Laos Tourist Guide
The New York Times named Laos the new hot spot of Indochina,
with the capital city Vientiane and ancient temple sites drawing
adventurous culture seekers. It's a landlocked country and the
Mekong River is its main waterway, which you can explore by
cruising or living aboard a luxury houseboat. The pace of life is
slow even compared with neighboring Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam,
and you can be certain of a warm welcome from relaxed and friendly
locals.
Much of Laos is forest-covered mountains with the Mekong River
Valley the other main geographical feature. The capital city,
Vientiane, is proudly described as Asia's biggest village, where
French colonial architecture stands next to gilded temples, and
there are few modern buildings of any sort. On a Mekong river
cruise you will see dramatic mountain scenery, jungle, farmland and
some sandy beaches. The route takes in the town of Pakbeng and the
ancient royal capital, Luang Prabang, onwards to the town of Houei
Say on the Laos/Thailand border. Cruising from Pakse towards the
Laos/Cambodia border takes you through a historically important
area including the Vat Phou ruins at Champassak, the Oum Muong
ruins at Huei Thamo, the network of waterways around the 4,000
Islands and the dramatic Pha Pheng waterfall.
Search for
cruises in Laos >>