What to See in Laos

last edited Dec 11, 2019

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Location Map of Laos

Laos Open the interactive map

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Laos has three sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:

Vat Phou (2001)
Located in the Champassak area, this UNESCO-listed Khmer archaeological site consists of temples and the remains of two ancient cities built along the Mekong. It is the country’s main and most interesting site.

Luang Prabang (1995)
A blend of European and traditional architecture with numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries; this is a stunning city in a breathtaking setting, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Plain of Jars (2019)
The site is located near Phonsavan. It spans 1,000 km² of numerous jar fields dating back over a millennium. Since 2019, the site has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cities and Cultural Heritage

The North

Viengxay Caves
Located in northeastern Laos, near Vietnam, this network of historically significant caves was used by local populations as shelters from American bombings during the Vietnam War.

Huay Xai
A border town with Thailand, accessible by boat from Luang Prabang via the Mekong, and the last crossing between the two countries in the north.

Luang Namtha
A major town in the far north, serving both as a stopover on the route to China and a base for treks to meet local ethnic minorities.

Luang Prabang
A blend of European and traditional architecture with numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries; this is a stunning city in a breathtaking setting, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Muang Ngoi
Only accessible by boat, this village nestled in a stunning setting is a favorite among travelers. Hiking in the surrounding area is possible.

Muang Xay
Also called Oudomxai, the major northern city is at the crossroads of routes to China, Vietnam, and southern Laos via Luang Prabang. More than the city itself, its surroundings are what’s interesting (caves, nature activities...).

Nong Khiaw
A quiet riverside town in northeastern Laos with a pleasant setting.

Pakbeng
This small town on the Mekong serves as a stopover for boat trips along the river between Luang Prabang and Huay Xai at the Thai border.

Phongsali
A small high-altitude town in the far north whose architecture has been influenced by neighboring China.

Sam Neua
A town in the northeast, near Vietnam, and the capital of a rarely visited province.

The Center

Phonsavan
A high-altitude town whose surroundings boast beautiful natural heritage (lakes, caves, waterfalls), remnants of the Vietnam War (battlefields, memorials, "developed" caves), and even older sites (Plain of Jars).

Plain of Jars
The site is located near Phonsavan. It spans 1,000 km² of numerous jar fields dating back over a millennium. Since 2019, the site has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Vang Vieng
This small, highly touristic town is located in a region of caves and karst mountains between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. It’s renowned for its trekking, climbing, and tubing opportunities, as well as its wild party scene, which clearly attracts a lot of young travelers.

Vientiane
Separated from Thailand by the Mekong, Laos’s capital offers visitors a few museums, temples, and beautiful buildings.

Xieng Khuan
Also known as "Buddha Park". It's a park near Vientiane featuring over 200 Buddhist and Hindu sculptures created in the late 1950s by a local artist.

The South

Pakse
It's a large city in southern Laos, primarily used by travellers for its transport links to the surrounding areas.

Ho Chi Minh Trail
Used during the Vietnam War, this trail connects Vietnam to Cambodia via southern Laos. It holds significant historical value.

Savannakhet
The country’s second-largest city, on the banks of the Mekong, features quite beautiful architecture from the French colonial era.

Vat Phou
Located in the Champassak area, this UNESCO-listed Khmer archaeological site consists of temples and the remains of two ancient cities built along the Mekong. It is the country’s main and most interesting site.

Natural Heritage

Khone Phapheng Falls
This is a series of rapids on the Mekong located at the Cambodian border in the "4,000 Islands" region.

Kuang Si Falls
These are beautiful and large waterfalls located about thirty kilometers south of Luang Prabang.

Li Phi Falls
Small waterfalls on the Mekong in a pretty natural setting in the heart of the "4,000 Islands" region.

Chom Ong Caves
These are the largest caves in northern Laos. They are located near Muang Xay.

Kong Lor Caves
Also called Tham Kong Lo, this is a stunning cave network that can be explored by boat from its small village.

Pak Ou Caves
North of Luang Prabang, a series of caves facing the Mekong. They are known for the hundreds of small Buddha statues they house.

Mekong
It’s THE river of Laos that flows from north to south and an excellent transport route (or cruise) for discovering another side of the country.

Annamite Mountains
This is a long mountain range in Laos offering some beautiful landscapes. The chain also serves as the border between Laos and Vietnam.

Bolaven Plateau
This plateau east of Pakse offers stunning landscapes of tea and coffee plantations, primary forests, and spectacular waterfalls, where you can hike and meet local rural communities.

Bokeo Nature Reserve
In the province of the same name, bordering Thailand and Myanmar. The area is known for being home to the black gibbon, a rare species of monkey.

Si Phan Don
Also known as the "4,000 Islands", this is a group of islands on the Mekong River in southern Laos, near the border with Cambodia. You can enjoy beautiful landscapes with waterfalls (Li Phi, Khone Phapheng...) and spot dolphins during boat trips.

Nam Ha Protected Area
On the doorstep of Luang Namtha, this stunning mountain and jungle region (along with its neighbours) offers countless trekking opportunities to meet ethnic minorities.