23 Most Beautiful Places In Laos You Simply Have To Visit

When I was telling my friends about my (then) future trip to Southeast Asia, everyone had questions about Bangkok, Phuket, the Angkor Wat, Vietnam’s coastline, and the Malaysian islands. However, no one asked a single thing about Laos. And most travelers that backpack around Southeast Asia often skip poor little Laos and head to its famous neighbors. Even for me, Laos was this small landlocked country surrounded by mystery. However, I’ve done my fair share of traveling around and learned that there are a lot of beautiful places in Laos.

After that, I decided to write this article to share the things I’ve learned about Laos with the world. Here are some of the things you must do when visiting Laos.

Laos Is Not A Less Developed Version Of Cambodia

Laos is not as nearly as famous as its neighbors and most people say that there’s not much to do in Laos. That couldn’t be further away from the truth. Laos is an amazing country with arguably the most hospitable people in Southeast Asia. I must say that before I visited this magnificent country I didn’t know a lot about Laos. It was a real mystery country for me. One of my friends described it as a less developed version of Cambodia but I soon saw just how wrong he was…

The Difference Between The North And The South

The main reason for this is that they used to be two different kingdoms battling for power throughout history. However, most travelers prefer the north, and some go even that far to say that there’s nothing to see in the south. Of course, I don’t agree with them. Yes, it’s a very peaceful place, and you can’t expect to find wild parties anywhere in the south but there’s a lot to see there.

The landscape is flatter so the roads are a bit better. And it’s not only about the 4,000 islands. Some other must-see places are the ancient city of Wat Phou, the lush forests of the Bolaven Plateau, and my personal favorite, Konglor Cave, arguably the most amazing cave in Southeast Asia.

Now that we covered some basics, let’s see which are some of the most beautiful places in Laos you should seriously consider visiting.

Visit The Unesco Sites Of Luang Prabang

We’re starting this list of most beautiful places in Laos with Luang Prabang. Nestled at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang is one of the oldest cities in Laos, the capital of one of Laos’ 3 ancient kingdoms, and one of the hottest hubs of traditional architecture in the country.

When visiting Luang Prabang, you can’t miss the wats (temples) like Wat Xieng Thong’s (dating back to 1560) intricate mosaics and sweeping roofs, Wat Visounnarath’s architecture, Wat May Souvannapoumaram, the town’s largest temple, and of course, the town’s night market.

Experience The Relaxed Atmosphere of Vientiane

Next on our list is Vientiane, the smallest capital in Southeast Asia but the largest city in Laos and the seat of another ancient Lao kingdom. Unlike its bustling neighbors like Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane is where you go to slow down and relax. Some of the city’s highlights include the vibrant Mekong Riverfront, the Night Market, the Golden Temple, the Patuxay Victory Monument, and many other temples, as well as colonial buildings that encapture the mixture of Lao traditional architecture and French influences.

Strolling along the Mekong Riverfront at sunset is a must. It’s like the town’s social media – everyone’s there, from joggers to families, all soaking in the pink-hued sky. And let’s not forget the Night Market that pops up here. It’s not your typical tourist trap; it’s more like a casual get-together with great street food and quirky finds.

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See Quirky Statues In Buddha Park

This list of the most beautiful places in Laos wouldn’t be complete without Buddha Park, locally known as Xieng Khuan, which translates to ‘Spirit City’. Located just outside Vientiane, this park is filled with giant Buddhist and Hindu sculptures that you might think are ancient but they were actually created specifically for the park in 1958 by a local monk turned mystic.

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Admire The French Architecture

Surprise surprise! Lao people can speak French. However, the language isn’t the only French thing you will find here. You’ll find crepes in the breakfast menu and you can see French-style colonial buildings everywhere. But the most surprising part was by far the omnipresence of baguettes. You can find them on the streets, you can find them in the bakeries. They’re everywhere. And so are French people. A large portion from the backpackers visiting Laos is French.

Explore Laos’ 4,000 Islands

Speaking of most beautiful places in Laos, we can’t forget about its islands (yes, Laos has islands!). I think Laos is one of the rare landlocked countries in the world to have so many islands. Located deep in the most southern part of Laos you can find a cluster of islets at the Mekong River, known as Si Phan Don, translating to 4,000 islands. And there are a lot of soft sandy beaches on the banks with the most famous islands being Don Khong, Don Det, and Don Khon.

Stay In A Treehouse (The Gibbon Experience)

Speaking of beautiful places in Laos, we can’t forget about the Gibbon Experience. Nestled in the canopy of the Bokeo Nature Reserve, The Gibbon Experience is a hotel hoisted high up in the trees, where your neighbors are gibbons (or at least that’s what they say, I actually didn’t manage to see any). You do neet to do a lot of walking to get there but the views from up there are worth it and the sense of peace you get to experience once you get there, even more.

