The most beautiful places in Laos. Famous sights of Laos: list, photos and descriptions. What to see in Laos

The wealth of each nation is not the level of GDP, but primarily its cultural heritage. - the country is quite poor, especially compared to its closest neighbor, Thailand. However, as far as ancient temples and ancient artifacts are concerned, everything is in order here. If you are planning a trip to Laos, take note of information about its attractions: we bring to your attention their descriptions and photos.

Buddhism has been practiced in Laos for centuries. This most directly affected the culture of the population and the historical heritage of the country. There are a huge number of temples and religious sites, most of which are shrouded in myths and legends. Among this mass it is worth highlighting:

In addition to temples, there are many other religious buildings in Laos that tourists will be interested in seeing. Among them:

Non-religious attractions of Laos

Despite such an abundance of temples and monasteries, there is something to see in Laos even if you move away from the topic of Buddhism. However, the number of such attractions is clearly inferior to the number of objects described in the previous section. So, among the interesting places in Laos the following are worth mentioning:

Natural attractions of Laos

Laos can boast not only of man-made cultural monuments, but also surprise you with its nature. Nestled comfortably in the mountains, this country has many surprises in store for its guests. Among the natural wonders in Laos, it is worth taking a look at the following:

Do not be mistaken that the above list is limited to the number of significant places in Laos. Not at all. This country has about 17 different nature reserves with reserves, among which parks such as

The description of the attractions of Laos is truly extensive. In addition to the famous temples, there are many streets, buildings, and squares that are worth seeing.

The names of attractions in Laos include many natural places such as caves and rivers. One only has to travel outside any of the country's centers to see this. Of course, the main attractions of Laos are in the capital and large ancient cities. We can only advise which attractions to visit in Laos first. Here are some of them:

Luang Namtha is the administrative center of Luang Namtha province. It is located near the border crossing into China. The city attracts tourists not with its significant temples, but with the abundance of colorful mountain tribes who live both in the city itself and near it.

Wat Phra That Sikhothabong- a temple six kilometers south of Thakhek. This is a stupa built in the 19th century. The Laotian style golden stupa is located in a picturesque location next to the river. In February and July, colorful festivals take place here in honor of the annual Buddhist holidays.

Si Fang Dong, or « Four Thousand Islands" - the southernmost part of Laos. The Mekong River floods here. There are, indeed, at least four thousand islands in these parts. You will find many waterfalls. On the largest islands there are settlements of local residents. During Indochina times there was a small French resort here. The stone villas have hardly survived today, gradually being swallowed up by the jungle. Freshwater dolphins live in the waters of the river, and the holiday here is relaxing and calm.

Nam Ngum Lake is located 90 km from the capital; on its shore, as a landmark, is the small town of Pan Keun, where local residents mine salt. From here they go on a cruise on long boats or speedboats. You will see picturesque landscapes, islands and enjoy crystal water.

Bolaven Plateau- a natural attraction an hour's drive east of Pakse. His high - about 1200 m above sea level. There is almost untouched nature, waterfalls, national villages, tea and coffee plantations.

Fan Waterfall - two picturesque streams falling from the cliffs from a height of 130 meters. Located on the Bolaven plateau.

Limestone caves in the village of Mahaksai- Tham En, Tham Mha In and other caves are located near Thakhek. The last cave has a pond, illuminated by the sun through holes in the cave ceiling.

Pha That Luang Temple in Vientiane - a Buddhist religious building, a symbol of the country's independence. This is what can be seen on the state emblem. Pha Jedi Lokayulamani, or the "World Precious Sacred Stupa", is enormous, and the central Stupa is topped with a huge stone lotus.

Simuang Temple- a revered temple in Vientiane, it is said that the guardian of the city, Nang Si, lives in the altar hall. This temple houses a large collection of bronze Buddha statues.

