiful and charming city.
Handicraft Night Market: a colorful and magical market full of textiles, paper lanterns, weavings, and much more that adorn the candle-lit streets.
Wat Xieng Thong: built in 1560, the temple represents classic Luang Prabang architecture, with roofs sweeping low to the ground. The rear wall features an impressive tree mosaic with other mosaic art throughout.
Royal Palace Museum: the structure was constructed in 1904 and converted into a museum in 1975. The museum’s most prized artwork is the Pha Bang, the gold standing Buddha after which the city is named. The museum also had an exhibition on a photographic study of Buddhist meditation, the Floating Buddha Photos.
Kuang Si Waterfalls: 32 kilometers from the city are these beautiful multi-tiered falls that we were able to swim in and jump from a rope hung on a tree.
Kuang Si Waterfalls
Tarzan
Luang Prabang Public Library: we visited the library eager to help locals practice their English and learn more about them. We were fortunate to meet a local university student, Phone, and a novice monk, Bee. We talked to them about various topics for a few hours.
Phu Si Hill: we climbed up the steps to reach this one-hundred-meter-high temple to view the sunset. The name of the temple at the summit is That Chomsi and is backed by a small cave-shrine, Wat Tham Phu Si. There is also a temple the houses a site of a Buddha footprint.
Morning Alms: every morning at about 6 am monks walk down the streets of Luang Prabang with their alms bowls as loyal Buddhists show their respect to them by giving them food. Unfortunately, this event has become very chaotic and disrespectful with tourists shoving cameras into the monks’ face.
Vientiane
That Dam Stupa: a big stupa that lies in the middle of a rotunda
Nam Phou Fountain: A European-like fountain surrounded with tables to enjoy a drink or food
Wat Si Saket Temple: this is the oldest temple in Vientiane. The interior walls contain more than 2000 silver and ceramic Buddha images.
Haw Pha Kaew Temple: a royal temple built specifically to house the Emerald Buddha that now is located in Bangkok.
Patuxai: this monument commemorates the Lao who died in prerevolutionary wars. It is Laos’ version of France’s Arc du Triomphe. We climbed to the top for spectacular views of the city.
Phra That Luang: this massive golden stupa is the most important national monument in Laos.
