Things to do in Laos

Beautiful waterfall. I was lucky enough to go during the off-season and it wasn't too crowded, but I don't know how interesting it would be to see it full of people. It's a beautiful place; they're expanding it artificially. I don't know how much something artificial can improve things, but it's a lovely place to walk, take a swim, and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

No need to pay to visit this monument. However there is a fee if you want to climb up to see the aerial view of the vacinity. There is also a fountain right behind the monument. I am not sure what time it is turned on but when I arrived there was music playing and the fountain was on. Shame that by the time I took photos, the fountain turned off.

Xiangkun Temple in Vientiane (Ten Thousand Buddhas Park), a must-visit attraction in Laos. The "Internet celebrity" nine-story pagoda, the six reincarnations, the longest reclining Buddha, the monkey mouth heaven and hell tower, the standing statue of Shiva (holding a child who was killed by mistake), etc., many of which are introduced from some Buddhist stories and legends in Hinduism, and made into statues, which are extremely rare in most Buddhist places. There is a mysterious legend behind each Buddha statue. Although they are all made of reinforced concrete, they are also delicate and beautiful, especially some facial expressions and body movements, which are closely related to the plot.

The Laos Royal Palace, also known as the Haw Kham or Golden Hall, is a cultural gem nestled in Luang Prabang, Laos. Constructed in 1904 during the French colonial era as a royal residence, it reflects a blend of traditional Lao motifs and French Beaux-Arts architecture. The palace served as the residence of the Laotian royal family until the monarchy's dissolution in 1975. Today, it stands as a museum showcasing regal artifacts, including the revered Phra Bang Buddha statue.Adjacent to the Royal Palace, the National Museum further enriches Luang Prabang's cultural tapestry. Originally the Royal Palace's annex, it houses a diverse collection of religious art, royal possessions, and historical artifacts, offering visitors a captivating journey through Laos' rich heritage. These sites collectively symbolize Luang Prabang's UNESCO World Heritage status, inviting exploration into the kingdom's storied past and artistic traditions.

I feel that it can't be compared with the famous mountains and rivers in China. The mountain is only more than 100 meters high. There is no cable car. You can walk up the stairs to the top of the mountain. There is a temple on the top of the mountain. There are more people watching the sunset in the evening. The sun reflects the whole sky red. The sunset is infinitely beautiful...

it’s extremely fun activity but also has to be very careful as the current flow of the river rainy season is high.

A beautiful scenery on my early biking tour to the three blue lagoons, cave Phu kham, Blue Spring and Patong cave! Cycling here is extremely difficult because it was foggy, dry and no wind! I’m glad I still managed to do it and 11 miles is not bad! 😍

Laos, known as the "Land of a Thousand Buddhas," boasts numerous temples. Wat Xieng Thong, the most famous royal temple in Luang Prabang, is located at the northern tip of the peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet. Built in 1560 by King Setthathirath, it served as the exclusive temple for the coronation of Lao kings and the holding of important ceremonies. The temple is renowned for its classic Luang Prabang temple architecture. The main hall features a Dharma wheel roof, a large Tree of Life motif inlaid on the rear wall, and black walls adorned with gold accents. The roof ridge is decorated with a row of small golden pagodas inscribed "Dok So Fa." "Xieng Thong" means "Golden City" in Lao legend. Historically, Wat Xieng Thong held a status equivalent to a "Royal Ancestral Temple" in Lao history. From its construction until the abolition of the monarchy in 1975, it remained the private property of the royal family and was not open to the public. It was not only a center of Buddhist activities but also an outstanding representative of Lao architecture and art, encapsulating the ancient temple architectural style of Luang Prabang. It was damaged during the invasion of the Black Flag Army in 1887. However, it survived because the Black Flag Army's ally, Diao Wenchi, had once been a monk here and used it as his headquarters. Restoration was completed in 1928 under the auspices of King Sisavang Vong. ⚠️Tips: Key Highlights ① Tree of Life Mosaic Mural: The rear wall of the main hall is inlaid with a large "Tree of Life" pattern made of stained glass and gemstones, depicting a Buddhist paradise, birds and beasts, and humans, alluding to the story of the Buddha's passing. It reflects a dazzling light under the setting sun. ② Funeral Hall: Inside is a 12-meter-high hearse decorated with golden dragon heads and a royal urn containing ashes. The exterior panels are carved with scenes from the epic Ramayana. ③ Reclining Buddha Hall: Enshrines a classic Lao-style reclining Buddha statue, entirely black, with its arms bent and head resting on its head. Its style is characterized by a long robe and the posture of supporting its head. ④ Main Hall Building: The roof has a smooth, curved, multi-tiered design that almost reaches the ground. The ridge at the top of the eaves is decorated with a row of characters reading "Dok So". The small golden pagoda bearing the inscription "Fa" features a black background with gold decorations on the main temple's facade and beams.

A must visit landmark in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. It is a gold covered Buddhist stupa that is synonymous with the national symbol of Laos. The main structure can be found printed on the 1000kip currency!

It's a pretty good shooting range, a bit pricey, but I'd still recommend coming at least once – great value for money! Pistols are cheap, rifles and sniper rifles are more expensive; if you want to shoot them all, I suggest choosing a package! I've shot rifles in Thailand before, where the bullet caliber was reduced, so there was no recoil. Here, the rifles aren't modified to use smaller caliber bullets, so it's a really enjoyable shooting experience! The instructor speaks basic Chinese, is very nice, explains how to operate the gun, and even lets you take pictures with the gun after you're done!