As the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, Laos sometimes gets overlooked by the region’s overseas visitors. But with its intriguing culture, stunning nature and rich history, you can be sure there are plenty of tourist attractions in Laos to pique your interest. From meandering down the Mekong by slow boat to cooling down in the pools at Kuang Si Falls; from visiting the Victory Monument in Vientiane to kayaking amidst the riverine archipelago of Si Phan Don in the south; and from admiring the myriad Buddhist temples to hiking or biking in the lush mountains surrounding Nong Khiaw, there are plenty of pleasing places to visit in Laos.
So, if you’ve been wondering, ‘What is there to see in Laos?’, wonder no more. Here’s a run-through of the best places to visit in Laos on your next Southeast Asian sojourn…
Top attractions in Laos: cultural cities & must-see places of interest
1. Vientiane
Sitting across the murky Mekong River from Thailand’s Nong Khai province, Vientiane is the capital of Laos and its largest city. Strolling through the streets, you can spot colonial-era architecture shoulder-to-shoulder with ancient Buddhist landmarks. Vientiane was one of the 6th-century Mon city states said to be the birthplace of Buddhism in the region, before more recently being the administrative hub during French rule.
Following French rule, the Laotians erected the Patuxai (Victory Gate), which is dedicated to those who fought for independence from France. While it may look a little like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, its decoration is in traditional Laos style. After checking out this symbol of modern-era Laos, you can then head across the city to Pha That Luang: the Great Stupa. This gold-covered stupa is said to have originated in the 3rd century but has seen extensive reconstructions through the ages. It’s a national symbol and the most important national monument in the country.
2. Vang Vieng
Lying a little over 100 kilometres north of Vientiane, the town of Vang Vieng is a pretty riverside haven surrounded by rainforest-covered mountains. Built upon the banks of the Nam Song River, the town first became known as one of the best places to visit in Laos due to its adventure sports, such as tubing, caving, and rock climbing. While you can still enjoy these activities, you can also enjoy more sedate activities, with sunrise hot-air balloon rides being arguably the pick of the bunch: the views of the river wending its way between the mountains are stunning!
With your feet back on solid ground again, you can enjoy other natural wonders close to the town. With the terrain mainly limestone, there are several caves and crystal-clear pools to explore. Blue Lagoon 1 and Phu Kham Cave are in the same location and a popular option, as is Tham Nam (Water Cave). If you’re feeling energetic, you could also trek up to Nam Xay Viewpoint to take in the stunning sunset views.
3. Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is, as well as being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the capital of its eponymous surrounding province. There are various ways of reaching Luang Prabang, depending on how you entered Laos. You could opt for a short flight from Vientiane, a morning’s drive through the misty mountains from Vang Vieng, or a slow meander along the Mekong by boat from the Thai border, not too far from Chiang Rai.
One of the most popular attractions in Laos can be found a short drive south of the city. The Kuang Si Waterfall is often described as being the most beautiful place in Laos and features a 60-metre fall. The water flows and falls in three cascading drops over white limestone rocks into aquamarine-hued pools surrounded by lush tropical rainforest.
Once back in the town, you should also explore Wat Xieng Thong: the Temple of the Golden City. The sixteenth-century temple is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the country and should definitely be on your list of where to go in Laos. Afterwards, you can head to the popular night market for souvenirs and then feast on the superb street food on Buffet Street.
4. Nong Khiaw
Located on the banks of the Nam Ou River, the Mekong’s largest tributary, Nong Khiaw is a village in the north of Luang Prabang Province. Until fairly recently, the only way to reach Nong Khiaw was by riverboat, but now it’s possible to get there via road in a little over three hours from Luang Prabang City. Verdant vegetation covers the encircling limestone mountains, which are home to several picturesque walking and cycling routes.
The most popular hiking route is to the Sleeping Woman Viewpoint, from where you will get breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains and the river below. The viewpoint gets its name from the profile of the mountain, which looks like a sleeping woman. For a more relaxing way to enjoy the local scenery, you can gently drift down the Nam Ou River on a bamboo raft and watch the world pass by.
5. Phongsali
Phongsali is the northernmost province of Laos, and its provincial capital bears the same name. The province shares its northern and western borders with China’s Yunnan province and its eastern border with Vietnam. The mountainous province is mainly at a reasonably high altitude, with Phongsali town sitting at 1,400 metres above sea level. The forests in the region are amongst the most remote and most untouched in the country, and they offer some magical hiking trails.
