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 Lao People's
Democratic Republic is the only landlocked
Southeast Asia country as well as the least
visited nations in the world but it has emerged
as a very popular and famous travel destination in Asia. More commonly
known as Laos, this country stills retains a
remarkable serenity and timeless charm due to
the fact that it is being isolated for many
years. After a ruinous sequence of colonial
domination and internecine conflict, this
sparsely populated country is now admitting
foreign visitors and offers tourists an
unparalleled glimpse of traditional Southeast
Asia Wat Xieng Khouang (Buddha Park) life as well as ancient temples, mighty
rivers and remote forests.
The country is
mountainous, making travel slightly more
difficult with limited internal flight but
allows visitors an adventurous travel along the
Mekong River. Sitting on the banks of the
Mekong, lies the capital city of Vientiane which
is small, charming and picturesque. French
colonial architecture sits next to gilded
temples.
 Vientiane contains
some colorful and sacred pagodas, fascinating
museums, wide boulevards and attractions like
That Luang (Royal Stupa) and Patuxai (Victory
Monument) which resembles the Paris' Arc de
Triomphe. This popular tourist city is visited
by thousands of visitors every year whereby
accommodation facilities are plenty and cheap. The border crossing into Thailand and
the Friendship Bridge are at Thanaleng. Wat
Xieng Khouang (Buddha Park) here has a
fascinating collection of concrete religious
icons that combine Buddhist and Hindu
Philosophies. Nam Ngum Lake in the north of the
city is a peaceful retreat with restaurants and
chalets.
That Luang Stupa in Vientiane
The former capital
Luang Prabang is one of the most serene town in
Southeast Asia. As the heart and spirit of Laos
culture, the city preserves a remarkable number
of glided Buddhist monasteries, temples and
pagodas where monks in saffron-colored robes
continue to live and worship. Much of the town
and its pagodas are protected as a United
Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) World Heritage Site. There are about 32
historic pagodas here within walking distance of
each other. Trips on the Mekong River are
popular especially to the Pak Ou Caves that
houses hundreds of Buddha images. The Dala
market sells many local products especially
those of nearby hill tribe people. The Royal
Palace Museum contains many Lao treasures.
 The Plain
of Jars
near the small town of Phonsavan located in the
Xieng Khouang Province has intrigued
archaeologists for centuries. Tourists visiting
Laos must not miss the photography opportunity
with these unique tourist attraction which has
puzzled many observers and scientists. The purpose of the
huge 2,000-year old stone jars is open to
speculation and rumors. Local legend says that they were
made to ferment lao-lao rice wine after a
victory against a wicked chieftain, Chao Angka
in the 6th century. Photo: The Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang
In the south of the
country, Pakse located on the junction of the
Mekong and Xe Don Rivers in Champassack
Province, is a point of departure for the
Bolaven Plateau in the Salavan Province. The
Bolaven Plateau also extends into Attapeu,
Champassack and Sekong Provinces. The plateau is
a fertile farmland and houses many ethnic
minorities. The area is also famous for its
tasty coffee. Wat Phou, an ancient stone palace
and a architectural marvel located at about 45
km from the Pakse, is the crown jewel of
Champassack Province. When the water level falls
back in the dry season, thousands of small
islands rise from the river, giving the area the
name Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands).
Southeast Asia's biggest and most beautiful
waterfall, Khone Pha Pheng is located in the
south of Laos, at about 130 km from Pakse.
There are 68
official ethnic groups in Laos and they offer
tourists insight into many ancient tradition and
arts. The Lao people are skilled carvers and
many pagodas displays this art. Cotton and silk
weavings is highly developed, distinct and
prized. Many festivals correspond to the
Buddhist calendar.
From the fertile
lowlands of the Mekong River to the rugged
Annamite highlands, enchanting scenery, diverse
flora and fauna and magnificent temples,
visitors will definitely have a memorable travel
experience in Laos.
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