Things to Do in Laos

A stunning temple that boasts 6,840 Buddha images set in bronze, stone and wood. The Buddha images in the temple (which was famously spared a Siamese attack in 1818 because of its stunning beauty) date from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Although this festival is held all over Laos, the celebrations along the Sebangfai River are particularly impressive. Local craft and agricultural products are traded along the river, but the real attraction is the traditional Lao music and dance.

Dotted across the plain of Xieng Khouang, this remarkable site consists of countless jars of various sizes, the origins of which remain a mystery. There are over 400 separate sites across Xieng Khouang with excavated material believed to date from 500 BC-800 AD.

Tours are generally the best way to view these historical caves, which were the secret living quarters of the Pathet Lao revolutionaries before they came to power. Beginning as a small settlement, by the 1960s it was home to thousands.

Very popular among backpackers, the town of Luang Namtha provides a variety of locally-sourced food unique to the town. The night market – where you'll find the region’s cuisine at its very best – is highly recommended.