8 Must Visit Places in Laos

Laos is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia. There are numerous must-visit places in Laos for exploration. This stunning country cannot boast of serene sandy beaches and several thousand tourists every year, but it makes it up with spectacular natural sceneries, ruins, ancient cities, and some of the most charming and warm locals on Earth.

Laos is a laid-back country, and from here, you are sure to enjoy a fresh and relaxed environment as you enjoy extraordinary moments with friends or family. So on your first trip to Laos, make sure you visit these eight places and discover what other tourists have not yet explored.

Bolaven Plateau – Must visit place in Laos

To the southern part of Laos lays the majestic Bolaven Plateau. It is a landscape filled with dense forests, thundering waterfalls, and astounding coffee and tea plantations. The plateau is found at an altitude of around 1000 meters, and it has cooler and milder temperatures than the other parts of the country.

Plentiful of natural highlights like the Dong Hua Sao waterfalls and Tad Fane is the reason most travelers are dying to visit Laos.

Van Vieng

It is a top-rated destination in Laos for backpackers and budget travelers. The stunning environment is located in central Laos and occasioned by fascinating natural sceneries of Limestone Mountain, karst hills, caves, rivers, and tunnels.

Ultimately this haven of tranquility can be considered an adventure capital for Laos. Several tour companies offer adventurous activities to tourists, such as kayaking, spelunking, hiking, and tubing. There is also a downtown bar at Vang Vieng, which is a must-visit once you come to this place.

Plain of jars

The plain of jars is technically one of the unique places on Earth. It is an unusual sight found in the Southern part of Asia, and it remains an archeological mystery. The jars are located in a vast area of land near Phonsavan.

These jars are symmetrically arranged in several archeological sites, and no one is aware of how that came to be or what purpose they serve. It is, of course, one of the must-visit places in Laos. But how can you travel to Laos and discover these stunning places? Well, whether you require a visa to gain access to Laos will largely depend on the country you come from.

Eligible citizens will be granted visas upon arrival to the country. The visa on arrival is, however, given to the visitors who are on tour to Laos. It usually lasts for 30-days. Laos government has even created an electronic visa for travelers to ease up the time taken. Travelers are expected to apply for this visa seven days before the due date to Laos.

The application process is online, meaning that there is no time wasted at entry points to the country. Citizens from 150 countries are eligible to apply for this online visa as it saves a lot on time and resources.

For the visa on arrivals, you need to have the following requirements:

• Cash for the visa application process
• An original passport
• Two passport size photographs
• A visa application form duly filled and signed. For more insights on this visa you can visit visalaos.com

Pathet Lao Caves

It is an attractive network of tunnels and caves that surround Vieng Xai town. Located to the northeast of Laos, this is one of the most magnificent scenes Laos has to offer visitors. It is a key highlight in this majestic country as these caves were used as a base during the popular Vietnam war.

The caves were also once used as home to over 20,000 people. Inside these caves were numerous facilities such as shops, homes, hospitals, bakeries, and military barracks. The caves were, however, bombed by the United States troops and are now used as tourist attraction sites.

Luang Prabang

It is a remarkable place situated around the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. It was technically Laos' capital until 1975. In fact, Luang Prabang is the frequently visited city in Laos with diverse and incredible sites and sceneries in the country. It is also a UNESCO Heritage Site due to the perplexing features you can observe here, such as French colonial buildings, bald monks, and old temples bearing golden roofs.

Wat Phou

It is commonly referred to as Vat Phou. Typically means "mountain temple." Wat Phou is a facility housing the Khmer temple ruins that existed several years back. These Hindu Temples can be backdated to between the 13th and 11th century. It consists of pavilions, tall trees, pillars, shrines, palaces, and courtyards.

The complex has great historical significance as it is already declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Vientiane

It is Laos' capital city, and it has lots of fascinating and mind-blowing features. The magnificent city is among the must-visit places in Laos as it has a luxurious waterfront and other attractions. Visit Vientiane and discover the numerous Buddha statues, Phat That Luang stupa and the triumphal Patuxai.

There is a surprising mix of cultures and linguistics in this city as there are Vietnamese, Chinese, French, American, and the Lao roaming the streets of this dismaying city.

Mekong River

Mekong River is currently the greatest river in Southeast Asia, stretching for over 4,000 kilometers. The biggest section of this enormous river is in Laos, offering tourists and locals’ unique sceneries and panoramic views. The river also acts as a reliable means of transport. In a country with no well-established road network and the rugged terrain, the river remains the most reliable option to move about.

In case you want to explore more of Laos’ amazing sceneries and plantations, then the Mekong River will deliver everything at your doorstep.

Bottom Line

These are the top must-visit places in Laos that you should never miss to visit when you plan a holiday to the Southeast part of Asia. You will have the opportunity to learn and appreciate the culture of the Asian people as you explore the breathtaking views of the beautiful country.