Laos destinations: Indochina Exklusive by Myanmar Travel Ltd. - travel and tours to Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, China and Thailand

Laos
Destinations

Luang Prabang:
Royal Palace: Built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sasavang Vong and his family, this museum houses a wonderful collection of objects of arts, costumes from the Royal Theater, jewelry including the famous Prabang Buddha statue, and gifts received from foreign dignitaries. Wat Visoun: This 16th century temple served as a small mueseum for religious artifacts.		Window in Luang Prabang
Wat Xieng Thong: The most significant temple in Luang Prabang, built by King Saisetthathirat in 1560. It reflects the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground.

Baci ceremony		Wat Mai: Shelters the Buddha, known as Prabang, the city's namesake. Known as the nation's protector, this Buddha was made in Ceylon in 874 A.D. and is believed to hold the five posessions of the original Buddha on its forehead, chin, chest, and arms. Wat That Laung: Built in 1818 under the reign of King Manthatulat. Legend has it that this temple was originally established by Ashokan missionaries from India in the 3rd century B.C. Wat Aham: An early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps represent two characters from the Ramayana - Hanuman, the Monkey God, and a fierce Yaksa.
Phousy Hill: Walk up the 328 steps to the summit of Phousi Hill that dominates the 'skyline' of Luang Prabang - overlooking a fine panorama of Luang Prabang!

Pakbeng:
It is a 'stop-over' to Luang Prabang or to Houei Say when you arrive or leave Laos. Over 600 wooden houses sit along a steep hill. There is a lively market where local villagers from the surrounding ethnic villages come to exchange their goods. If time permits just visit

Wat Sin Jong Jaeng,
which dates back to late 19th century - inside there are Buddha images of various ages.

Mekong River at Pakbeng

Pak Oo:
Is about 25 km by boat from Luang Prabang, built into the rocky walls of a sandstone mountain and the home of one thousand Buddhas! The Buddha statues here are allegedly more than 300 years old. It is believed by the locals of Luang Prabang that many good-natured spirits reside in these caves and they were also visited annually by the King when Laos was a monarchy. There is also a small Royal Cave Wat nearby.

Pak Oo Cave

Plain of Jars:

The 3 Sites:
Situated on a high plateau with grasses and scrubby trees, this area is dotted with more than a hundred large stone jars. Legend has it as well that these stone jars were cups used by a race of Kha giants to drink alcohol. There are 3 sites to be vistied. Site 1, also called 'Thong Hai Hin', site 2, which is 'Hai Hin Phu Salato' and, last not least, site 3, which is 'Hai Hin Laat Khai'.

Plain of Jars

Sam Neua:
It can be reached by road and sometimes there are flights... Sam Neua is tucked away in a long narrow valley and the steep road winds through a brilliant evergreen pine-forest, passing through numerous remote traditional Lao, Blue Hmong and Khamu villages.

Around Sam Neua:

My favourite place: Our friends in Samnuea and lots of weaving...

Vieng Xail:
A 24 km drive from Sam Neua will bring you to the remote caves which were the former headquarters and home of the Pathet Lao (PL) revolutionaries of the Indochina War in Vieng Xail. Known as 'Walled City of Victory', the caves sit in a striking valley of verdent hills and limestone cliffs.

Tham Thaan Kaystone,
the cave office and residence of the PL chief.

Tham Than Souphanouvong,
the cave which housed the Royal Prince and

Tham Thaan Khamtay,
the cave named after the current President of Laos.

Vientiane:

Wat Sisaket: The oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8,000 Buddha statues. Wat Ho Pra Keow: The former home temple of the Emerald Buddha statue of Pra Keow, today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artrifacts found in around Vientiane. That Luang Stupa: The single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa, it contains a piece of the Buddha's chest bone. Patouxay (Arc de Triumph): It was built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and is today the landmark of Vientiane.		Weaver at Carol Cassidy's
Carol Cassidy: No visit is complete without having seen the Laos Textile Gallery owned by Ms. Carol Cassidy...

Ben Nakang:
This dense and beautiful forest setting covers 70% of the Khammouane Province, which is the 5th largest province of Laos. Extensive areas, still untouched by man, shelter many species of plants and wildlife, such as monkeys, birds, elephants and cattle. In the rivers of the limestone forests that are found here swim hundreds of different species of fish, some of which have only been recently discovered.

Ben Nakang

Savannakhet: That In Hang: A most venerated stupa and temple which houses a hollow chamber with a distinguished collection of Buddha images.
Champassak		Wat Sayaphoum: The main temple of Savannakhet and located in the town's center where all the important families of the city give their alms and build their stupas. Dinosaur Museum: Houses the skeleton of a Dinosaur which was found recently in this region! Champassak: Champassak Historical Heritage & Ethnology Mueseum: It's small - BUT excellent! Wat Phu: This site was sacred to the pre-Angkor kingdom from the 9th to the 13th century and may have been the site of human sacrifices.
Nested in a jungle setting, this ethereal Khmer mountain temple predates Angkor Wat by 200 years and consists of exquisitely carved pavillions and a tranquil sanctuary at the top where a sacred spring flows.

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