***** LAOS *****

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Laos

Laos is a mountainous and landlocked country in South-East Asia that has long been isolated from the outside world. A visit to Laos is, in many ways, a trip back in time. Travelers are drawn here by a laid-back lifestyle that has disappeared elsewhere in the region. Even the capital Vientiane feels like a relaxed riverfront town. As the country opens up, with an increasing number of roads and bridges being built the amazing tourist attractions in Laos are becoming more and more accessible.

10Vieng Xai

flickr/Peter Garnhum

The Vieng Xai caves are an extensive network of caves that served as hidden city during the Vietnam War. The area was home to the Communist army, who were fighting the royalist forces based in Vientiane and was bombed by the US army. Up to 23,000 people lived in the caves, which contained a hospital, military barracks, bakeries, shops, and even a theater. The Lao government hopes to promote the caves as a tourism destination, similar to the Củ Chi tunnels in Vietnam.

9Pak Ou Caves

flickr/Egui_

The Pak Ou Caves are located north of Luang Prabang on the Mekong river and can be reached by road or river boat. The caves are famous for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of very small and mostly damaged wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the wall shelves. They take many different arrangements, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and reclining (nirvana).

See also: Where to Stay in Pak Ou Caves

8Wat Phu

flickr/prezius

Wat Phu (or Vat Phou) is a ruined Khmer temple complex located at the base of mount Phu Kao, in the Champasak province. The Hindu temple structures date from the 11th to 13th centuries. Wat Phu is small compared with the monumental Angkor-era sites in Cambodia but the tumbledown pavilions, enigmatic crocodile stone and tall trees that shroud much of the site give Wat Phu a mystical atmosphere. The temple is still in use as a Buddhist site today.

7Pha That Luang

flickr/A_E_P

Located in Vientiane, Pha That Luang (“Great Stupa in Lao”) is one of the most significant monument in Laos. The stupa has several terraces with each level representing a different stage of Buddhist enlightenment. The lowest level represents the material world; the highest level represents the world of nothingness. Pha That Luang was built in the 16th century on the ruins of an earlier Khmer temple. Pha That Luang was smashed by a Siamese invasion in 1828, then later reconstructed by the French in 1931.

See also: Where to Stay in Vientiane

6Wat Xieng Thong

flickr/Hanoi Mark

Located near the northern tip of the peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers, Wat Xieng Thong is Luang Prabang’s most magnificent temple. It was built in 1560 by King Setthathirath and was under royal patronage during the Kingdom of Laos. Wat Xieng Thong contains a rare reclining Buddha statue that dates from the construction of the temple. In 1931, the image was taken to Paris and displayed at the Paris Exhibition, only to return to Luang Phrabang more than 30 years later.

5Plain of Jars

flickr/joaquinuy

The Plain of Jars is a large area extending around the town of Phonsavan, where huge jars of unknown origin are scattered around the landscape. The stone jars appear in clusters, ranging from a single or a few to several hundred jars. The jars vary in height and diameter between 1 and 3 meters and are all hewn out of rock. The stone jars are undecorated with the exception of a single jar that has a human bas-relief carved on the exterior. Research of the Plain of Jars suggests that the stone jars are associated with prehistoric burial practices.

See also: Where to Stay in Plain of Jars

4Si Phan Don

flickr/ScruffyDan and Breanne

Si Phan Don (meaning 4,000 islands) is a beautiful set of islands, set against a scenic section of the Mekong River in Southern Laos. The Mekong is impassable to river traffic here due to the Khone Falls, a series of rapids that stretch 9.7 km (6.0 miles) of the river’s length. The Mekong below the falls has a small population of the highly endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins. The three principal islands that cater to tourists are Don Det, Don Khon and Done Kong. Most of the lodging available on Don Det and Don Khon consists of simple, family run bungalows. Bikes and kayaks can also be rented here.