Wat Kho Phra Kaew Temple- a monastery and royal temple in Vientiane, built in 1565 by King Setthathirath. There is also a Museum of Religious Art, or the Buddha Museum.

Buddha Park- an open-air museum 24 km south of Vientiane. There are many statues and sculptures based on Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. The most famous, perhaps, is the giant statue of the Reclining Buddha.

Thai-Laotian Friendship Bridge- road-railway bridge (1170 m) between the city of Nong Khai in Thailand and Laos across the Mekong River. Four trains cross the bridge every day, during which time traffic is stopped.

Wat Xieng Thong, “The City of Golden Temples” is a royal Buddhist monastery in the north of the peninsula between the Mekong and Nam Khang rivers in Luang Prabang. The famous Tripitaka Library is also located here.

National Museum in Luang Prabang - a repository of valuable works of art from the period when the Lang San kingdom existed. There is a copy of a small sculpture of Prabang Buddha, after which the city was named. The original of this statue was gold and weighed 50 kg with a height of 83 cm. In 1779, the statue was stolen by the Thais, and it was returned to Laos in 1839.

Tat Chomsi- Phusi Hill Pagoda. One reaches its foot along a narrow stone staircase of 328 steps. There is a Buddha sculpture in the shade of the Champa tree and locals come here to ask for help.

Pak U Caves- are located on the banks of the Mekong, 25 km north of Luang Prabang. This is a complex of statues and bas-reliefs of Buddha in his incarnations. Tham Ting, or Tham Leusi, the "lower cave", and Tham Theun, or Tham Prakachai, the "upper cave", have the most Buddhas.

Caves near Vang Vieng. You will find entire columns of stalagmites and stalactites here. Guests are shown 5-7 safe equipped caves. There are paths and lighting, as well as underground rivers with the possibility of tubing. Some caves have real temples.

The Ho Chi Minh City Trail near the city of Kay Son Phom Vihan is an open-air museum, which at one time was a military-strategic system of strong points, firing points, strategically important roads and paths. The system was developed by the Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. During wartime, these places were bombed and poisoned with chemicals. There are many remains of ground and air equipment, bunkers, trenches and much more.

That Inghang Temple is located to the east of Kayson Phomvikhana where the ancient city of Sikhothabong was. The temple was built in the 16th century. There are many images of Buddha here. The temple is crowned with a golden umbrella as a reminder of the “kingdom of a million elephants and a white umbrella.” Every year on the full moon between February and March, pilgrims come to That Inghang Temple for a religious festival. Women are not allowed here.

Wat Phu- the remains of a Khmer temple in southern Laos, at the foot of Mount Phu Khao, 6 km from the Mekong River, 40 km from here is the town of Pakse. Nearby is Champatsak, which was once the capital of the Chenla Kingdom. This city is considered one of the oldest in Laos. The complex was erected in the 6th–12th centuries on the foundations of temples dating back to the 5th century. On the temple grounds there are palaces known as the northern (male) and southern (female) palaces. To the north there is an imprint of Buddha's footprint in a stone.

Valley of the Jugs(Xiengkhuang) - located on the Xiengkhuang plateau, 15 km from the city of Ponesawan. The valley dates back to the megalithic era. There are more than 300 huge stone vessels embedded in the ground scattered throughout the valley. The oldest are at least 2000 years old. The purpose of the jugs is still unknown.

The Lao People's Democratic Republic, or simply Laos, is a country located in Southeast Asia. This state borders Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and Myanmar. Laos covers an area of ​​236,800 km2. In 2005, its population was almost six million. This is not a very popular destination among tourists, but that’s completely in vain. After all, the state has a lot of interesting places to visit. A lot of exciting excursions, unusual entertainment and fantastic nature await you.

