Attractions in Laos

Plain of Jars

The Plain of Jars is a mysterious megalithic archaeological landscape featuring thousands of ancient stone jars scattered across a central plateau.

Kong Lor Cave

One of the most impressive geological formations in Laos, a 7.5 km long karst cave traversed by a navigable underground river.

Wat Xieng Thong

One of the most historically significant Buddhist temples in Luang Prabang, famous for its sweeping roof and rich decorations.

Viengxay Caves

An extensive cave network that served as a secret base of operations for the Pathet Lao during the Second Indochina War.

COPE Visitor Centre

An informative museum in Vientiane documenting the impact of secret bombings on Laos and prosthetic efforts.

Mount Phousi

A 100-meter high hill in the center of Luang Prabang offering religious shrines and a panoramic view of the city.

Wat Si Saket

The oldest surviving Buddhist temple in Vientiane, known for its thousands of small Buddha statues in the walls.

Wat Mai

The largest and most richly decorated monastery in Luang Prabang, famous for its gilded reliefs on the front facade.

Chao Anouvong Statue

A prominent bronze monument along the Mekong in Vientiane, dedicated to the last king of the Kingdom of Vientiane.

Pha That Luang

The most important national monument in Laos, a large gold-covered Buddhist stupa in the center of Vientiane.

Pak Ou Caves

Sacred caves along the Mekong where thousands of small and large Buddha statues have been left by pilgrims.

Haw Phra Kaew

A former temple in Vientiane that today serves as a museum for religious art and ancient Laotian artifacts.

Buddha Park

An unusual sculpture park along the Mekong River that houses over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues.

Lao National Museum

A museum in Vientiane showcasing the history, culture, and revolutionary struggle of the Laotian people.

That Sikhottabong

A monumental stupa in Thakhek on the banks of the Mekong, said to house a relic of Lord Buddha.

Royal Palace Museum

The former royal palace of Luang Prabang, blending Laotian and French Beaux-Arts architecture.

Wat Visounnarath

One of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang, known for its unique watermelon-shaped stupa.

Vat Phou

A ruined Khmer temple complex in southern Laos, located at the base of Mount Phou Kao.

Monument

That Dam

A massive weathered stupa in the center of Vientiane, believed by many Laotians to be inhabited by a seven-headed Naga.

Monument

That Ing Hang

A significant sacred stupa in Savannakhet, believed to contain relics of Buddha and is an important pilgrimage destination.

Monument

Patuxai

An imposing triumphal arch in Vientiane, dedicated to those who fought for independence from France.

Nature

Lake

Nong Fa Lake

A deep blue volcanic crater lake in the remote southeast of Laos, surrounded by dense forests and local legends about mountain spirits.

Park

Mekong Riverside Park

A popular park along the river in Vientiane where locals gather in the evenings for sports, play, and relaxation.

Park

Phou Khao Khouay National Park

A national park near the capital that offers dense forests, wild orchids, and picturesque waterfalls.

Park

Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden

The first botanical garden in Laos, dedicated to preserving the rich flora and ecological learning.

Phou That

A small mountain in Bokeo province, known for the golden stupa on its summit, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Luang Prabang Range

A mountain range extending from Northern Thailand into Western Laos, forming the watershed between the Mekong and Nan rivers.

Phou Khoun Pass

A strategic mountain pass connecting Luang Prabang and Vientiane provinces, often called the gateway to the north.

Annamite Range (Laos)

A major mountain range forming much of the border between Laos and Vietnam, and is an important ecological region.

Phou Samsoun

A prominent mountain in Xiangkhoang Province, playing a significant role in local culture and beliefs.

Phou Den Din

A mountain within the Phou Den Din National Park, one of the most remote and least explored areas in Laos.

river

Nam Ngum River

One of the largest rivers in Laos and a major tributary of the Mekong, heavily utilized for hydroelectric power generation through dams.

Phou Loei Massif

A mountain massif within the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park, one of the largest conservation areas in Laos.

Khammouane Karst

A vast region of limestone mountains riddled with countless caves, including the Kong Lor Cave.

river

Xe Bang Fai River

This river in central Laos is famous for having bored its way through one of the largest river cave systems in the world.

river

Nam Song River

A picturesque river in Laos flowing through the stunning karst landscape surrounding the town of Vang Vieng, drawing tourists.

More highlights

Nam Kan National Park

This northern protected area is internationally known for spectacular zipline networks, bringing visitors closer to the canopy ecosystem.

energy

Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Plant

One of the largest and most controversial hydropower projects in Laos, built on the Nam Theun River to export electricity primarily to Thailand.

energy

Xayaburi Dam

A massive run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant on the lower Mekong, built despite ecological concerns regarding fish migration and sedimentatio…

trade-hub

Luang Namtha Border Trade Zone

A bustling trading hub in the north exchanging agricultural products, textiles, and consumer goods between Laotian and Chinese merchants.

trade-hub

Boten Specific Economic Zone

A rapidly growing trade and economic center on the border with China, serving as a major gateway for investments, tourism, and logistics.

Nakai-Nam Theun National Park

One of the largest and most biodiverse nature reserves in Laos within the Annamite Range, known for groundbreaking wildlife discoveries.

forest

Bokeo Nature Reserve

A protected forest area in northwestern Laos, established specifically to protect the critically endangered black-crested gibbon.

Dong Phou Vieng National Park

Known as the forest of the sacred spirits, this park protects pristine nature and the traditional lifestyles of local ethnic minorities.

wildlife-area

Dong Hua Sao National Protected Area

A nature reserve in the south where steep cliffs and deep forests provide habitat for wild Asian elephants and hornbills.

energy

Nam Ou River Cascade

A massive infrastructure project comprising a series of seven consecutive hydroelectric power plants along the Nam Ou River in northern Laos.

trade-hub

Bokeo International Trade Zone

A strategic trading area in the Golden Triangle, designed to promote commercial exchange between Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar.

Dong Amphan National Park

One of the most remote and least explored protected areas in southeastern Laos, harboring dense forests and rich wildlife.

ruin

Wat Phia Wat Ruins

An impressive ruin in Muang Khoun featuring a large seated Buddha statue exposed after the temple walls were destroyed by bombs.

valley

Nam Ou Valley

The valley carved by the Nam Ou River, one of the most important rivers in Laos, known for its dramatic limestone karst landscapes.