See also: Where to Stay in Si Phan Don

3Vang Vieng

flickr/Prince Roy

Vang Vieng is a riverside town, located in central Laos about a 4 hour bus ride north of the capital. The main street is full of guest houses, bars, restaurants, internet cafes, tour agencies, and tourists. The area’s main attraction is the dramatic karst hill landscape surrounding Vang Vieng. The limestone mountains are popular with rock climbers while the many unexplored tunnels and caverns are a spelunker’s heaven. Vang Vieng’s most popular activity however is simply floating along the Nam Song river in a inner tube.

See also: Where to Stay in Vang Vieng

2Mekong River

flickr/Jody Art

The Mekong is Southeast Asia’s greatest river with an estimated length of 4,350 km (2,703 miles). Laos actually has the greatest share of the Mekong River. With few good roads and mountainous terrain, the river is Laos’ principal transportation. The Upper Mekong in Laos is considered one of the most stunning journeys of the entire river. A great way to enjoy the scenery is a boat trip from Huay Xai at the border with northern Thailand to Luang Prabang, or vice versa.

1Luang Prabang

flickr/wharman

One of the most charming cities in south-east Asia, Luang Prabang is the most popular tourist attraction in Laos. Until 1975, when the communist took over the country, it was the royal capital of Laos. The main part of Luang Prabang is located on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. A collection of golden-roofed temples, wooden houses and crumbling French provincial buildings fill the main roads. At dawn, monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms of rice.

See More On Thousand Places of ASIA:

• Laos Geography

• Laos History, Language & Culture

• Laos Things to See & Do

• Laos Accommodation 

• Laos General Information 

• Laos Shopping 

• Getting Laos And Away

• Laos Weather

• Laos Food & Drinks 

• Laos Cultural Visit 

• Where To Stay In Laos

• Laos Visa

12 best-value cities in Asia

This list runs from cheapest to most expensive, not necessarily from best to worst.

1 – Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnam’s ancient capital city has a compact and easy-to-visit center that is a great mix of Colonial and Asian architecture. While the motorbike traffic can feel overwhelming for those who are new to Asia, it’s actually quite fun to learn how to safely cross the street in daredevil fashion.

The food is notoriously good here, with arguably the best street-side Phở soup in the country. If you join the locals on the tiny plastic chairs on the sidewalks you can eat well for almost nothing here, but even in the tourist restaurants things tend to be cheap and delicious. The attractions, including Ho Chi Minh’s Tomb and the “Hanoi Hilton” prison, are also free or extremely cheap.

• Daily Backpacker Index: VND221,500 = US$11.35/day

2 – Goa, India

The western Indian state of Goa is not a place to go for temples and culture, but it’s a fantastic and cheap group of beach towns that are perfect for relaxing in the sun when you’re all templed out. And in spite of its heady reputation, there are virtually no chain hotels or restaurants to be found, so everything feels local and authentic, even though most of the visitors are Europeans.

With no taxes on alcohol, plus an absence of laws that prevent or restrict it like in most of India, Goa is a cheapskate drinker’s paradise, with giant ice-cold bottles of Kingfisher going for under US$2 even at the beach shacks. The hotels at the low end can be extremely basic, but better quality is available for those on higher budgets.

• Daily Backpacker Index:INR646 = US$14.23/day

3 – Hoi An, Vietnam

There are a few people who aren’t charmed by Vietnam’s most touristy city by the beach, but for most the visit to Hoi An is the highlight of the country. The Old Town is a small and protected Chinese-style fishing village that is a UNESCO Heritage Site, and even the more-modern city that surrounds it has a pleasant feel plus some very cheap hotels.

Hoi An can have a bit of a Disneyland feel to it, but it’s also beautiful and very unique. The best part for many of us is the food scene, which is one of the finest in Asia. A few special local dishes are only found here, but almost anything you order will not only be a farm-fresh treat, it will also be extremely inexpensive. This is also the best spot to enjoyBia Hoi, which is the world’s cheapest beer or the best bahn mi sandwich anywhere.

• Daily Backpacker Index:291,800 = $14.95/day

4 – Pokhara, Nepal

The main highlight of Nepal for most people is its gorgeous scenery and the trekking that goes along with it. Visitors usually fly first into the capital of Kathmandu, but Pokhara is really the tourism hub, and the starting point for most treks, including the famous Annapurna Circuit.

