5 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Laos

The Southeast Asian country of Laos is a hidden gem among its more popular neighbors of China, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Its rich cultural diversity comes from the 49 ethnic groups that influence the food, arts, customs, and festivals in the country.

1. Kuang Si Waterfalls

The vibrant blue waters that flow down the falls travel down through a series of pools before rejoining the flow of the jungle river. After ages of flowing over the rocks, the falls have etched deep lines into the stone creating a beautiful travertine pattern. The pools are smaller near the top of the falls, but tend to widen out nearer to the bottom eventually becoming big enough to swim in should the tropical heat inspire someone to jump in as it often does. The locals (who charge a small fee to visitors to the falls) have built out a wooden platform that visitors can take in the rushing waters from, or even dive off of in some places.

2. Vientiane

Vientiane’s diversity is a byproduct of its chequered past: razed by the Thai army in the 1820s, it was gradually rebuilt by French colonists in the early 20th century. Their mansions were left to crumble during the civil war of the 1970s, and nowadays its wide boulevards and quiet parks offer a haven to frazzled backpackers looking to catch a breath after the hustle of Vietnam or the bustle of Thailand

3. Elephant Village Sanctuary

Beautifully located in a river valley, the Elephant Sanctuary provides visitors with a unforgettable experience. Known for its humane practices, the sanctuary allows visitors to touch, feed, and even ride elephants. The elephants are rode without saddles and only once per day to protect their spines. If anyone is looking to play with elephants, this Sanctuary is a must!

4. Kong Lor Caves

Konglor is located in the Phou Hin Phoun NPA, 180 km by road from Tha Khaek. By car, it can be visited as a long day trip from Tha Khaek, but the region’s jaw-dropping landscape of rural flat lands combined with a “forest” of karst makes a strong case for staying longer. There are good guesthouses in Konglor and 40 km to the north in Na Hin, as well as village homestays

5. Wat Phu

Wat Phou or Vat Phu, which translates to “mountain temple” was built during the late 10^th to early 11^th century, which makes it older than Angkor’s best known monument, the Angkor Wat, which was built during the first half of the 12^th century. Over the following centuries structures were added to the temple until the 14^th century when the Angkor empire went into decline.

The Wat Phou was a temple dedicated to Shiva, one of the Gods of the Hindu Trimurti. In the 13^th century it was converted into a Buddhist monastery. Even today the temple is still a place of worship for local Buddhists.