Laos has recently been in the global spotlight for being featured in the prestigious National Geographic magazine as one of the best places to ‘slow travel’ in 2023. It has also been selected by Wanderlust, UK’s leading independent travel magazine, among the 20 best places to visit in January 2023.
Alongside its surreal natural beauty with mountains and mighty rivers, the country is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites that were awarded this high honor for having “universal value to cultural or natural heritage”. Here are the three places which you absolutely must visit when you are in Laos.
The Town of Luang Prabang: According to the World Heritage Convention at UNESCO Luang Prabang is, “an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries.” Situated next to the Mekong river, the town is incredibly well preserved and is home to majestic temples, caves, and waterfalls as well as a lively night market, contemporary restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
Vat Phou: The Vat Phou temple complex is over a thousand years old and was a part of the Khmer empire that was predominant in Southeast Asia between the 10th and 14th centuries. Built to represent the relationship between humankind and nature, the temple flawlessly blends with its surroundings. It was built using an axis that perfectly aligns the temples, shrines, and waterworks extending over 10 km with Mount Phou Kao and the Mekong river.
The Plain of Jars: Located in northeastern Laos, the Plain of Jars stands on a plateau and gets its name from thousands of tubular-shaped megalithic stone jars used for funerary practices by an unknown civilization. Excavation of the site has turned up stone jar lids, secondary burials, tombstones, quarries, and funerary objects dating from 500 BCE to 500 CE and is one of the most lasting artifacts of the Iron Age in Laos.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/PR1.1.1.jpg11621804Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2022-12-19 02:36:002022-12-12 15:03:13As of 2022, Laos has 3 World Heritage Sites inscribed by UNESCO.
British celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, has named Laos as his top pick among the world’s food destinations.
The 56-year-old chef made the call during an interview with Korean YouTuber Cho Seung-yeon. The two discussed food in the UK and the reputation of British foods, as well as discussing the best places in the world for eating out.
During the interview, Cho asks Ramsay, “Where would you say is the number one foodie destination?”
The celebrity chef responds that Laos would be his top pick, as well as Vietnam and Spain.
“I recently came out of Laos, and going back to the provinces and spending time in the countryside away from the tourist traps, the food was just off the charts,” says Ramsay.
He then speaks of Vietnam as an extraordinary melting pot of great food, noting that exciting things are happening in the food scene of Madrid as well.
“I get to challenge my palate by traveling all over the world,” says Ramsay in the interview, “but Laos. Beautiful.”
When asked about his philosophy on food in 2022, Gordon Ramsay advises viewers to be more appreciative of breaking bread with family, noting that the pandemic has shown us all the importance of family.
Xaysomboun officials hosted a ceremony on Sunday to inaugurate Chao Anouvong Park as the new public park and tourist attraction in the province.
The ceremony saw attendance from the Governor of Xaysomboun province, Mr. Phoykham Houngbounyuang, the Lao President’s wife, Ms. Naly Sisoulith, government officials, including Chairman of the Central Buddhist Association of Laos, Mr. Mahabounma Simmaphom and other monks in the area.
Alongside the inauguration of the park, a statue of King Anouvong was also unveiled to remember his contributions to his country and it added to the natural aesthetic and rich history of the area said Mr. Phoykham.
He also added that Xaysomboun officials have designed the park to serve as a natural, cultural, and historical destination for local and international visitors.
According to Vientiane Times, the park contains a seven-hectare area surrounding the Tham Chao Anouvong cave, which is four kilometers from the seat of the province.
Xaysomboun is a hilly province situated between Vientiane and Xieng Khouang provinces. Even though the surrounding area is largely undeveloped, it is rich in natural resources. The highest mountain in Laos, Phou Bia, is also located in Xaysomboun. New tourist attractions in the area are likely to play a key role in the future development of the area.
Last month, Houaphanh also revealed its Big Fish monument as a new attraction, and also a selfie spot for tourists. According to local officials, the monument symbolizes the necessity to protect aquatic life for future generations.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Chao-Anouvong-statue.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2022-12-14 09:22:002022-12-12 09:24:33Xaysomboun Province Unveils a New Public Park
As of 2022, Laos has 3 World Heritage Sites inscribed by UNESCO.
Laos has recently been in the global spotlight for being featured in the prestigious National Geographic magazine as one of the best places to ‘slow travel’ in 2023. It has also been selected by Wanderlust, UK’s leading independent travel magazine, among the 20 best places to visit in January 2023.
Alongside its surreal natural beauty with mountains and mighty rivers, the country is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites that were awarded this high honor for having “universal value to cultural or natural heritage”. Here are the three places which you absolutely must visit when you are in Laos.
Learn more about Lao culture and places to visit at the Lao Simply Beautiful Facebook Page.
Gordon Ramsay Names Laos as World’s Top Food Destination
British celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, has named Laos as his top pick among the world’s food destinations.
The 56-year-old chef made the call during an interview with Korean YouTuber Cho Seung-yeon. The two discussed food in the UK and the reputation of British foods, as well as discussing the best places in the world for eating out.
During the interview, Cho asks Ramsay, “Where would you say is the number one foodie destination?”
The celebrity chef responds that Laos would be his top pick, as well as Vietnam and Spain.
“I recently came out of Laos, and going back to the provinces and spending time in the countryside away from the tourist traps, the food was just off the charts,” says Ramsay.
He then speaks of Vietnam as an extraordinary melting pot of great food, noting that exciting things are happening in the food scene of Madrid as well.
“I get to challenge my palate by traveling all over the world,” says Ramsay in the interview, “but Laos. Beautiful.”
When asked about his philosophy on food in 2022, Gordon Ramsay advises viewers to be more appreciative of breaking bread with family, noting that the pandemic has shown us all the importance of family.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/12/10/gordon-ramsay-names-laos-as-worlds-top-food-destination/
Xaysomboun Province Unveils a New Public Park
Xaysomboun officials hosted a ceremony on Sunday to inaugurate Chao Anouvong Park as the new public park and tourist attraction in the province.
The ceremony saw attendance from the Governor of Xaysomboun province, Mr. Phoykham Houngbounyuang, the Lao President’s wife, Ms. Naly Sisoulith, government officials, including Chairman of the Central Buddhist Association of Laos, Mr. Mahabounma Simmaphom and other monks in the area.
Alongside the inauguration of the park, a statue of King Anouvong was also unveiled to remember his contributions to his country and it added to the natural aesthetic and rich history of the area said Mr. Phoykham.
He also added that Xaysomboun officials have designed the park to serve as a natural, cultural, and historical destination for local and international visitors.
According to Vientiane Times, the park contains a seven-hectare area surrounding the Tham Chao Anouvong cave, which is four kilometers from the seat of the province.
Xaysomboun is a hilly province situated between Vientiane and Xieng Khouang provinces. Even though the surrounding area is largely undeveloped, it is rich in natural resources. The highest mountain in Laos, Phou Bia, is also located in Xaysomboun. New tourist attractions in the area are likely to play a key role in the future development of the area.
Last month, Houaphanh also revealed its Big Fish monument as a new attraction, and also a selfie spot for tourists. According to local officials, the monument symbolizes the necessity to protect aquatic life for future generations.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2022/12/06/xaysomboun-province-unveils-a-new-public-park/