Even though most travelers tend to be busy hiking around most of the time, it would be hard to find a more pleasant backpacker town than Pokhara. Its Lakeside neighborhood is low-key and lined with cheap guesthouses and restaurants, plus countless shops selling souvenirs and name-brand trekking gear. The only problem is that it will be chilly or rainy or hazy for at least six months out of the year, so pick your dates carefully.

• Daily Backpacker Index: NPR1,193 = US$16.46/day

5 – Chiang Mai, Thailand

Between Bangkok and the Thai islands, most visitors to Thailand bounce back and forth from an enormous shopping city and touristy beach areas, but way up north in Chiang Mai you’ll get something different. Noted for an abundance of beautiful temples, Chiang Mai is far more low-key and also much cheaper than those others, so it’s a good place to relax and enjoy the cooler evenings and the Night Market.

This is also a big hub for trekking in the area, plus visits to small and less touristy towns, so it’s a great base for those on longer trips. The food in Chiang Mai is yet another highlight, with slight variations on most of the famous dishes found in Bangkok and elsewhere, at lower prices as well.

• Daily Backpacker Index: THB548 = US$17.98/day

6 – Luang Prabang, Laos

The main tourist city in the often-forgotten country of Laos is one of the nicest cities that so few have ever even heard of. More charming and scenic than the capital of Vientiane, Luang Prabang is suddenly on more and more itineraries, and prices are beginning to move up, but it’s still cheap and a great bargain for those exploring the region.

The old colonial city center is filled with excellent restaurants and surprisingly nice guesthouses, plus a temple on a hill that has the best views in the area. Many arrive by a 2-day slow boat ride from the Thai border on the Mekong River, but if you are able it’s far nicer and less crowded if you can leave that way instead, heading to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai next.

• Daily Backpacker Index: LAK156,000 = US$19.42/day

7 – Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Kuta is the main budget beach resort town, often filled with Australian surfers and backpackers, but this recommendation actually goes for the whole island. The tourism scene all over Bali has been expanding at a frenetic pace for more than a decade, especially in the mid-range and high-end parts of the spectrum, but the cheap and simple options are still available as well.

Vehicle traffic is now a major problem, so touring all the temples and artist towns in a day is nearly impossible. It’s better to stay at least a few days at the huge strip of places in or near Kuta, or in Sanur Beach not far away, and then spend a few more days in Ubud or elsewhere inland to get that more authentic Balinese feeling of paradise.

• Daily Backpacker Index: IDR186,400 = US$$20.57/day

8 – Bangkok, Thailand

As a major hub for air traffic, flights to Bangkok are usually the cheapest for Southeast Asia, which is perfect because it’s also the best place to start a trip to the region. This is a sprawling and enormous city that could feel intimidating if not for the fact that most important sights are walking distance from the Kho San Road backpacker district.

Bangkok is also known for food, especially the cheap and abundant street food that is available around the clock. But this is also one of the world’s shopping meccas, with a central district that is literally one indoor mall after another after another. From high fashion at reasonable prices to cheap brand-name electronics, there are thousands of shops to compare and choose from.

• Daily Backpacker Index: THB648 = US$21.27/day

9 – Siem Reap, Cambodia

As a city alone Siem Reap would be well up this list in the cheaper zone, but the total price we used includes admission to the mind-blowing Angkor Wat temple complex just north of town. The temples are on par with the Great Pyramids of Giza or the lost city of Machu Picchu, so many people choose to spend 3 days or even a week exploring the massive attraction.

With Angkor Wat at the edge of town, you might expect Siem Reap itself to be a cheesy tourist dive, but fortunately the city is one of the nicest and most pleasant in all of Southeast Asia. There are other things to see, plus interesting local crafts, and even mellow bike paths between them. You’ve also got loads of great restaurants that serve cheap local dishes and happy-hour glasses of Angkor draft beer for US$0.50 each.

• Daily Backpacker Index: US$23.70/day

10 – Beijing, China

With all the international chatter about how “overvalued” the Chinese currency is, it might be surprising to find that Beijing is one of the more expensive cities in Asia and on this list. Still, compared to the West, this is a fantastic bargain, and Beijing is definitely one of the world’s great cities.

