5 Of The Best Cities To Visit In Laos

Seeking the enigmatic experience of Laos, a country that cherishes its traditions while embracing an optimistic future. With vivid nature, voluptuous landscapes, and vibrant culture, Laos is an adventurer's paradise. Unlike other countries in the South Asian region, Laos remains untainted by mass tourism, offering a unique opportunity to explore Asia in slow motion. Nature enthusiasts will relish the opportunity to spot gibbons or elephants while walking in the wild. Culture lovers can explore ancient temples and learn about Lao spiritual life. 

Its capital, Vientiane, is a somnolent city that belies its status as an Asian capital. With a timeless quality to rural life, stilt houses and paddy fields look like they are straight out of a movie set. This article will take you through Laos and discover the 5 best cities. So, pack your bags and prepare for an adventure of a lifetime in one of the best cities to visit in Laos.

Top Cities In Laos: Must-see Attractions & Top Things To Do There

VIENTIANE

Vientiane is the capital and largest city in Laos. Over the last two decades, it has transformed from a sleepy backwater to a thriving economic center. The city boasts French-colonial architecture and Buddhist temples like other cities in Laos. Some of the most remarkable temples in Vientiane that should be mentioned include Pha That Luang, a 16th-century temple that looks particularly impressive during sundown when its golden surface shines; Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple in the city that houses thousands of Buddha images; and Wat Si Muang, a popular destination for worshippers. Aside from these temples, Vientiane draws tourists worldwide for the socialist-era Lao National Museum and museum of religious art housed in Ho Phra Keo. Venturing outside Vientiane, you will have a chance to uncover a handful of destinations, including Xieng Khuan, also known as Buddha Park, which is home to more than 200 statues of both Hindu and Buddhist origin. Ang Nam Ngum Reservoir is also a great place for hiking, camping, and boating.

Vientiane maintains a relaxed atmosphere, making it a great destination for travelers seeking a low-key getaway. The city caters to all budgets, with various accommodations and dining options, from street markets to upscale restaurants.

You can refer to the article in Best places to visit in Vientiane

Vientiane is the largest city in Laos

LUANG PRABANG

Nestled between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang is one of the top cities in Laos to pay a visit. The city offers both spiritual nourishment and world-class comfort. Over the past 25 years, Luang Prabang has experienced a significant increase in investment, transforming once-abandoned French villas into luxurious boutique hotels and attracting some of Southeast Asia's finest chefs. The old town of Luang Prabang, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a highlight in the city. 

In addition to the well-preserved old French colonial buildings, the city offers aquamarine waterfalls, top trekking opportunities, meandering mountain bike trails, kayaking trips, river cruises, and outstanding natural beauty. When in Luang Prabang, wake up early in the morning and head to the Tat Kuang Si Waterfall, located about 30 kilometers out of the city; you will enjoy the refreshing natural water taste.  

Luang Prabang is easily accessible by air via its international airport. The fastest routes are from Bangkok, Hanoi, Siem Reap, and Vientiane, served by airlines such as Bangkok Airways or Lao Airlines. Alternatively, a popular option is to travel by boat over the Mekong River, which can be done from Chiang Khong in Thailand or Huay Xai on the Laotian side of the border. Travelers have the choice of speedboats, which offer a fast ride, or slow boats that can take up to two days to reach Luang Prabang.

You can refer to the article in Luang Prabang Travel Guide

Luang Prabang is one of the top cities in Laos 

SAVANNAKHET

Savannakhet is Savannakhet Province's capital, situated on the banks of the Mekong river. The city offers a mix of past and present Laos, with its most notable feature being the historic quarter showcasing early 20th-century architecture in a state of decay. Although Savannakhet has fewer attractions to offer tourists than Luang Prabang, Vientiane, its incredible scenery makes Savannakhet ideal as one of the best Laos cities to visit. Wandering the riverfront or enjoying tasty foods in one of a clutch of fancy restaurants are popular on a Savannakhet trip.

The Dong Phu Vieng National Protected Area is excellent for nature lovers to trek through bamboo forests, dense woodlands, and rocky plains of Dong Sakee Forest. In this protected area, you'll find various exotic animals, such as hornbills, silver langurs, and leaf monkeys.

For animal enthusiasts, the Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum is a place to be. Despite its small size, the museum showcases an extensive collection of fossils from the prehistoric era of Savannakhet. The museum's exhibits feature a variety of skeletal remains of dinosaurs, including Saurpodes, Theropode, Iguanodon, and Psittacosaurus, which were excavated from the Ban Tangvai region located 120 km east of Savannakhet. Additionally, the museum has early mammalian remains dating back to 200 million years ago and even displays fragments of a meteorite that landed on Earth over 100 million years ago. Visitors can find the museum on Thanon Khanthaburi in Ban Sayaphoum within Savannakhet province.

You can refer to the article on Savannakhet Travel Guide

Savannakhet is Savannakhet Province's capital

CHAMPASAK

Champasak is among the best cities in Laos in the southwestern region of Laos, which is near the borders of Thailand and Cambodia. Formerly the capital of the Champasak Kingdom, the city is well-known for numerous top-rated tourist attractions, such as Wat Phou, Si Phan Don,  and Khone Phapheng, among the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia. As a gateway to Wat Phu, visitors can explore the 11th-century Khmer temple complex with intricate sandstone carvings depicting Hindu deities. The temple ruins are World Heritage-listed and date back to the 5th century, offering visitors a unique blend of history, art, and breathtaking scenic views.

Champasak is renowned for its incredible Champasak Cultural Landscape, which encompasses the remains of the Khmer Empire's temple complex, including the Wat Phou temple built during the 11th and 12th centuries. The Wat Phou temple complex,  located at the base of a hill, is the centerpiece of the site and is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The design of the temple complex was intended to convey the Hindu perception of the interrelation between humanity and nature. It features a geometric pattern of temples, waterworks, and shrines extending approximately 10 km along an axis from the mountaintop to the riverbank. Additionally, the site includes two planned cities located on the banks of the Mekong River, along with Phou Kao mountain. The entirety of the Champasak Cultural Landscape represents an evolution that spans from the 5th to 15th centuries and is primarily associated with the Khmer Empire, making it a fascinating and significant historical site.

Champasak is among the best cities in Laos in the southwestern region of Laos

SALAVAN

Salavan is the capital of Salavan Province, situated in southern Laos. The province boasts the Phou Xieng Thong National Biodiversity Conservation Area, which occupies almost 1,000 square kilometers of land in the western part of the province, near the Mekong River. Several species of wildlife, such as the Asiatic black bear, clouded leopard, Douc langur, elephant, gibbon, guar, Siamese crocodile, and tiger, can be found in this area. Moreover, Salavan is home to vast expanses of forest and three National Protected Areas that protect a diverse range of flora and fauna. 

The Tad Lor Waterfall is the main attraction for tourists in Salavan Province and serves as a starting point for exploring this remote region. Visitors can relax in the tranquil atmosphere of the waterfall and stay in traditional-style guest houses and resorts. To reach the waterfall, one can travel on road No.20 to Salavanh-Pakse District in Champasack Province, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Salavanh District.

Hope the article above gave you the most helpful information about the best cities to visit in Laos. Apply for a Lao visa right away to start your Laos journey and get many memorable experiences with your loved ones. The Laos Immigration Services team is always available to support you. We will accompany you during your trip to this fascinating country. Contact us now!