Go Rock Climbing In Phu Hin Bun National Park

is one of 21 national biodiversity conservation areas in Laos, a beautiful mix of tropical savanna climate and cave-riddled karst terrain, and home to 113 species of mammals, 160 species of bird, and 81 species of reptiles among others. It’s home to the Laotian Sao La (a species of bovine that is endangered), the Indochinese Tiger, the Giant Muntjac, the Asian Elephant, the Clouded Leopard, and the Lao Langur.

Try To Find The Kuang Si Waterfall

Located an hour away from Luang Prabang, Kuang Si is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Southeast Asia. There are multiple pools scattered throughout the area with the main fall having a drop of 60 meters.

Uncover The Beauty Of Vang Vieng And The Blue Lagoon

If you did your research you might know about the river tubing craze in Vang Vieng. However, alcohol and tubing don’t really sound like a good idea. Long story short, a few people tragically died at Vang Vieng and after this, the local authorities made some restrictions to bring tranquility back to Vang Vieng. River tubing is still available but there are a lot of other activities you can do here, like kayaking, mountain biking, exploring caves, and rock climbing. During my last visit in September, I only saw a couple of bars that were open. Some people brought their own booze but nothing crazy. Vang Vieng is slowly becoming an eco-touristic place, rather than its past as a party hub.

Take A Hot Air Balloon Ride

Vang Vieng is also arguably the cheapest place for hopping on a hot air balloon in the whole world. In addition to the myriad of cheap accommodation facilities, you can also get a hot air balloon ride for as low as $78. If you want to thick this (oftentimes pricey) experience off your bucket list, Vang Vieng is one of the best places to do it. Not only is it much cheaper but the views of the Laos countryside are sure to sweep you off your feet.

Take A Trip To One Of Laos’ Most Remote Villages

Nestled in the northern Laos highlands, the remote village of Muang Ngoi Neua is one of the most beautiful places in Laos, it’s one of those villages that truly deserves to be described as blissfully stuck in time. To get there, you’ll take a boat ride along the Nam Ou River, to discover a place where roads are merely a concept, and the main street is a dirt path lined with small guesthouses and cafes. Electricity is a recent luxury here, and internet access? Let’s just say you’ll have plenty of time for offline activities.

Chase Waterfalls In Champasak Province

Champasak Province is a part of Laos famous for its many waterfalls and chasing waterfalls here is like participating in nature’s own version of a scavenger hunt, where cascades compete with each other to be more breathtaking than the previous one. The most famous cascade is Tad Fane Waterfall, consisting of two streams of water plunging over 100 meters into a gorge, Tad Yuang, a little bit less dramatic but just as beautiful, with pools at the bottom perfect for a refreshing dip, and Tad Pha Suam- a wide, horseshoe-shaped waterfall that’s more about breadth than height (just to name a few).

Go On An Adventure On The Thakhek Loop

Located in the central part of the country, the Thakhek Loop is one of the most exciting journeys you can take in Laos. Most people take a bike but you can also rent a car or go on a tour with a bus. The loop can take anywhere from 3 to 5 days, depending on how often you stop to gawk at the scenery (spoiler: it’ll be often). You’ll start and end in Thakhek, a charming off-the-beat town and from there, follow the loop as it weaves its way through landscapes that range from jaw-dropping karst mountains to tranquil villages.

One of the stars of the show is Kong Lor Cave that can be accessed only by boat via an underground river that winds through a 7-kilometers long limestone tunnel. The loop also threads through local villages, offering a peek into rural Lao life and a chance to see Laos in its most authentic form.

Discover Nam Ha National Park

Nestled in the country’s northwest, Nam Ha National Park is home to clouded leopards, barking deer, and a myriad of rare bird species. The trees tower overhead like natural skyscrapers, and the air smells like it’s been freshly manufactured by plants (because, well, it has). And let’s not forget the cultural aspect. The park is a stone’s throw from several ethnic villages, offering a peek into lifestyles that haven’t changed much in centuries…

Unravel The History Of Houaphan Province

Houaphan is rugged, mountainous village, completely surrounded by dense forests, you know scenic, but also the perfect place if you’re looking for an isolated military stronghold. During the Secret War, Houaphan was just that- the most powerful stronghold of the Pathet Lao (the communist forces). Some of the must-visit historical sites here are the Viengxay Caves which were home to the headquarters of the Pathet Lao during the war and the Hintang Archaeological Park dotted with dozens of enigmatic menhirs (standing stones).

See Centuries Old Tea Trees In Phongsaly Province

Located in the far north of Laos, bordering China and Vietnam, Phongsaly is a beautiful remote village famous for its untouched surrounding nature and tea trees are over 400 years old, making them contemporary with some pretty significant moments in history.

Explore The Rural Towns Of Attapeu Province

Comfortably situated near the border with VIetnam and Cambodia and often (if not always) forgotten by tourists Attapeu Province is one of my favorite places to explore in Laos. The list includes the provincial capital, Attapeu, home to the gorgeous Sae Pong Lai Waterfall, beautiful temples, and a few vibrant tribal cultures; then there’s Sanxay, a remote town that’s home to several ancient ruins and the famous Phou Asa Temple, and my personal favorite- Xaysetha, a small district that serves as a gateway for travelers looking to explore the natural beauty of Attapeu.

