Top 10 Places To Visit And See in Laos
Laos is renowned as a peaceful country, characterized by its solemn Buddhist temples and its kind and hospitable people. In contrast to the vibrant lifestyles in Vietnam and Cambodia, Laos exudes an extraordinary calmness and leisurely pace that often leads it to be overlooked in many travelers’ journeys through the diverse landscapes of Southeast Asia.
However, few realize that this seemingly forgotten land holds a beauty that surprises anyone who visits. To help you better appreciate the charm of Laos, let us explore some of the country’s most remarkable tourist destinations.
To find a tour of Laos or customize your itinerary, please visit: Laos Tour Packages
The Capital Vientiane
The capital city of Vientiane is an essential destination in your Laos travel itinerary. This city offers a unique blend of ancient architecture and modern cultural influences. Here, you can explore the Blue Orchid Garden with its thousands of rare orchid species, visit the sacred national temple Pha That Luang, and stroll along the bustling streets by the Mekong River.
To explore Vientiane, please check out the tour: Vientiane 3 Days
That Luang
Situated in the heart of Vientiane, That Luang is a significant Buddhist stupa and a distinctive symbol of Laos. Its official name, Chediloka Chulamani, means “World Precious Stupa,” but locals have long referred to it simply as That Luang, highlighting the temple’s grandeur both in scale and significance.
From a distance, That Luang resembles a lotus pedestal cradling a precious relic, with its majestic spire rising 45 meters high, symbolizing the nation’s heritage, the origin of the universe, and representing a united, creative, and intelligent Laos. Surrounding the main stupa are smaller, gold-gilded stupas.
Buddha Park
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) is a unique sculpture garden and has quickly become one of the top five tourist attractions in Vientiane.
Located beside the Mekong River, about 25 kilometers east of Vientiane’s city center, Xieng Khuan Sculpture Garden features around 300 sculptures of varying sizes inspired by both Buddhist and Hindu beliefs.
The entrance alone leaves a strong impression on visitors with its distinctive Lao temple architecture, featuring multiple tiers of roofs and tall spires. Each roof end is adorned with stylized images of the Naga, a mythical serpent believed by the Lao people to offer protection.
Every year, Buddha Park welcomes thousands of tourists, especially during the year-end festivals. Numerous service facilities and tourism products are being developed to attract more visitors, especially in the upcoming Laos Tourism Year 2024/2025.
The Ancient Capital Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, located in northern Laos, lies more than 300 kilometers from the capital, Vientiane. The city is situated on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, surrounded by lush, green mountains.
Luang Prabang is renowned for its rich architectural and artistic heritage, reflecting a blend of traditional Lao urban architecture and colonial influences. Most buildings are one or two stories high, built in the traditional style, featuring balconies and wooden decorative elements.
In Luang Prabang, you can also visit traditional craft villages along the Mekong River, such as the hand-weaving village and the Sa Paper-making village. In December 1994, Luang Prabang was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To explore Luang Prabang, please check out the tour: Luang Prabang Exploration – 4 Days
Xieng Thong Temple
Xieng Thong Temple is one of the most famous temples in Luang Prabang. Built between 1559 and 1560, the temple showcases distinctive Lao Buddhist architecture. The intricate decorations on the temple walls depict the daily lives of the people of Luang Prabang.
Kuang Si Falls
Another renowned attraction in Laos, known for its majestic and unspoiled natural beauty, is the stunning Kuang Si Falls. Located about 30 kilometers from the city center of Luang Prabang, the falls’ turquoise waters draw numerous visitors who come to admire the scenery and swim in the pools.
Vang Vieng Town
Vang Vieng is perfectly situated as an unmissable stop on your journey through Laos, nestled between the capital city of Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
With its ideal topography—backed by mountains and facing the river—Vang Vieng is like a peaceful rural haven along the Nam Song River. This small town exudes a sense of pristine charm while also being incredibly lively. The town’s unspoiled beauty is evident in its lush greenery and the ever-gentle flow of the river winding around the limestone mountains.
A variety of adventurous and exciting water activities have been created to entertain visitors. Tourists can choose from water slides, bungee jumping, kayaking, trekking, or tubing. Among the most daring of these activities is bungee jumping—a thrilling leap from a height of about 30 meters, where participants bounce on an elastic rope before plunging into the river below. The inherent risks only add to the allure of these adventurous water sports.
The Nam Song River is fully utilized to entertain visitors, with activities spread along its length. There are numerous pastimes for tourists, such as exploring caves, trekking, bungee jumping, kayaking, and hot air ballooning along the river. For those feeling lazy, simply floating on an inflatable tube allows you to soak in the fresh air and enjoy the scenic views of the sky, river, and mountains of Vang Vieng.
To explore Vang Vieng, please check out the tour: Vang Vieng – 4 Days
Pakse, Champasak
Champasak, unlike other bustling cities, remains quite pristine and serene. Often referred to as Laos’s hidden gem, it is rich in cultural, architectural, and religious heritage, featuring ancient temples such as Wat Phou, Wat Oum Muong, and Wat Phou Salao. The region also boasts beautiful natural landscapes, including the weaving village of Saphai Viengxay, the Mekong River archipelago Si Phan Don, and magnificent waterfalls. Champasak has become not only the economic, commercial, and cultural hub of southern Laos but also a connecting point between Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Wat Phou
The sacred temple Wat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the cultural centerpiece of Champasak. Located about 40 kilometers from the city of Pakse along the Mekong River, Wat Phou is a unique stone complex built between the 9th and 13th centuries.
Despite the ravages of history, many parts of the temple remain in ruins, yet you can still admire the impressive carvings and bas-reliefs. Visitors can climb stone steps flanked by statues of Linga and upright stone pillars to reach the upper temple area.
Xieng Khuang
Xieng Khuang is located approximately 435 kilometers southwest of the capital, Vientiane. This land is home to many famous yet mysterious landscapes, with the most renowned being the Plain of Jars, surrounded by numerous legendary tales. Interestingly, there are no surrounding mountains in this area, leaving the origin and formation of these jars still unexplained.
The Plain of Jars
A truly unique site to visit in Laos, the Plain of Jars is a famous megalithic archaeological landscape. Visitors are often astonished by the thousands of ancient jars scattered across the Xieng Khuang plateau.
Dating back 1,500 to 2,000 years, these jars are believed to have been used for burial purposes or as storage vessels by the Mon-Khmer people. Surrounded by countless legendary stories, the exact purpose of the jars remains a mystery. Moreover, the Plain of Jars was one of the most intense battlefields during the Indochina Wars, and the remnants of this violent past evoke a poignant reminder of those turbulent times.
Conclusion
If you are planning to travel to Vietnam or Cambodia, consider combining your trip with a visit to Laos. The proximity of these countries can help you reduce travel costs. Laos offers fantastic attractions, friendly people, and a rich culture that will undoubtedly enhance your Indochina adventure. SVietnam Travel, a tour operator specializing in the three Indochina countries, can help you create the perfect itinerary for you and your family. Feel free to contact us for free advice.
