Laos Guide
South central Laos
Many travellers see very little of south central Laos, spending just a night or two in the principal towns of Thakhek or Savannakhet before pressing on to the far south or crossing the border into Vietnam. However, those willing to take time out from the more popular north and south of the country will find that there is much more to the region than the main Mekong towns, not least the otherworldly beauty of the Mahaxai stone formations at the edge of the Khammouane Limestone NBCA near Thakhek, and the largest of all Laos's conservation areas, the massive Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA to the northeast.
Highlights
1 Mahaxai Caves Excellent hiking, cycling and cave-exploring near Thakhek.
2 Tham Lot Kong Lo Cave This seven-kilometre stretch of underground river is one of Asia's most unusual kayaking sites.
3 Savannakhet The French-Indochinese shophouses and easy-going ways of this colonial gem have won it a reputation as the south's Louang Phabang.
4 That Ing Hang This revered sixteenth-century Buddhist stupa next to the Mekong provides a great excuse for a bicycle ride out of Savannakhet.
5 Ho Chi Minh Trail Numerous relics – rusting tanks, downed helicopters and the like – of the famous clandestine highway can still be visited.