Laos
Asia
About the size of the UK and three times larger than Ireland, landlocked Laos is one of Asia's best kept secrets.
Highlights
Not just a stopover between Thailand and Vietnam, this country is filled with rich heritage and warm welcomes.
Plain of Jars
Discover the Plain of Jars, mysterious giant stone jars thought to be over 2,000 years old and scattered across 15km of the Xieng Khuang Plateu, perched high above the Mekong and Vientiane Plain. However, there's more to see in the region, from beautiful scenery to friendly villages.
Bohemian Luang Prabang
Sitting by the Mekong and Khan Rivers, in a slim valley shaped by towering green mountains, the bohemian town of Luang Prabang is home to red-roofed temples, French-Indochinese architecture, some of the country's best cuisine and Laos' most sacred Buddha image - the Pha Bang. Visitors to this tiny town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can take in the view from top of Mount Phousi at sunrise, wander around the lively morning market, explore the elegant Royal Palace Museum and visit the impressive Wat Xieng Thong Temple in one day. Those staying longer should take a boat up the Mekong River or discover the Kouang Si and Tad Se waterfalls to the south.
Temples and Buddhist statues
Laos' laid-back capital, Vientiane, is a former French trading post dotted with grand monuments. Visit Wat Sisaket, the city's oldest temple, and Wat Simuang, one of the most popular temples before stopping at That Luang in the evening, when the golden spires glow in the setting sun. Just outside of the city, Xieng Khuan, the Buddha Park, is a popular day trip and home to more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues, including a 40m long reclining Buddha.