With the Forbidden City at its heart, and the most popular section of the Great Wall just a short bus ride away, Beijing is the only place to really begin to understand China’s ancient past alongside its surging future. The quality of even the cheaper hotels here tends to be surprisingly good, and some excellent local food is never more than a block or two away.

• Daily Backpacker Index: CNY178.60 = US$26.94/day

11 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Along with the rest of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur tends to be forgotten and under appreciated. This is another ideal city for its cheap long-distance flights, plus an exotic-feeling culture that is very easy to deal with for new arrivals. Similar to Singapore, which is not far south of KL, this is a large and very modern city that seems to have more than its fair share of shopping centers, but it’s also weirdly cheap considering the cosmopolitan feel.

The influences of both China and India tend to be easy to spot in the food and the culture, but the mixture of the two provides another interesting counterpoint that you don’t find in many other places. There are excellent international restaurants in every neighborhood, plus more liberal alcohol laws that help make this a worthwhile party city as well.

• Daily Backpacker Index: MYR83.20 = US$27.10/day

12 – Hong Kong, China

Decades ago, Hong Kong was known as one of the cheapest tourist cities in the world, but things have been changing and many of the bargains are gone. Still, even though it’s relatively expensive for Asia, this is such a striking and dynamic city that it’s worth paying a bit more during a visit.

The skyline of Hong Kong Island itself is one of the most scenic in the world, and the views from the Peak are unforgettable any time of the day. The bustling harbour and the cheap and famous Star Ferries are attractions unto themselves, plus the food culture and party scene here are absolutely world-class, though not necessarily cheap at the same time.

• Daily Backpacker Index: HKD291.60 = US$37.53/day

*** Wackiest museums in Asia ***

The 7 wackiest museums in Asia

1. Meguro Parasitological Museum, Tokyo

'And I got the t-shirt to prove I was there ...'Not for the squeamish, the Meguro Parasitological Museum takes pride in being the only establishment in the world devoted entirely to parasites. Along with an extensive collection of roundworms, hookworms, flukes, nematodes and leeches, the gruesome yet highly educational museum has on display a dog's heart attacked by heartworms and a dolphin's brain spilling with brain worms. But don’t worry about the creepy crawlers actually crawling. Almost all of the specimens are preserved in formaldehyde.

Don’t miss: The 8.8-meter tapeworm. It’s billed as the world’s longest, but some records show otherwise. The monstrous creature was extracted from a man who ate some bad trout.

Details: 4-1-1, Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0064. Open 10 am to 7 pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Monday. Free

2. Jeju Teddy Bear Museum, Jeju Island, South Korea

Jeju Teddy Bear MuseumOne or two teddy bears on a shelf are cute. Thousands of teddy bears sipping tea, strutting down the catwalk and reenacting Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” are creepy. The bear overload nonetheless draws visitors to the Jeju Teddy Bear Museum on idyllic Jeju Island. Lovers of the stuffed mammals will find bears big and small -- as in human-sized bears and bears you can only see under a microscope. Many of the bears are dressed as iconic figures -- there’s an Elvis bear, a Charlie Chaplin bear and a Mona Lisa bear. Unfortunately, these bears don’t snuggle. Those who want to give 'bear hugs' will have to make a stop at the gift shop.

Don’t Miss: The most expensive teddy bear in the world. The Louis Vuitton teddy bear, complete with a logo trench coat and matching suitcase, will set the posh collector back US$193,000.

Details: Located in the Jungmun Resort Complex on Seobu Industrial Road in Jeju. Open 9 am to 7 pm, daily, with extended hours in the summer. Admission: $6 adults, $4 children.

3. Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, Tokyo

Shin-Yokohama Ramen MuseumIt’s no surprise that Japan would pay homage to its ubiquitous noodle soup, a dish that has warmed stomachs across the globe. Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museumfeatures oodles of ramen-related display pieces -- ramen bowls, ramen-making utensils, dioramas on the history of ramen, ramen-themed video games and a replica of the first-ever ramen dish, reportedly eaten by a 17th-century samurai. But the most satisfying attraction? The bustling food wonderland located in two underground levels, painstakingly created to resemble a streetscape in Tokyo circa 1958, the year instant noodles were invented.

