Laos Louang Phabang Province

Luang Prabang, literally meaning: "Royal Buddha Image", is a city in north central Laos. It was listed in 1995 for unique and "remarkably" well preserved architectural, religious and cultural heritage, a blend of the rural and urban developments over several centuries, including the French colonial influences during the 19C and 20C. Luang Prabang is well known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Every morning, hundreds of monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms. One of the city's major landmarks is the 150m Mount Phou Si; theres' a steep staircase leading to Wat Chom Si shrine, where you can overlook of the city and the rivers.

Muang Ngoi Neua is a Lao town along the Nam Ou in Louangphrabang Province. It is part of Ngoi district 170km North-East of Luang Prabang. The town is a popular tourist destination because of its surrounding karst limestone mountains and is the starting point of Eco-tourism treks. Notable sights include the Tham Kang cave and Tham Pha Kaew cave north of town which were used as bombshelters during the Vietnam-war era. Every 10 days there is a regional market where tribal villagers come to trade. It is also possible to walk to little-visited surrounding villages for lunch. There are two other villages further afield on the same route, or take boat trips along the river.

Nong Khiaw is a village in the Laotian province of Luang Prabang. It is a popular tourist destination because of the walking and cycling routes near the village and the mountain-climbing opportunities. The only good way to get there used to be by boat from Luang Prabang or Muang Khua, near the Vietnamese border. This is not the case anymore due to the construction of dams on the Nam Ou river. There is also a road from Pak Mong to Hat Sao. The village is well known in Laos because of the bridge, which was given by China, that connects the two parts of the town. The bridge gives you a great view of the Nam Ou river, and the breathtaking rocks, mountains and hills around it.