Discover Laos in 30 photos

Explore Laos in photos thanks to a 30-image slideshow: Visit a country of stunning scenery, from Luang Prabang to Vientiane via the Mekong coast.

Pagode de Luang Prabang

The pagoda on the grounds of the former royal palace in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang’s charm lies in the serenity and slow rhythm of daily life.

Temple at Vat Xieng Thong

Built by King Setthathirat in the mid-16th century, the Vat Xieng Thong temple (Luang Prabang) is one of the most famous temples in Laos.

Franco-Siamese Treaty

Memories of the Franco-Siamese treaty in 1893 recognizing the French protectorate over Laos.

residence of the prince

Prince Souvannaphoum’s former residence (in Luang Prabang) has been converted into a lovely hotel.

offers

At the entrance to the temples, orange flowers are offered, often with millet affixed to curled banana leaves.

typical market

Different varieties of rice noodles served in banana leaves at the market.

Mekong

Morning fog on the Mekong makes boats look like ghost ships.

Pak Ou Cave

High above the Mekong, about thirty kilometers from Luang Prabang, there are thousands of Buddha statues in Pak Ou cave.

Thank you to the ritual bat

Priests perform a tak bat (morning quest) ritual in the streets of Luang Prabang every day before sunrise.

holy lake

At the foot of the sacred lake Wat Phou (Champasak).

High school students on the Mekong

In the morning and evening, the youngsters cross the Mekong by boat to attend the high school on the opposite shore.

Khone Falls

Close to the Cambodia-Laos border, the Khone Falls (21 meters) separate the two main areas of the Mekong.

gourmet market

Fish, cured meat and chicken skewers, which are eaten with noodles or seaweed in the markets, are eaten with fried insects for gourmets.

Bolaven Plateau

The recently harvested coffees on the Bolovenian plateau in the southeast of the country are sun-dried before being roasted.

ethnic village

Town hall where public meetings are held, in the center of an “ethnic” village in the heart of the Bolavens.

Tad Lo Waterfall

The Boloven plateau is a paradise for swimming. Here, Tad Lo waterfall.

Kingdom of a Million Elephants

Until the end of the 19th century, Laos was called Lane Xang, that is, the Kingdom of a million elephants.

Cascade of Tad Champee

Tad Champee waterfall in the middle of the forest.

Giant Buddha in Ban Saphai

A giant 20-metre Buddha near the weaving village of Ban Saphai, north of Pakse.

paddy fields

Rice fields in the swamps of Ban Khiet Ngong village, south of Pakse.

Statue of King Anouvong

In November 2010, a statue of King Anouvong, a symbol of resistance to invaders, was unveiled on the left bank of the Mekong (Vientiane).

Wat Ong Teu Temple

Detail of the roof of Wat Ong Teu temple (Vientiane).

Temple Wat Si Saket

Wat Si Saket is the oldest temple in Vientiane. The monastery’s walls are made up of niches with around 2000 Buddha statues.

Luang Statue

The holiest monument in Laos, a central figure in the identity of the Lao people, is the stupa of Luang (Vientiane) believed to contain a relic of the Buddha.

temple modern

The modern temple next to That Luang (Vientiane).

transfer

Herb stall in Talat Khua Din market (Vientiane).

Buddha footprint

Just before the Dane Soung caves (north-west of Vientiane), Buddha’s foot print is etched into the concrete!

Buddha Park

Twenty kilometers south of Vientiane, “Buddha Park” contains more than a hundred amazing sculptures made from brick and concrete in the 1950s.

Buddha in Buddha Park

“Buddha Park” in Vientiane resembles postman Cheval’s “Ideal Palace”. The main piece of this garden: a reclining Buddha more than 20 meters long.

ready to go?

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source photos: © Daniel W. (2010)