History of the formation of Laos

Starting from the 14th century, the state of Laos was gradually formed. It has always been inhabited by such migrating tribes as the Lao, Thais, Siam and others, as well as the mountainous warlike tribes of the Mien and Hmong. In the 14th century, the warlord Fa Ngum formed a single kingdom called Lang Sang Hom Khao. This monarchy included disparate powers located around Luang Prabang. The new kingdom lasted until the 17th century. Then it fell apart. Already at the end of the next century, most of the state of Laos (general information is presented in our article) fell under the hand of Thai rule.

At the end of the 19th century, Laos became part of French Indochina. And only in the summer of 1949 he managed to get rid of the influence of this empire. But another misfortune came in the form of the United States of America, which began bombing in 1964. And only ten years later the attacks stopped.

Culture and entertainment of Laos

Laos (the capital is Vientiane) is a country with an amazing culture. It is represented by folk crafts, sculpture, traditional dances and music, as well as painting. The main ones are monuments dedicated to Buddha. Wood, stone and bronze are used to sculpture them. Also, masters often depict various monsters characteristic of Indian mythology.

Buddha is often present in paintings. In addition, artists have always painted scenes from the Ramayana, an Indian epic. Modern painters and sculptors of Laos, along with classical Buddhist subjects, create works that reflect the beauty of nature and folk life.

If you like active recreation, then Laos (the capital is listed above) will provide you with all the opportunities for this. After all, here you can go cycling, trekking and rafting. And in the case when a tourist is a fan of exotic and unconventional pastimes, then tubing is at his service - rafting on reservoirs on an inflatable tube, caving or zip-lining. This is an incredibly amazing activity: in the jungle, on the trees - at a height of 37 meters - 23 platforms are mounted. Strong steel ropes are stretched between them. Travelers are attached to them using a special device. The length of the rope reaches almost one meter, and the distance between the platforms is 180 meters. So try this walk!

What to see

In addition to entertainment, the country is rich in various architectural masterpieces. Thus, Laos, whose attractions are not world-famous monuments, still deserves to have its long-standing cultural sites visited by guests of the country.

First of all, I would like to note that Laos is called the state of millions of these giants. Animals work just like people: they help build housing, overcome long distances, and much more. At the above-mentioned camp, travelers have the opportunity to communicate with these unsurpassed creatures, take a walk through the jungle on elephants and feed the pets. And if you have a chance to visit Laos in February, then you will definitely come to a grand event - the Elephant Festival. Thousands of people gather in Paklai County every year to admire the huge participants. You can travel to this corner of the globe without any problems today, because a visa to Laos is inexpensive and is paid for immediately upon arrival in the country. And if you plan to stay in the country for less than 15 days, then you don’t need it at all.

Monastery of the Kings

Wat Xieng Thong (“City of Golden Temples”) is the name given to the royal monastery, decorated with mosaics and frescoes. This is the largest monastery in the state and is located in Luang Prabang. The religious building was built in 1560. Since then, it has remained virtually unchanged. The temple building is representative of the traditional temple culture of Laos. It can be characterized as follows: gradually bending, the roof slopes descend almost to the ground. The back red wall of Wat Xieng Thong is decorated with various animals and birds in mosaics. The temple itself contains a rare statue of a reclining Buddha. Laos (its sights deserve attention!) will always offer its guests to visit interesting places, albeit not as famous as Stonehenge or the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but still amazing and unsurpassed in their grandeur and beauty.

Blood and the moon

A rectangular panel with three horizontal stripes and a circle in the middle is the flag of Laos. The upper and lower stripes are painted red, symbolizing the blood of the victims who gave their lives for the independence of the country. The middle, largest, stripe is blue, which has become the embodiment of the resources of Laos. In the center of the blue field there is a huge white circle. It has become a symbol of the moon that rises above

On December 2, 1975, the Laotian flag received its legal approval. This composition of the canvas was proposed back in the second half of the 50s of the last century. But the people needed to achieve their independence in order for this symbol of the state to have the right to exist.

