Farthest north in Laos is Phongsaly, which shares borders
with Yunnan (China) and Dien Bien (Vietnam). Most of Phongsaly Province lies at
a high altitude. Its capital, Phongsaly town, is the highest city in Laos PDR
at 1,400 meters above sea level. Up there the climate is pleasant and
refreshing covering the endless mountains down to the canyon of the Nam Ou
River, biggest tributary of the Mekong. The population is made up of officially
28 different ethnic groups, of which the majority being Khmu, Phounoy,
different Akha, Tai Lue and Hor, each with their own culture, traditions,
costumes, and languages. The forests contain an abundance of animal, bird,
insect and plant life, and there are certainly many undiscovered species, new
to science. Several trekking tours have been established by the Provincial
Tourism Office Phongsaly. Most visitors of Phongsaly Province get a feeling of
“no longer being in Laos, not yet having reached China”. History tells
fascinating stories, though much of it still lies in darkness. Between China
and Laos the territory of north-western Phongsaly and southern Yunnan once was
the independent Tai Lue kingdom of Sipsongpanna. In 1895 the French
colonialists drew new boundaries along the watersheds of the Nam Ou river,
claiming Sipsongpanna’s eastern part to Phongsaly incorporating it into French
Indochina. Its bigger part went into Yunnan Province, China.
LUANG NAMTHA
Tucked in the northwestern corner of Lao PDR, Luang Namtha
covers an area of 9,325 square kilometers with more than 85% of its terrain
being low calciferous mountains that rise to between 800 – 2,000 meters above
sea level. The highest point (2,094 masl) is found in Vieng Phoukha District
and several peaks that approach 2,000 meters can be found among the province’s
central mountains that separate Namtha and Muang Sing. Like the rest of the country, Luang Namtha’s
weather pattern is characterized by a rainy season lasting from May to October
followed by a cool dry period from November to February. March and April are
the hottest months. On average, daily temperature is a pleasant 25 degrees
Celsius but during the cool season it can dip to zero on the coldest nights.
OUDOMXAY
Bokeo, meaning ‘gem mine’ is the smallest province in Laos,
but one of the most ethnically diverse with over 30 recognized ethnic groups.
The Lahu, a Tibeto-Burman speaking people common in northern Myanmar and
Thailand are present in Bokeo in significant proportions. The province is located in the heart of the
infamous “Golden Triangle” sharing borders with Luang Namtha as well as Myanmar
and Thailand. Houai Xay, just across the
border from the Thai city of Chiang Khong is a popular starting point for boat
trips down the Mekong to Luang Prabang, a two-day journey south. For the
energetic visitor or for those heading up to Luang Namtha, stop in Vieng
Phoukha to organize a one, two or three day guided trek to local Khamu, Lahu
and Tai Lu villages. In the Nam Kan Provincial Protected Area one of the few
remaining populations of Black-cheeked Crested Gibbons can be found, singing
their eerie and beautiful early morning songs during the cold season from
November-February. If you are interested
in archaeology visit the ancient city of Souvannakhomkham near Ton Pheung
District just north of Houai Xay.
BOKEO
Bokeo, meaning ‘gem mine’ is the smallest province in Laos,
but one of the most ethnically diverse with over 30 recognized ethnic groups.
The Lahu, a Tibeto-Burman speaking people common in northern Myanmar and
Thailand are present in Bokeo in significant proportions. The province is located in the heart of the
infamous “Golden Triangle” sharing borders with Luang Namtha as well as Myanmar
and Thailand. Houai Xay, just across the
border from the Thai city of Chiang Khong is a popular starting point for boat
trips down the Mekong to Luang Prabang, a two-day journey south. For the
energetic visitor or for those heading up to Luang Namtha, stop in Vieng
Phoukha to organize a one, two or three day guided trek to local Khamu, Lahu
and Tai Lu villages. In the Nam Kan Provincial Protected Area one of the few
remaining populations of Black-cheeked Crested Gibbons can be found, singing
their eerie and beautiful early morning songs during the cold season from
November-February. If you are interested
in archaeology visit the ancient city of Souvannakhomkham near Ton Pheung
District just north of Houai Xay.
