Attractions and Places To See in Laos - Top 20

Always delicious food, no matter what time of day

Don Khon is the site of the Liphi Falls (officially known as Taat Somphamit). It is located about 15 km south of Muang Khong. Starting from the village of Baan Khon, 1 km down a path, the Liphi Falls cascade over rugged boulders. The falls have a drop of only a few meters, but their volume and power are impressive. A second waterfall is located 500 meters downstream. Fishermen use traps and nets to catch fish in the pools at the base of the falls. A unique attraction are the Irrawaddy dolphins, sacred to the Laotian people. The Center for the Protection and Conservation of Freshwater Dolphins is located on the border between Laos and Cambodia. Called "Pla kha" in Lao, the freshwater dolphins inhabit only this part of the Mekong. They are not afraid of humans and frolic when they see people. Source: https://vietlongtravel.com/de/News/laos-reisef%C3%BChrer/Liphi-Wasserf%C3%A4lle

The original stupa was built on this site in 1566 by King Saysetthathirath and restored in 1953. The golden stupa is 45 meters high and is said to contain a relic of the Buddha. The golden centerpiece of this stupa resembles the curve of an elongated lotus blossom. Only the top is covered with real gold; the rest of the stupa is painted gold. Today, it is the most important national cultural monument in Laos. Source: https://www.tourismlaos.org/that-luang/

Patuxai (Lao: ປະຕູໄຊ, [pátǔː sáj] "Gate of Victory", French also Monument des Morts) is a triumphal arch in the Laotian capital, Vientiane. The 49-meter-high monument stands at the end of Xang Avenue. Patuxai was built in the 1960s as a "Monument to the Heroes of the Royal Army", i.e., for Laos' independence from France (1949). When the Pathet Lao seized power in 1975, the massive concrete structure was nameless for 20 years. It was generally known simply as Anousavali (Monument). On the 20th anniversary of the seizure of power in 1995, the Arch of Triumph was rededicated "To the Heroes of August 23, 1975" (the day the monarch seized power in Vientiane). Confectionery turrets and sculptures from Indian mythology adorn the four-arched concrete structure. The numbers four and seven magically recur in the dimensions of the structure: the four pillars measure 4 × 4 meters, and the entire structure is 7 × 7 meters high. The monumental structure remains unfinished to this day, although the Laotian government has repeatedly approved new funds. Cement that the US had originally intended for the construction of an airfield for the Vietnam War was used here. In addition, building materials were diverted into other canals and used in villas and residential buildings. Currently, the building is primarily of interest to tourists. For a fee, visitors can climb the upper platforms, which offer a panoramic view of the city. The interior floors house numerous tourist shops. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patuxai

Patuxai (Lao: ປະຕູໄຊ, [pátǔː sáj] "Gate of Victory", French also Monument des Morts) is a triumphal arch in the Laotian capital, Vientiane. The 49-meter-high monument stands at the end of Xang Avenue. Patuxai was built in the 1960s as a "Monument to the Heroes of the Royal Army", i.e., for Laos' independence from France (1949). When the Pathet Lao seized power in 1975, the massive concrete structure was nameless for 20 years. It was generally known simply as Anousavali (Monument). On the 20th anniversary of the seizure of power in 1995, the Arch of Triumph was rededicated "To the Heroes of August 23, 1975" (the day the monarch seized power in Vientiane). Confectionery turrets and sculptures from Indian mythology adorn the four-arched concrete structure. The numbers four and seven magically recur in the dimensions of the structure: the four pillars measure 4 × 4 meters, and the entire structure is 7 × 7 meters high. The monumental structure remains unfinished to this day, although the Laotian government has repeatedly approved new funds. Cement that the US had originally intended for the construction of an airfield for the Vietnam War was used here. In addition, building materials were diverted into other canals and used in villas and residential buildings. Currently, the building is primarily of interest to tourists. For a fee, visitors can climb the upper platforms, which offer a panoramic view of the city. The interior floors house numerous tourist shops. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patuxai

Wat Si Saket is the oldest temple in Laos' capital, Vientiane, and a popular destination for devout Buddhists and many tourists. With its pagodas and 19th-century murals depicting the life of the Buddha, visitors encounter a deeply religious atmosphere. The 6,840 intricately crafted Buddha statues, constructed from a variety of materials including stone, wood, silver, and bronze, also make Wat Si Saket a truly remarkable place to visit. In 1808, King Anouvong had the Buddhist temple built. As ruler of Lang Xang, as the region around Laos was then known, which was dependent on Siam, Anouvong sought independence and sent his army against Siam. Following a heavy defeat, the city of Vientiane was completely destroyed. Only a few buildings, including Wat Si Saket, were spared. Since then, the temple and its numerous Buddha statues have been said to possess magical powers. Source: https://www.explorer.de/reiseziele/asien/laos/wat-si-saket.html

The Morning Market This small market is the Laotian "supermarket," where fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat are offered in display cases that don't always correspond to what we're used to in most of our countries. Some produce comes from the surrounding jungle and will certainly be highly exotic to travelers from Western countries. Starting at 8 a.m., this is a bustling place; a typical meeting place for Laotians who come to buy and/or sell. It's a busy place! You'll find many unusual foods such as ox blood in gelatinous cubes, snakes, bats, grilled insects (worms, grasshoppers, bee larvae, crickets, butterfly pupae), fly-covered entrails, caramelized pig's head, and all kinds of leaves and plants used in traditional dishes. Source and further information: https://www.luangprabang-laos.com/The-morning-market

Located near Luang Prabang, this waterfall awaits you even at the end of the dry season with impressive masses of water cascading over 30 meters of water. In addition to the main waterfall, the water's path forms countless turquoise pools where you can swim and refresh yourself. It's obvious that this beautiful place is no longer unknown. Source: https://faszination-suedostasien.de/tat-kuang-si-wasserfall-luang-prabang/#smooth-scroll-top