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Attapeu: Laos
Attapeu province is rugged,wild and very scenic, but transportation is very difficult, especially by land in the rainy season. Officially, the provincial capital of Attapeu is called Muang Amakhi Xai, but is usually referred to as Attapeu. Its main attraction are the numerous beautiful gardens, which made the city known as the “garden village". At Xaisintha everyone seems to spend all day long lolling around in the river, fishing, swimming and chatting and it is only around 12 km and 20 minutes away.
The population is thin and most people are of Lave Nge and Talieng ethnic groups. They do farming; growing coffee, tea and vegetable along with some mountain rice. The hill people share close tradition with the tribes in the Ratanakiri province in Cambodia. The capital Attapeu is in the valley surrounded by the mountains. The town of Samakhi Xai (Attapeu) is situated in a large picturesque valley. The population of the province is more Lao Loum than the neighbouring provinces.
Parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail can be explored from Attapeu, although using a local guide is essential. Laos, Attapeu Province is worth to see!
Bokeo: Laos
The northwestern Lao province of Bokeo is best known for the provincial capital of Huay Xai which forms the launching point into Laos for all arriving from northern Thailand. The three country borders intersection (Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar), known as the “Golden Triangle", is located here. Several groups of people live in the province. One of the popular business is gold panning and digging for precious stones along the rivers. Vegetables farming, cattles raising, trading goods with Thailand, Myanmar and China, as well as some tourism activities are among popular economies for the locals. okeo province has five districts: Houseisay, Ton Pheung, Meung, Parktha and Pha-Oudom. With 36 townships, it has more than 400 villages and a total population of 60000, consisting of many ethnic groups, each with their own lifestyles and customs.
Bolikhamxai: Laos
Bolikhamxai (or Borikhane) is a province of Laos, located in the middle of the country.
The province was formed in 1983 from parts of the Vientiane province and Khammouan. In Khamkuet district there is a karst limestone scenery, which is largest in south east Asia.
Champassak: Laos
There is only one road in Champassak which starts from the ferry landing to S through the village. The center of the village is a place of a roundabout. All GHs, restaurants, a bank and government buildings are located around this roundabout or on this road. It is possible to visit here from Pakse for a day trip. However the accommodation is much cheaper and it is a very relaxing place. The province also houses much of the Bolaven Plateau, an area that is home to a number of ethnic minorities. To the south is Si Pan Don (four thousand islands), where the Mekong reaches up to 14km wide during the rainy season and the Khone Phapeng Falls.
Houa Phan: Laos
Laos, Houa Phan - Houa Phan province is situated in the northeast of Laos and was the base of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Army activities. There are over 100 caves in the Vieng Xai district of Houa Phanh many of which were used as hideouts and bunkers during the Indochina war. Lao Aviation flies daily to the capital Xam Neua from Vientiane - for flight information, please click here for Lao Aviation’s flight schedule.
The most famous caves in the area are:
Tham Than Souphanouvong: formerly known as Tham Phapount. In 1964, Prince Souphanouvong set up his residence in this cave. Tham Than Kaysone: formerly known as Tham Yonesong, was established for the residence of Mr. Kaysone Phomvihane. Tham Than Khamtay: was the residence of Mr. Khamtay Siphandone, consisting of many area, such as a meeting room, reception room and research room.
Khammouane: Laos
Khammouane province contains two vast wilderness areas known as the Khammuane Limestone National Biodiversity Conservation Area and the Nakai - Nam Theun National Biodiversity Conservation Area. The province contains many limestone mountains, cave systems, and rivers flowing down the mountain slops and through the caves. Tham (cave) Khon Lore at the upper part of Nam Hin Bun river offers a 7 km long waterway navigable by small boat. For most of the wet season, the area is not accessible by road - most ‘roads’ being tracks with log bridges across deeps streams. These tracks are often routes across rice paddies near the river banks - during the rainy season, the only way to get around is by boat.
Luang Namtha: Laos
Luang Namtha province is located in the northwest of Laos, bordered by Myanmar in the northwest, China to the north, Oudomsay province to the southeast, and Bokeo province to the southwest. The town itself is a planned town. The streets are too wide and each block is too big. The main street coming from Muang Xinh or Udomxai is running from N to S, 3km. many GHs or restaurants, a bank, post office, telephone office are on this road. The Mekong on the border and other rivers offer alternative mode of transport in which you can travel slow-motion and interact with the local people. The rivers in the hilly regions (mostly in the north) have many rapids to pass though.
Getting there
Lao Aviation flies to and from Houay Xai and Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Lao Aviation’s domestic timetable. Buses run from Houay Xai, Muang Xai and from the Chinese border at Boten.
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Luang Prapang: Laos
Information will be available soon….
Oudomxai: Laos
The chief town of the province of Oudomxai, also called Muong Oudomxai, is on the road which carries out of Luang Prabang to Luang Namtha. The city was entirely destroyed by successive bombardments during the war. It is rebuilt after the war and becomes today a significant commercial crossroads between China and Vietnam. Many goods forward by this city which, at the same time, benefits from this economic development. The population is composed of lao Theung and lao Soung(60%), Chinese (25%) and of lao loum (15%). The large market of centre town constitutes a true cultural crossroads, all the ethniques groups of the area are represented there.
Phongsali: Laos
Phongsali, with its strong Chinese influence and large number of local ethnic groups, is one of the most fascinating and unique towns in Laos. The picturesque Chinese Quarter features narrow, crowded cobblestone streets lined with small, low-roofed houses made of wood and stone. Simple decorative details are carved or painted in muted colours. The two main ethnic groups are Phou Noy, whose members wear traditional white leggings, and Chinese Ho, ancestors of the old Yunnan traders, who wear baggy trousers. Chinese is more widely spoken here than Lao and in fact, if it wasn’t for the French, Phongsali would most likely now be part of China’s Yunnan province. The town winds along the top of mountain ridges in the shadow of Phou Fa, or Sky Mountain. Spectacular views fall from either side: deep valleys and rolling mountains of patchwork. At an altitude of 1,400 metres, Phongsali can get very cool in the winter months. At night too, its height and distance from other towns means that the view of the stars is magnificent.
Wandering the streets during the day, the predominant sounds are of birds and rushing water. As dusk falls, the sounds of playing children mix with farmyard noises, reinforcing the rural feel of the place. Trekking trips allow you to explore the countryside, seeing a special part of the country that is rarely visited. Not many international travellers come to Phongsali and it’s a shame. This is mostly because the journey, either by road from Udomxai or by river from Muang Khua is long and hard – but it’s worth it.
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