Main city

The capital of Laos is Vientiane, and we have already mentioned this. I would like to talk a little about this wonderful place. Its name translates as “city of sandalwood”. Vientiane is considered the main financial center of the entire country. It is inhabited by approximately two hundred thousand people.

The city was founded by King Setthathirath in 1560. At that time, the settlement was also the capital, not of Laos, but of a power called Lang Sang. This state ceased to exist in 1707. At the same time, Vientiane turns into an independent kingdom. In 1779, the settlement was completely destroyed by the Siamese army. And in 1899 it became the capital of Laos.

Vientiane is like Paris

Laos (the capital is listed above) has little similarity with France. Or rather, some overlap can be seen in the main cities of these countries. Thus, Paris boasts the world famous Arc de Triomphe, and Vientiane has the Arc de Triomphe Patusai, which is somewhat reminiscent of its French “counterpart”. The attraction is located on the main street of the Laotian capital - Langsang Avenue. The facility was built in honor of those residents of the country who died in the war for its independence from France.

Oddly enough, Patusai was built with money from the French government. The structure has four entrances and is crowned with small turrets. The arch is decorated with a pattern of lotus flowers, and its ceiling is painted blue and painted with images of elephants, Buddhas and warriors. From the observation deck at the top of the Arc de Triomphe you can see the entire city and its surroundings. There is a belief that if you buy a cage with a bird in a small shop located nearby and, standing on top of the structure, release the feathered creature into the wild and at the same time make a wish, then it will certainly come true.

Buddha Park

Laos, whose capital is a kind of Buddha temple, invites its guests to visit another attraction located in Vientiane. A park. True, the object was not located specifically in the city itself, but in its surroundings. The park is small in size: 200x70 meters. You can see all the sculptures, located very close to each other, in one hour. All sculptures are made of concrete and iron. Their author is the Buddhist artist and monk Bun Liua Surirat. This project was created in 1958.

Now let's go shopping!

So that your family and friends have no doubt that you have visited Laos, bring them souvenirs from this country. Usually tourists bring samples of folk crafts. This could be fabrics, furniture, jewelry. Gifts can be bought in small ethnic shops and at the market. If you make purchases in the capital of the country, you will have to pay more for them than in provincial towns. But still, despite the significant difference in price (almost twice), the cost of souvenirs is not high.

Laos accepts life as it comes. This is the most peaceful destination in Southeast Asia, where you can slow down to get acquainted with the amazing culture and admire the beautiful nature. The unique Valley of Jars is a huge plain stretching from north to south, along which giant stone jars of unknown origin are scattered. According to preliminary calculations, these “vessels” are more than 2 thousand years old. Somewhere in the middle lies Vientiane, perhaps the calmest capital on Earth. Of course, the new urban elite drinks cocktails, rides motorcycles and generally lives like the residents of Bangkok. But this is rather the exception, and the rule - a little away from the road, ordinary people continue to live the same way as many centuries ago.

Sights of Laos

1. Bokeo Nature Reserve

The Bokeo Nature Reserve was created to protect the black gibbon, rediscovered in 1997, which was previously thought to be extinct. In addition to the elusive black gibbon, visitors to the reserve can see elephants, bears, tigers and wild buffalos. Bokeo Nature Reserve is one of the main attractions of Laos.

2. Nong Khiaw (Nong Kiau)

The village of Nong Khiawa is one of the most popular tourist destinations within Laos and one of the most picturesque landscapes in northern Laos. The village is divided into two halves by a river; there is a bridge across the river from which a stunning view of the valley, mountains and river opens. Near the village Nong Khiawa also has ancient caves and speleologists can enjoy exploring them. The village is home to one of the most expensive hotels in Laos.

3. Tham Kong Lo

Tam Kong Lo is one of the geological wonders of Southeast Asia, is a karst cave in Phu Hin Bun National Park. The length of the cave reaches 7 kilometers and the depth is 91 meters. Inside the cave there is a pool that glows a bright emerald color that the locals consider sacred.

