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Mysterious and Wonderful Nature

Laos, the Southeast Asian country with perhaps the best-preserved ecological conditions, boasts some of the most beautiful, divine natural scenery, such as the emerald Kuang Si Falls; the majestic Mount Phousi, or Mountain of Gods, from where you can view both the rivers and the city; or the stunning stalactites of the Tham Xang and Tham Nam caves along the branch of the Namsong River. This epic spectacle of nature is both a source of surprise and delight.The Plain of Jars, a megalithic archaeological landscape, is another special site where you can find stones shaped like jars that vary from 1 to 3 meters in size are scattered throughout the vast plains. It is said that the site was built around 500 BC, but the exact use and composition of these jars has as of yet not been fully understood.

Sacred Encounters Provide Peace of Mind

In Laos, almost 70% of the population are Buddhists, and Lao culture is deeply rooted in Buddhist beliefs. At Pha That Luang, a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the center of Laos’ capital, Vientiane, relics of the Buddha are said to be enshrined. The 44 meter tall golden stupa is regarded as the most important national monument and a national symbol of Laos. Decorated in Laotian national patterns, the people of Laos revere it. Every November, the ‘That Luang Festival’ is held, known as a festival that one must visit at least once in a lifetime.
Another highlight is to observe locals or participate in providing offerings to Buddhist mendicants, a practice carried out every day around temples throughout the country. Observing people sitting in line preparing food for monks as they gather for prayer, enables you to feel the reverence they hold for them. It is important to note that monks pass on some of the food they have received to the poor.

A Variety of Activities

The Vang Vieng area, designated as a national park, is renowned for its mountains, rivers, and numerous caves. There are a variety of activities that people can enjoy in the natural surroundings: ‘tubing’ to explore caves while sitting in a tube and pulling on thick ropes; ‘kayaking’ which is similar to rafting; and ‘ziplining’ which allows you to slide through dense forests attached to nothing but a steel cable.
The highlight among the many activities you can enjoy in Laos is the Blue Lagoon, renowned for being a thousand-year old diving site. A popular subject of media reports, one can dive here from a height of 7 meters thanks to the depth of the lagoon. Travelers come from all over the world to face this thrilling challenge, celebrating and cheering those who succeed in diving. However deep it is, anyone who isn’t a strong swimmer must wear safety gear, and one needs to be careful not to hit any of the other divers.