HOUAPHANH
Houaphanh Province is the birthplace of the Lao People's
Democratic Republic. As yet, it is one of the least visited provinces in the
country and offers an authentic and varied experience for visitors. Enjoy a
pristine natural environment of mountains, rivers, waterfalls and forests,
visit the caves at Vieng Xay for a unique insight into the history of the
country, and discover the mysterious standing stones of Hintang Archaeological
Park which date back more than 2000 year. Houaphanh has many unique and beautiful
natural attractions. The provincial capital, Xam Neua, is a quiet and rustic
city on the Xam River. Here you will enjoy markets trading produce from China
and Vietnam and a variety of handicrafts produce by the Hmong, Tai Dam, Tai
Daeng and Tai Lue ethnic groups. Also of interest in Xam Neua is Wat
Phoxainaram, home to an impressive bronze Buddha possibly dating back to 1565
and an interesting serries of murals depicting the life of Buddha and scenes
from Lao History. Vieng Xay, located northeast of the capital, boasts over 100
limestone caves, 10 of which have immense national and historical significance
as the hidden headquarters of the Neo Lao Hak Sad from 1961-1975. In the
southeast of Houaphanh is the Nam Xam National Protected Area (NPA), which is
thought to provide habitat for wild elephants, various gibbons, gaur, banteng,
tiger, clouded leopard, Asiatic black bear and Malayan sun bear. South of Xam
Neua located Tat Saloei, a beautiful waterfall best viewed after the rainy
season. Nam Et-Phou Loei is the largest NPA in Laos situated in the northwest
of Houaphanh. It is best known for harboring one of the most important tiger
populations remaining in Indochina. Its outstanding biodiversity includes over
30 species of large mammals and 300 species of birds.
XIENGKHOUANG
Xieng Khouang is home to the Plain of Jars, the prehistoric
stone megaliths which attract thousands of tourists to the province each year.
The Lao government is currently finalising an application for the World
Heritage Committee to consider listing the Plain of Jars as a World Heritage
Monument. The area is of significant archaeological importance on account also
of the standing stones in nearby Houaphanh Province.Until briefly after World
War II, the French used Xieng Khouang Town, present-day Muang Khoun town, as
their provincial capital. A few ruinous colonial public buildings remain to
this day, such as the governor’s residence, church and French school.
LUANG PRABANG
Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is
classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural,
historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the
natural and built environment. In the 14th century, the King Fa Ngum founded
the first Lao Kingdom, Lane Xang, here in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang remained
the capital of Lane Xang until 1565 when the capital was moved to Vientiane. It
remained to serve as the country’s spiritual and religious centre. Visitors to
Luang Prabang are charmed by the friendly atmosphere of this small town. The town
itself offers several unique insights into the history of the region, through
excellently preserved Buddhist temples, museum and a variety of Lao, Tai-Lue,
Burmese, Chinese and Taui architecture Night Market. In Luang Prabang sell a
large variety of traditional goods. The town is famous for its unique textiles
and beautiful mulberry paper. Some of the most visited sites in Luang Prabang
Town are Wat Xieng Thong, Mount Phou Si, Wat Visounnarath, the former Royal
Palace and Wat Manolom. Equally beautiful are the lesser known temples across
the Mekong River in Chomphet District. You can take a 1,5 hour walk through the
hills and forest opposite the main town to explore the old temple sites and
peaceful environment. Just outside of the main town are the beautiful Tad Kwang
Si Waterfall, Tham Ting Caves, Ban Xang Hai Village and the tiered waterfall
Tad Sae. Further out is muang Ngoi Kao, a quiet village located on the banks of
the Nam Ou River surrounded by high karst mountains and sheer limestone cliffs.
You can visit these sites on your own or use the services of one of the many
tour operators based in town. While in Luang Prabang, you may observe the
morning alms giving ceremony where monks walk through town in single file
carrying their alms bowls to give laypeople the opportunity to offer alms and
gain merit. Offerings by the people are usually comprised of sticky rice, fruit
or simple traditional snacks. Know as “Binthabat” in Lao, this is a sacred
religious ceremony. Tourists may participate in and photograph the ceremony,
however, the people of Luang Prabang, especially the monks, ask that this is
done is a respectful way and visitors do everything they can not to disrupt
this ancient tradition.
SAYABOURY
Sayabouly Province is situated in the northwest of Laos,
sharing borders with Vientiane Province and Luang Prabang Province in the east,
and Thailand in the west. This mountainous province has several peaks with
altitudes of more than 1,000 meters. Travelling to this rugged landscape will
reveal many beautiful mountains and flower gardens. The local people earn their
living via agricultural products such as growing rice, cucumbers, cotton,
cabbage, beans and sugarcane. Elephants continue to be used for loading and
transporting heavy items. The province is also an important agricultural
producer of rice, cotton, peanuts, sesame, maize and oranges. The Malabri, one
of the last remaining hunter-gatherer groups in Southeast Asia inhabit the
forests in the province’s western region. Other ethnic groups located in the
province include the Khmu, Tai Dam, Tai Lue, Htin, Phai, Kri, and Akha. In
Muang Ngeun District are ethnic Tai Lue villages, which still build traditional
houses constructed with characteristic high-sloping roofs. Muang Ngeun’s old
Tai Lue style temples include Wat Ban Khon with its unique natural fiber murals
and decorations, and Wat Si Boun Yeun with its charming view of the town. Sayabouly
has the largest number of elephants in Laos, which are commonly used to carry
heavy items to and from fields and forest.
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