Laos Guide
Things not to miss
1 A slow boat down the Mekong • The lifeline of a landlocked nation, the Mekong figures in every visit to Laos, supplying the fish for dinner, a stunning array of sunsets and a route to travel along.
2 Wat Xiang Thong • Spared wars, fires and overzealous restorations, the jewel of temple-rich Louang Phabang is as elegant as it is historic.
3 Kouang Si Falls • A dip in the cool blue pools below Louang Phabang province's most picturesque waterfall is a refreshing respite from the tropical heat.
4 Haw Pha Kaew • Once the king's personal shrine, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha now houses the best collection of Lao art in the country.
5 Louang Phabang • At the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Khan, Laos's most enchanting city boasts atmospheric temples and a variety of excursions.
6 Royal Palace, Louang Phabang • The home of the country's last king provides a glimpse into Laos's fading royal past.
7 Wat Phou • The most evocative Khmer ruin outside of Cambodia, this rambling mountainside complex dates from the sixth to twelfth centuries.
8 Plain of Jars • Ancient funerary urns, the remnants of a lost civilization, lie scattered across the heart of the northeast.
9 Wat Sisaket • Buddha images nestle in temple walls at Vientiane's oldest temple, the only religious site spared the torch of invading Siamese in the 1820s.
10 Vang Viang • A spectacular landscape dotted with sawtoothed karsts, Vang Viang offers a chance to romp in the outdoors, with kayaking, rock climbing and caving all on hand.
11 The Nam Ou • Whether you're travelling by speedboat or on a lazy cruise, a journey along this tropical waterway in the mountainous north is an experience not to be missed.
12 Buddha Caves • Hundreds of Buddhas gaze serenely across the Mekong from their riverside perch.
13 Colonial shophouses • French-Indochinese shophouses add character to city streets in Mekong River towns, such as Savannakhet.
14 Si Phan Don • This picturesque collection of Mekong islands, close to the Cambodian border, is dotted with rustic fishing villages and offers the chance to view river rapids and – if you're lucky – rare dolphins.