4. Luang Namtha

The provincial capital is the largest city in northwestern Laos. This place is popular among tourists, many of whom stop here during their trip from China to Laos. a good place to prepare for a hike in the mountains or visit ethnic hill tribes. Renting a mountain bike or motorbike is a good way to explore the nearby villages and waterfalls. After your trip, you can relax in one of the many herbal saunas, visit the night market at night and buy local souvenirs.

5. Wat Phu

Wat Phu (or Wat Phu), meaning mountain temple, is a ruined temple complex located at the base of Phu Khao Mountain, in Champasak Province. Wat Phu is also a Hindu temple whose structures date from the 5th to 11th centuries. It was part of the Khmer Empire centered at Angkor.

Wat Phu is certainly smaller compared to the monumental Angkor temple complex, but it has retained its own mystical atmosphere. Like other notable Khmer architectural structures in Southeast Asia, it was built using sandstone, laterite and brick.

6. Si Phan Don

Si Phan Don, which means 4000 islands, is a beautiful archipelago of islands that lies in the picturesque part of the Mekong River in southern Laos. Tourist excursions are organized only to the three islands of Don Det, Don Khon and Kong.

7. Phonsavan

Phonsavan (Paradise Hills) - a city in Laos , provincial capital Xiangkhuang . The city is famous primarily due to the fact that P is located near it Avnina K Uvshinov, these are ancient megalithic structures and Nong Tan is a large scenic natural lake surrounded by high limestone cliffs.

8. Vientiane

Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos, located on the Mekong River. Vientiane has long been a French colony and this is clearly visible on the streets of the city, where road signs in French are still preserved. The most popular tourist attraction in the city is the Buddhist stupa, Pha Luang, which dates back to 1586. The height of the Stupa is over 49 meters (147 feet).

9. Luang Prabang

The most popular place to visit and the main attraction of Laos, Luang Prabang is a historical city that once served as the capital of the Kingdom of Laos. Located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, approximately 300 km north ofVientiane. Main attractions Luang Prabang this is numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries.

10. Vieng Xai

The Vieng Hai Caves are a vast network of caves and tunnels that served as a veritable underground city during the Vietnam War.The area was a place of refuge for the Vietnamese army, which fought against the occupiers; the area was subject to carpet bombing by US aircraft.The caves housed a hospital, barracks, bakeries, shops and even a theater; more than 25 thousand people found shelter.The Laotian government promotes the caves as a tourist attraction, similar to the Xi Chi Tunnels in Vietnam.

Laos is one of the most beautiful and mysterious countries in Asia. is Vientiane. This is a landlocked country full of rich architecture and amazingly fabulous nature. The country is small in territory and contains historical monuments, palaces, and sculptures. Caves, forests and waterfalls of extraordinary beauty simply amaze the imagination! In addition to beautiful waterfalls, there are unique speleological caves here. There are more than two hundred caves underground, some containing unexploded bombs from the Second World War. In many caves you can see images of Buddha. In some caves, tourists encounter Buddha figurines made from various materials. Not long ago, a cave was discovered in which human remains were found. They date back to a very ancient period of history. At the moment, bats and some species of birds live in this cave.

Waterfalls of Laos.

The natural beauty of this country is multifaceted. But I especially want to stop at the waterfalls. Where the Mekong River falls from a great height, one of the most beautiful Kon waterfalls begins. It is located in the south of the country. The beauty of the sparkling spray, the noisy flow - everything speaks of the power and strength of this waterfall. But the Tat Kuang Si waterfall is more amazing. The water of this waterfall has an unusual turquoise color. Harmonizing with the color of the sky, an extraordinary, unique view opens up. We can cite, for example, such equally popular waterfalls as E-Tu, Paksuam and Fane waterfalls.

