Things to do in Laos

As a landlocked country, Laos is like a "Lost Paradise" with dense primeval forests, mysterious underground caves, antique temples and friendly people, where everything is pristine and intoxicating.
 1. Pha That Luang, Vientiane 
Situated in northwest of Vientiane, Pha That Luang is the most important national monument in the country and a symbol of Buddhism. It has undergone several reconstructions because of foreign invasions. The existing Pha That Luang is a complex of brick-built gold stupas. The main stupa consists of three levels, symbolizing the three realms in Buddhism, around which there are thirty small stupas.
Admission fee: 5,000 Kip
Opening hours: 8:00-12:00 & 13:00-16:00 from Tuesday to Sunday

2. Patuxay, Vientiane
As a historical site in the city center, Patuxay is a large war monument, 45 meters (148 feet) high and 24 meters (79 feet) wide. Originally, it was built to commemorate those who died in war, but it became a symbol of Laos' liberation in 1975. The Patuxay Monument is similar to Arch of Triumph in France with arched doors on all sides. However, it is Lao style in design, decorated with mythological creatures and exquisite carvings.
Ticket for ascending the top: 10,000 Kip
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00

3. Wat Sisaket, Vientiane 
Wat Sisaket is one of the points of interest in Vientiane. Originally built in 1818, the temple takes Siam architectural style on a whole, with partial structures combining Lao and Burmese styles. It survived the war in 1829, but most cultural relics inside were lost, with only a grand Buddha statue, two bronze Buddha statues, and 120 tiny statues left, presenting the prosperous Lao culture and art in the 19th century.
Admission fee: 5,000 Kip
Opening hours: 8:00-12:00 & 13:00-16:00, closed on public holidays

4. Haw Phra Kaew, Vientiane
It was originally built in 1565 as a royal temple to enshrine and worship Emerald Buddha from Luang Prabang. The Buddha was transferred to Bangkok in 1778 and the temple was destroyed in 1828. The existing temple was constructed in 1936 and recognized as national cultural relic museum in 1987, where many treasures such as gold throne, exquisite Khmer sculptures, wood carvings and a variety of Buddha statues are displayed.
Admission fee: 2,000 Kip
Opening hours: 8:00-11:30 & 14:30-16:30 from Tuesday to Sunday

5. Royal Palace Museum, Luang Prabang 
It is usually the first stop for travelers and one of the highlights of Luang Prabang. It was originally built in 1904 as the residence for the king and his family at the Mekong riverside, magnificent with elegant and luxury decorations. In 1975, it became a museum. Nowadays, the royal members are gone, but the former audience hall, meeting room, and collection room are well-preserved.
Admission fee: 30,000 Kip
Opening hours: 8:00-11:30 & 14:00-16:00, closed on Tuesday

6. Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang 
It's known as the most beautiful ancient temple in Luang Prabang. The most attractive mosaic in the temple is the "tree of life" made by stained glass on the rear wall of the main hall. A rare reclining Buddha is displayed in the Red Chapel next to the main hall. One of the most unmissable exhibits is a 12-meter-high (39-feet-high) hearse in a funeral hall with a golden dragon head and a golden urn for containing royal ashes.
Admission fee: 20,000 Kip
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00

7. Mount Phousi, Luang Prabang
It's a holy mountain with That Chomsi Stupa on the summit. As legends go, the immortals stood on the stupa to create Luang Prabang. The stupa is also the starting point for parading procession on Lao New Year. You can rest and pray at several temples along the way. From the summit, you can enjoy a panorama of Luang Prabang and appreciate the sun rise and set.
Admission fee: 20,000 Kip
Opening hours: 8:00-18:00

8. Alms Giving Ceremony, Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is the best place to see one of the holiest Lao traditions, the Alms Giving Ceremony, which lasts for thousands of years. The ceremony takes place at six in the morning, where a long line of barefooted monks in yellow robes walk on the main streets to accept the offerings of believers who kneel down on the ground. The believers devoutly put sticky rice, fresh fruit or other gifts into the monk's alms bowl until the last monk walks through.

9. Tham Phu Kham, Vang Vieng 
Tham Phu Kham Cave features the "Blue Lagoon" which runs through the whole cave. A bronze recumbent Buddha is set in the master cave, making the place a sacred site. You should prepare a flashlight by yourself. If you want to bring some electronic products, be careful enough to avoid them dropping into the lagoon.
Admission fee: 10,000 Kip
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00

10. Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands), Champasak Province 
It fully presents the natural beauty, where thousands of small islands are dotted in the Mekong River. The number of islands changes according to the water volume of Mekong River in rainy and dry seasons. Tourists can move through numerous islands by yacht, appreciating the scenery of dancing palm leaves and sparse houses on the banks of Mekong River.Lao most favorite staple food is sticky rice. The dishes usually taste sour, spicy and raw. The typical dishes and drink are special hot pot, Mekong weed crackers, laap, vegetarian buffet and Beer Lao.

Tourists can eat boiled and roast meat and vegetables at the same time. Taking a bite of roast meat with a bottle of beer will make you feel great.

Mekong weed crackers, known as Khai Paen locally, is a popular snack made of fried seaweed and with sesame seeds peppered above. It is extremely tasty when mixed together with lemon grass, peanuts, and sauces.

Laap is a kind of meat salad which often uses fish, pork, chicken and beef as the ingredients. Chili, coriander, tomato, lemon, onion, garlic, salt and fish sauce are adopted for seasoning. Laap can be eaten raw, half cooked and well cooked, so visitors can make choices by personal favor.

Vegetarian Buffet is in the night market. The price is 10,000 kip per person with extra charge for meat. You can only fetch the food once.
You can ride a bike on a quiet road or ride an elephant in jungles. In Luang Prabang and Pakse, you can go hiking to explore the primeval forest. Water activities are popular, such as riding a kayak in turbulent flow or a rubber raft downstream. Jumping from the waterfall is the most exciting activity for tourists, especially in hot summer days. Of course, safety is the priority of all these activities.