Laos: A Bite-sized Beauty

A breeze even for the solo backpacker, Laos should be Southeast Asia’s welcoming station.

While it lacks the highs of the greater region — Thailand’s cuisine, Cambodia’s temples, Vietnam’s coast and Myanmar’s authenticity — Laos has its own understated, accessible beauty and culture.

Explore by bicycle, motorbike, boat or bus, from the mountainous northern jungles to the South’s 4,000 Islands. Marvel at the romantic French facades juxtaposed with lively Asian street markets.

Instead of colorful curries or fresh pho, you’ll soon be craving bamboo stalks filled with sticky rice or maybe a shot of laos-laos whiskey (or not).

Wat Phu Temple, Champasak, Laos

Three-day, buddhist full moon festival

Luang Prabang

Nong Khiaw, river village

Near Muan Khua, about to get on boat

Homestay, hiking in northern Laos

Beach on Don Det

Wat Phu

Champasak

Wat Phu Temple

Near Muang Khua

Ferry to Don Det

Northern Laos

River trip to Nong Khiaw

Temple in Champasak

Wat Phu Ruins

Three-day trek in northern Laos

Wat Phu Temple, family visits for the festival

Don Khon, Liphi Falls

Wat Phu Temple

Temple holy water

Wat Phu Temple

Thakhek

Nong Khiaw

Nong Khiaw

Nong Khiaw

Luang Nam Tha

Muang Ngoi Neua

Muan Ngoi Neua

Mekong sunset

Don Det Island

Champasak, Laos

Cooking rice on trek in northern Laos

Buddhist full moon festival