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Visit The Plain of Jars, Xieng Kuang Province

Speaking of the most beautiful places in Laos, we can’t forget to mention the Plain of Jars in Xieng Kiang, a collection of massive stone jars, up to three meters tall. The jars themselves are a bit of an enigma; some say they were used to store water (or even rice wine), others claim that they were part of ancient burial rituals but no matter what they were, they are fascinating and a reason enough to get off the beaten track and explore this place. The Plain of Jars in Xieng Kiang consists of several jar sites, and is home to over 300 of these jars.

Befriend Elephants In The Sanctuaries Of Sainyabuli Province

It took me a couple of trips before I discovered this but Sainyabuli is pretty much the elephant capital of Laos, and the absolute go-to place if you want to get up close with these magnificent creatures in a way that’s respectful, kind, and know that the elephants there are not being abused for quick profit. These centers are crucial, offering refuge and rehabilitation for elephants who’ve had a rough trot in life.

See The Bolevan Plateau Coffee Flieds, Salavan Province

Next on our list of the most beautiful places in Laos we have the Bolevan Plateau coffee fields where the air is as rich with the aroma of coffee as it is with tales of the land. The Bolaven Plateau is famed for its Arabica and Robusta beans, nurtured by the cool, misty climate and volcanic soil. This place is the perfect destination for travelers who want to learn about local life through the stories of local farmers. In addition to this, the area is a natural gem with cascading waterfalls and lush landscapes.

Experience The Lao New Year

And it’s locally known as Pi Mai or Songkran. It’s celebrated for three days every year from the 13^th of April till the 16^th of April. In Luang Prabang, the celebrations last for a week. April is one of the hottest months in Laos and the temperature gets up to 40 degrees Celsius but experiencing these celebrations is certainly worthwhile.

Go On A River Cruise

The Mekong River has been both, a giver and taker of life in Laos throughout history and that’s not far from the truth today as well. For instance, when you visit Vientiane, the capital, you won’t find shopping malls or fancy neighborhoods. Instead, you will see that the most happening place in the city is the riverside. I’ve never seen anything like that before. I’ve never seen a modern city that’s still so dependent on a river. While we’re at it, floating at the Mekong is an amazing experience, especially early in the morning when there’s nothing but mist and a couple of boats floating in absolute silence.

Take A Food Tour

I know this is a list of the most beautiful places in Laos but we can’t conclude this article without a few words about Laotian food. A lot of people know about Thai food, Vietnamese pho dishes, and even Cambodian amok curries. But Lao food is a real mystery. Let me break it to you: Lao food is just as tasty as any of the other three. The most famous dish is marinated meat, called larb which can be served either raw or cooked.

Some other famous dishes are the sticky rice and Lao sausage (also delicious). They use a lot of herbs in their cuisine and their food is mostly either sour or spicy. Lao people love their beer too. You can get the national Beer Lao pretty much anywhere for $1.20.

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Helpful Tips For Finding Beautiful Places In Laos

PDR Laos stands for Please Don’t Rush Laos. It’s a joke of course. But Lao people don’t like to rush and neither do their public transport vehicles. Buses are normally never on time and neither are the people when you need to meet someone. I got the impression that Laos is a very chilled out country where no one is ever in a hurry and this laid-back attitude is refreshing. Get ready for some lazy afternoons! Also if you have motion sickness, keep in mind that the roads are also in a very bad condition. A journey from Vientiane to Luang Prabang (around 300 km) takes at least 8 hours!

Women are not allowed to touch monks. This is a part of Lao culture. Monks are respected figures in the Lao society because of their deep spirituality and touching them if you’re a woman is considered disrespectful. This isn’t something I necessarily agree with but it’s the way it is. When you’re greeting put your hands together and bow instead of shaking hands.

Be careful with cannabis. Cannabis is tolerated to a certain extent in Laos but it’s not legal. Be careful especially in touristy places like Vang Vieng. There’s this common scam where you buy some cannabis from a local peddler and you’re intercepted by the police at the next corner. Chances are, they are working together and you will either end up in jail or will have to pay around $600 USD for bail. Read about some other common scams in Southeast Asia here.

For the cheapest flights to Laos, Qatar Airways is always a safe option. To save even more, use this Qatar Airways special offer and save up to 25% on your flights to Laos.

For travel insurance for your trip to Laos, I always recommend SafetyWing.

To save on all bus, train or ferry rides in Laos, use 12goasia and save up to 15% (for more info check out our 12go Asia review here).

Alternatively, if you want to rent a car in Laos, this offer gets you up to 30% off on all car rentals.

To save on accommodation, use this Booking.com offer to save up to 20% on all bookings in Laos.

And last but not least, don’t forget to sort out your visa. If you want to get your Laos visa easy and hassle-free without a trip to the embassy, check out Ivisa. I always use their services when I need to obtain a visa before traveling and their service is amazing.

So, there you have it; these were the most important things I wish I knew before visiting Laos.