Kuang Si Waterfall is located approximately 30 kilometers south of Luang Prabang. This is in the national park. The waterfall has a main cascade, which is 52 meters, and a series of small cascades. Below the last, small cascade, there is a cave. There are swimming pools between the cascades. The water in these pools has a rich turquoise color. This is because this water has a high limestone content and the water flows through limestone rocks.
This waterfall is popular among locals and tourists. Families and campaigners come here on weekends to have a good rest, swim and enjoy the unique beauty of nature. Entrance to the territory is paid. This makes it possible to keep the area in order, prevent littering, and keep it clean.

How to get to Laos.

If you have a desire to see this beauty, you don’t need to deny yourself this. There are no flights to Laos from Russia yet. You need to fly through Ho Chi Minh City or Bangok. Flights are operated by Transavia and Aeroflot airlines. Travel time 11 hours.
The currency of Laos is the kip (LAK). 1 LAK is 100 cents, 1 USD is approximately 7660 LAK. Accordingly, 1 EUR – 9821 LAK.
The time difference with Moscow is 3 hours. A little about the climate. The climate in Laos is subequatorial and monsoon. The average temperature in winter is 18 - 20 degrees, in summer 28 - 30 degrees. The best time to relax and explore the country is November – February. At this time, the least precipitation occurs.

If the duration of the trip does not exceed 15 days, a visa to Laos is not required. This is another one of the attractive points. Accommodation prices are quite affordable. For example, the Vientiane Garden Hotel ***, accommodation from 29 euros per night. Other hotel categories **** - from 59 euros per night. The choice is large and it all depends on the tastes and preferences of the tourist. Most hotels have Internet, television, and conference rooms.

Tourists will get acquainted with the cuisine of Laos, which is varied and tasty.

Souvenirs from Laos.

The topic of shopping will not be left aside. As with any country, you can bring a variety of souvenirs from Laos. The basis of this choice is handmade products. They are mainly associated with temple themes. These are images and statues of Buddha. It is possible to purchase figurines that are over 100 years old. Each of these figurines has a serial number. Then you need to buy them in temples or antique stores. When purchasing such products, you will receive a certificate confirming the age and value of the item. Accompanying documents are issued for this. If you have such a package of documents, there are no problems at customs.

You can’t ignore handmade items using the patchwork technique, which can be wonderful for friends and family. These products are especially popular with the female half. Unusual patterns, bright colors, unique execution - all this makes this kind of souvenirs unique and original. And what warmth of the soul is hidden in every such thing! Tablecloths, pillows, bedspreads, and scarves will be offered to tourists. Along with patchwork, hand embroidery is also popular. Such gifts will not leave anyone indifferent. I would also like to note products made from palm wood, leather, and fabric. And it's definitely worth buying the excellent coffee beans that are grown here in Laos.

All these things, amazing in their beauty and uniqueness, can be bought at the Hmong market, which is located in. The most surprising thing is that more choice appears at this market late at night. Trade also takes place during the day. But at night the choice is much richer.

Park 200 Buddhas.

Perhaps the most unusual attraction in Laos is the Park of 200 Buddhas. This is a unique and inimitable composition, which represents 200 sculptures of various Buddhas, among which there are snakes, gods and heroes of various Buddhist and Hindu mythologies. This park is relatively young. It was created by a very religious man. He recreated to the smallest detail the smallest details of the body, facial expressions, various small scales on the body of snakes. This is an unusual and unique job. But the master did not finish his creation. He's gone crazy. Getting to the park is not difficult. It is located 5 kilometers from Nong Khai town. In addition to unique sculptures, the park has beautiful ponds, unusual plants and a glass sarcophagus where the body of the creator of this extraordinary park rests.

It is impossible to describe all the beauties and advantages of this amazing piece of Earth. It is worth taking the time to visit and explore these and other attractions. The country of Laos is an interesting and instructive piece of Asia. Every visitor will find something valuable and educational for themselves. And it is very likely that after traveling to this radiant country you will want to return again and enjoy new sensations.