10 Reasons to Visit Laos
Laos is another secret in the south eastern part of Asia featuring several cultural festivals, untainted natural beauty, ancient history and more. When it comes to visiting Asia, most travelers tend to under look it as a minor option. But listed below are the main reasons why you should include it on your bucket list in Asia.
See the Mighty Mekong
One of the largest waterways in Asia, Mekong plays big part in Laos culture. From Chiang Rai to 4000 islands, Laos enjoys the most beautiful and untouched part of Mekong River. Many visitors choose a cruise to appreciate the pristine landscape in northern Laos while the other love to spend time to adventure the south by bike along its bank to see amazing falls.These are some stunning experiences you should not miss :
- Cruising Luang Prabang to Kamu Lodge
- River Journey upstream for 7 nights from Viantien to the far north
Waterfall Hoping
Since most of the Laos area is covered by tropical forest, it is unsprise that you will have chance to encounter different waterfalls during your trip in Laos. While the most famous one - Kuang Sii is touristic, others are so pristine and many of them offers natural pools.If you are about to see Laos striking nature, make sure combining a waterfall visit with jungle trek - it is totally worthy
Some beautiful waterfalls you should include in your itinerary :
- Nam Tok Katamtok in Champasak
- Laos Best Waterfalls
Photographer : Ahmad Syukaery
That Luang Festival
One of the most colorful festivals in Vientiane, That Lung exhibits illumination, dance, Buddhist rites. It’s an annual event often celebrated at the end of November in a place known as “That Luang”. This huge golden temple is not only known for this annual festival but also acts as the national symbol for Laos as a country.Religious part of the festival includes a pilgrimage to the stupa made by the monks and lay Buddhists from different parts of the country. The celebrations usually include trade shows, fireworks, parades and exciting parties.
Mouth Washing Lao Cuisine
For many people, Laos's cuisine is not outstanding. This is partly because its neighbor- Thailand has strong marketing activities on its food. However, Laos foods have their own voice and personality. It is a blend of different elements : fresh, spicy, aromatic and vegetable5 Laos dishes you must try :
- Khao Niaw ( Traditional Sticky Rice )
- Larb ( Minced meat salad )
- Naem Khao Tod ( Crispy Rice Salad )
- Tam Mak Hoong ( Papaya salad )
- Ping Pa ( Grilled Salted Fish )
Khum New Year Festival
Be part of the Khum New Year celebrations which takes place in the Northern part of Laos in Oudomxay province. It often starts from 30th December to 1st January. The main theme to the celebrations is to give thanks to ancestors and playing for further peace in the New Year. Locals and visitors usually celebrate with brilliant traditional dresses, singing, dancing and ethnic games. Book for a trek and experience the local life in the province.City Pillar Festival
Be immersed into Laos’ culture with a day spent in this festival, it’s recorded with over 150 recognized ethnicities. Therefore, the festival is meant to celebrate the uniqueness of each group. Usually ten ethic groups in Xekong province host the festival in Mayhuameuang village for a period of three days starting from 1st January up to 3rd. The festival usually include traditional performances like singing, dancing and banana leaf stupa parade.It’s Temples
Laos is one of the top Buddhist nations in Asia featuring several awe inspiring temples particularly if you are in love with art. If you are after the ornate temples, Luang Prabang the former royal capital is the best spot to go. Check out for Vientiane if you are more interested in Historic temples like Wat Si Saket, That Luang and more. Several visitors usually appear in the middle of the third lunar month because of the ancient Khmer temple defined uniquely by its traditional dances, music and sporting events.Exciting Tubing
One of the most famous tubing hot spots in Laos is Nam Song in Vang Vieng. Tractor tire inner tubes are often available for rent and lazily float down the river as you get exposed to the beautiful limestone mountains and lush green vegetation. After this activity relax just at the riverside bars for some beers, dancing, volley ball and interact with fellow tubers. Superb caves Laos features some of the most impressive caves in Asia. These caves are true delights to visitors of different interests. Whereby some act as tourist attractions visited on daily basis with restaurants and bamboo bungalows to eat and rest. Some are filled with water and others serve as pilgrimage locations filled with Buddhist statues.Kapok Flower Festival
It’s also known as Dok Ngiew, this is another annual event to attend while Laos. The usual place for this festival is Don Sao Island, Ton peung district in Bokeo province. Thousands of people attend this festival which takes place in February or March when the Kapok trees boom. It features several exhibitions including market fairs, beauty pageants, sporting events and dancing competitions.Flora and fauna
Although Laos’ Wilderness is hindered by some unfavorable factors like poaching, mining and damming of rivers. Some untainted areas still exist providing good habitat to diverse range of species including Elephants, tigers, birds and more. Bokeo in the northern mountains is home to gibbons and Mekong River is known for the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. Because of this Laos receives a huge percentage of Wildlife lovers from different parts of the World.Myanmar Travel Guide
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