Don’t miss: The Nissin Cup Noodles factory. You can create a pack of instant ramen to suit your own taste buds. You choose the flavor and ingredients, and even design your own packaging.

Details: A five-minute walk from Shin-Yokohama Station. Open 11 am to 11 pm, Monday to Friday; 10:30 am to 11 pm, Saturday and Sunday. Admission: US$3 adults, US$1 children and senior citizens

4. China Sex Museum, Tongli, China

China Sex Museum. Nestled in the quiet town of Tongli is one of China’s most provocative attractions. The China Sex Museum houses more than 3,700 erotic pieces that romp through 9,000 years of Chinese sexual history. There are beds used by Ming-era prostitutes, antique brothel coins and sex-instruction scrolls, all presented in an academic context. The corridors are surrounded by a picturesque garden filled with statues, some tame and others startlingly graphic. Museum founder Liu Dalin, a pioneer of sexology in China, has said that one of his missions is to transform the Western stereotype that the Chinese are illiterate when it comes to sex.

Don’t miss: The 'Sex in Primitive Society' exhibit. You’ll leave enlightened -- and maybe a little red in the face -- after viewing the prehistoric sex gadgets, including a two-sided cast-bronze dildo.

Details: Located in Tongli Town, Wu Jiang City, Jiang Su Province 215217. Admission: US$6.

5. Kyoto International Manga Museum, Kyoto

Kyoto International Manga MuseumEstablished on the site of a former elementary school in downtown Kyoto, the modern Kyoto International Manga Museum is a manga aficionado’s paradise, housing nearly 300,000 titles from Japan and abroad. Galleries show the historical development of manga, highlighting rarities such as Meiji-period magazines and postwar rental books. (For serious scholars, a vast archive in the basement keeps volumes dating to the 19th century.) What visitors appreciate most about the museum is its hands-on exhibits -- about 50,000 manga can be flipped through and enjoyed.

Don’t miss: Weekend demonstrations by Kyoto Seika University grads on how to draw manga. For a fee, they’ll even draw you as a manga character.

Details: Karasuma-Oike, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0846. Open 10 am to 6 pm, daily except Wednesday. Admission: US$5 adults, US$3 students.

6. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, New Delhi, India

Sulabh International Museum of ToiletsYes, the toilet, as in the loo, pot or porcelain throne. TheToilet Museum offers a fascinating look at the evolution of the humble lavatory, from 3000 B.C. to the present. Antiquated toilets, including ornately painted medieval urinals and ancient stoneware chamber pots, are juxtaposed with futuristic models. Fun toilet facts are offered throughout. (Did you know Louis XIV purportedly relieved himself while holding court?) Founder Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak says the museum is part of his “sanitation crusade” and has provided affordable toilets for thousands in India.

Don’t miss: Displays on toilet customs through the ages. Back in 1500 B.C., before defecating, married folks in India were to hang a 'sacred thread' on their right ears, cover their heads with cloth and have a moment of silence while facing north during the day and south at night. We’re grateful that today, when we gotta go, we can just go.

Details: Sulabh Bhawan, Mahavir Enclave, Palam Dabri Marg, Pin 110 045. Open 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday. Free

7. Ayashi Shonen Shojo Hakubutsukan (Mysterious Boys and Girls Museum), Izu-Kogen, Japan

When it comes to bizarre museums, this one takes the freak cake. The dizzying shrine to Western and Asian pop culture is packed with thousands of figurines (wartime action figures, aliens, Jessica Rabbit), mannequins dressed in retro designs, Godzilla toys, Marilyn Monroe dolls, Mao memorabilia, arcade games, S&M collectables and one of the most grotesque haunted houses on earth.

Don’t miss: The yard exhibits. Yes, there’s more weirdness awaiting you outside.

Details: 413-0235 Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture 1029-64. Open 9 am to 5 pm, daily.