Located in the middle of the Indo-chinese Peninsula lies The People’s Democratic Republic of Laos, the only country in the region that is completely landlocked. It has an area of about 236,800 sq. km., most of its territory is mountainous and covered with dense forests. Meandering among them the Mekong river separates Laos from Burma and Thailand. The local population (6.5 million people) is composed of numerous ethnic groups with distinct cultures and languages. The common language is Lao.

Most of the inhabitants are Buddhists, although many followers, especially among the more remote regions of the country, there is still animism. The history of Laos is the long years of struggle in the search for national identity, but its friendly people welcome travelers.

Laos is a very poor country, but the two most important urban centers, Luang Prabang and Vientiane possess astonishing beauty of sacred architecture. It’s most valuable treasure is it’s untouched nature. Thousands of hectares of still unexplored jungles and mountains gives shelter to the local population, which lives in harmony with nature.

Although this is a communist country, the residents of Laos have a very deep respect for religion. The duty of man is to spend time in a monastery. According to tradition, every morning at sunrise the monks go on a silent journey through the streets of cities to accept food offered by the residents.

The basis of Lao cuisine is sticky rice and fish caught in the Mekong. Very often using a special spice called galangal, a characteristic that clearly distinguishes local dishes from those reported in neighboring countries. The meals are spicy, often serving up fresh vegetables and herbs as a supplement to the main dish, and its sharp spiciness is softened by coconut milk. An interesting fact is that in Laos sweet foods are avoided. Many dishes are prepared in the traditional deep mortar, and then served on a low oval table.

Climate

In Laos climate is tropical, there are two seasons: rainy and dry. Lasting from May to October the rainy season is characterized by very high humidity and a temperature exceeding 30° C, and frequent, very heavy monsoon rainfall, which can make it difficult to move around the country because of impassable flooded and damaged roads. The dry season coincides with the period from October to May, a marked increase in temperature is observed in March. In the dry season it varies from 15° to 40° C. The highest occurs in May and causes a drop in water levels, making it difficult to travel inland due to waterways. It is interesting that in December and January on higher ground in the mountainous north the temperature drops to zero.

Laos is best to visit at the end of the rainy season, but before the temperature becomes too burdensome. The most pleasant weather remains from November to February, when rainfall is low and the temperature moderate. In the mountains it is worth setting out in May or July. At higher altitudes, there is no heat, and in the colder months of the dry season temperatures would be too low. Monsoon rains cause some roads to become impassable, but the raised water level makes it possible to travel by river.

Main Attractions

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is the spiritual capital of Laos. Ancient temples rub shoulders with French colonial buildings. In this small peaceful town, every day long cords of monks clad in saffron robes bask in the glow of the rising sun, wandering in silence. Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered by the rating as one of the most beautiful cities in Southeast Asia.

Near Luang Prabang are Kuang Si waterfalls on both sides carved into a limestone cliff Pak Ou caves, where thousands of gilded statues of the Buddha lie inside.

Vientiane

Among the temples of the capital of Laos attention is given to the great golden That Luang Stupa, whose image appears in the national coat of arms. An interesting place is also Patuxai – Gate of Victory modeled on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Throughout the country there are plenty of villages dotting the countryside of many different colorfully cultured ethnic groups.