The population of this diverse province is made up of over 20 different ethnicities, and the Museum of Ethnic Groups is a great way to start your exploration of Phongsali. The town is built in the shadows of Phou Fa Hill, from the top of which you get outstanding panoramas of the lush forest below. You can then explore the tranquil countryside further, with hiking, camping, cycling and kayaking tours all being popular.
6. Phonsavan
Phonsavan is the capital of Xiangkhouang Province, and the town’s name can be translated as ‘Heaven’s Mound’ or ‘Hills of Paradise’. The town is around 250 kilometres north of Vientiane and is famous for being the gateway to the Plain of Jars: a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is one of the most popular attractions in Laos. The Plain of Jars is a megalithic archaeological site, consisting of thousands of millennia-old stone jars scattered around the central plain of the Xiangkhoang Plateau.
There are several other places to visit in and around the town. The hot springs at Baw Nyai, Tad Ka Waterfall, and Tham Xang Caves are all short drives from the town centre. The hot springs are at the end of a short hike and offer a peaceful place to soak your tired legs after a hard day’s exploring.
7. Thakhek
Heading farther south, Thakhek is the capital of Khammouane Province, in south-central Laos. It sits along the Mekong and is a short drive over the Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge from the Thai town of Nakhon Phanom. Thakhek has a French feel, with many of its official buildings and shops in the colonial style. For a cultural experience, you can head south of the town to visit That Sikhottabong: one of the most sacred stupas in Laos. The 500-year-old temple is said to house bones of the Buddha and stands almost 30 metres high.
If you fancy yourself as a biker, Thakhek is also home to the most scenic ride in Laos – the Thakhek Loop. This four-day circuit takes you through the stunning natural beauty of the region and takes in many of the top attractions. The route features plenty of shady caves and cool pools for escaping the midday sun, such as Falang Swimming Hole and Dragon Cave. There are also superb viewpoints and lovely local villages along the loop. If you’re not so comfortable on a bike, you can still venture out to explore these sites on tours.
8. Savannakhet
Continuing south from Thakhet will lead you to Savannakhet Province: the country’s largest province. Savannakhet is not as busy as many other Laotian destinations, as the party-seeking backpackers tend to scoot on past on night-buses heading to the deep south of Laos. Sites to see include Wat Sainyaphum, Heun Hin, St Teresa’s Catholic Church, and a couple of interesting-but-small museums (the Dinosaur Museum and the Savannakhet Museum).
Wat Sainyaphum is a peaceful temple, often devoid of other tourists, and is nice for a spot of peaceful contemplation. ‘Heun Hin’ means ‘stone house’ and is the remains of a Khmer structure built around the 12th to 13th centuries. St Teresa’s is another legacy of French rule, and the two small museums can easily be explored in one morning with a coffee break between them. The Dinosaur Museum is great for smaller travellers, and the Savannakhet Museum tells some of the story of the Secret War (a conflict which left Laos with the dubious title of being the world’s most bombed country).
Best places to visit in Laos for nature lovers
9. Pakse
Getting even closer to the border between Laos and Cambodia in the south is the city of Pakse. The name means ‘mouth of the river’, and the city is Champasak Province’s capital and biggest city. A visit to Pakse puts you close to some of the best natural attractions in Laos. Waterfalls, tranquil islands in the Mekong, and the ethnic villages make the province a fantastic place to explore.
About an hour’s drive south of Pakse is one of Southeast Asia’s oldest places of worship. Vat Phou is a ruined Khmer-Hindu temple complex that predates Angkor Wat. It sits at the bottom of a mountain, not too far from the banks of the Mekong, and parts of it were built in the 7th century.
Among the natural wonders that make this region so captivating, the waterfalls stand out as particularly spectacular. While there are many waterfalls in Laos, for many, Khon Phapheng Falls near the Cambodian border rank very highly on the list of which ones to visit. Strictly speaking, they are a series of waterfalls and are the largest in Southeast Asia. The water falls from a maximum height of 21 metres, and the falls produce a stretch of rapids almost ten kilometres long.
10. Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands)
The Khon Phapheng Falls sit at the end of a section of the Mekong known as Si Phan Don, which translates as ‘4,000 Islands’. It’s a perfect spot for relaxing on peaceful islands, with scenic Mekong sunsets, surrounded by Laos’s diverse flora and fauna.
The best ways to immerse yourself in the tranquil, surrounding nature are to rent either a kayak or a cycle. The bigger islands are home to temples and traditional villages and even a couple of waterfalls. And, even though Laos is landlocked, you can still find a beach here – Khong Yai Beach is a sandy spot next to the river where you can go for a cooling dip. You can also visit the remains of the first railway in Laos, the Don Det–Don Khon narrow-gauge railway, which was built by the French to bypass the unnavigable section of rapids created by the Khone Phapheng Falls.
11. Bolavan Plateau
Another of the best places to visit in Laos for nature lovers is the Bolavan Plateau. Located in southern Laos at an elevation of around 1,000 metres, this spectacular highland region enjoys a cooler climate than the lowlands. The plateau is known for its coffee plantations, traditional villages and picturesque waterfalls, with the higher altitude creating ideal conditions for growing some of Southeast Asia’s finest coffee beans.
12. Hua Xay – Luang Prabang river journey
If you’re a nature lover and cruising along one of Asia’s most iconic rivers – it’s the continent’s third longest – on a jungle odyssey floats your boat, this could be one of the best attractions in Laos for you. The distance between Hua Xay and Luang Prabang is about 120 kilometres, as the crow flies, but the Mekong is no crow. The river meanders through the Laotian countryside, and the journey takes two or three days. As well as seeing the local way of life as you pass by riverside villages, you can also enjoy the scenery. Don’t forget to keep an eye open for monkeys swinging through the jungle and exotic birds calling to one another across the river.
Independent travel vs. organized tours: where to go in Laos
While we all have our preferences, there are pros and cons of travelling independently versus joining an organized tour. Travelling independently gives you full control of your itinerary and lets you see the country at your own pace. The trade-off is that you lose the local knowledge of having a guide and may miss more out-of-the-way attractions. In Laos, travelling with an organized tour can give you access to remote tribal areas (like Bam Nalam village and Khmu tribes) and off-the-beaten-path hiking routes that you can’t find on Google Maps. Remembering your school-days French will help you get by, but aside from Lao – the official language – there are many, many ethnic dialects spoken in different regions, and joining an ethical-travel tour that uses local guides can help you connect with local culture on a much deeper level.
Another benefit of organized tours is that you can find ones with specific themes, such as a Laos Nature Tour, and you will make new friends for life with the other like-minded travel companions in your group.
What to see in Laos: frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Laos?
For those wondering, ‘What is there to see in Laos?’, the country is well-known for its stunning nature, traditional culture, more off-the-beaten-track tourism than neighbouring Thailand or Vietnam, plenty of caves and waterfalls, and excellent food – make sure you try a traditional laab dish!
How many days do you need to visit Laos?
While it depends a little on what and how much you want to see in Laos, the general consensus is that you should plan for at least a week. Ten days or longer is even better, especially if you want to travel around the country seeing as much as you can.
Best places to visit in Laos in 4 days?
If you only have a few days to spend in Laos, Luang Prabang may be your best bet. There’s plenty to see and do in and around the UNESCO World Heritage Site city, and opting for one destination will help you make the most of your time. Check out this four-day itinerary to help you see the best attractions in Luang Prabang.
When to visit Laos (best time to go)?
The best time to visit Laos is generally between November and April during the dry season, offering slightly cooler temperatures and lower humidity, and it’s the best time to enjoy the Mekong.
What are the best waterfalls to visit in Laos?
There’s no shortage of Laos waterfalls, and you will probably be able to see many different ones during your stay. Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang, the impressive twin drops of Tad Fane in the Bolaven Plateau, and Southeast Asia’s biggest falls, the mighty Khon Phapheng Falls, are all well worth a visit.
Are Laos waterfalls accessible for all travelers?
Yes, but with so many stunning waterfalls in the country, there is some variation in how easy they are to get to. Many are super easy; others are a little further out of the way and harder to reach. Some of the falls will require some physical effort (in the form of a beautiful and rewarding jungle trek), while others can be reached by simply jumping into a local tuk-tuk.
