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Laos Country Highlights
 The rural Buddhist lifestyle of Laotians is one of the country's greatest appeals to visitors. Similarly, the lush forests, elegant temples, and ethnic hilltribes all contribute to the hypnotic charms of Laos. Many choose to combine a visit to Laos with a trip to another part of Indochina. You may choose to spend an extended period exploring all that Laos has to offer.
The relaxed capital city of Vientiane presents the visitor with a mixture of influences and styles. With a population of only 150,000, tree-lined boulevards and the Mekong take a central place in the city. Vientiane is a refreshing change after the other, more chaotic capital cities of Indochina. Wat Sisaket is believed to be the oldest temple in the city; all older wats were destroyed when the Thais invaded in 1827. Built in 1818, it displays Thai influences, and is famed for the thousands of Buddha images set into niches in its cloister walls.  Elaborate but fading murals in the main hall illustrate the Jataka tales. Wat Pra Keo Museum houses an excellent collection of 17-th & 18-th century statuary, as well as a collection of Burmese, Indian and Khmer - style carvings. The city's most sacred shrine, That Luang, is a tremendous stupa built over 400 years ago, and the most sacred shrine in Laos. The annual That Luang festival in November sees the stupa as the center of activities, candle-lit processions, and entertainment. The area around the Presidential Palace consists of many colonial villas, in various states of repair. Patuxai looks uncannily like Paris' Arc De Triomphe; on closer examination, typically Laotian features stand out clearly. Xieng Khuan, also known as Buddha Park, consists of an eclectic array of Buddhist and Hindu statuary in a meadow near the Mekong River, on the outskirts of town. The Morning Market offers weavings, Lao cotton, ceramics, and curios such as Soviet cameras and jars of herbal medicines.
 The ancient Royal Capital of Luang Prabang has a wide range of official attractions, in its wats and palaces, yet many find the most appealing features of this town to be its gorgeous setting by the junction of the Mekong and Khan rivers, and its unhurried pace. The site of local kingdoms since the 14-th century, the city has elaborate festivals throughout the year. The city's temples display an architectural style clearly influenced by Northern Thailand, with low, sweeping eaves. A unique feature is the elaborate gold relief on the doors and outer walls. Start your tour with a visit to Mount Phousi, covered with small wats, and providing panoramic views of the city and the Mekong. The Palace Museum was built at the turn of the century, and displays an intentional mix of Lao and French architectural styles, said to represent the link between the two countries. Gifts to Lao kings are on display, including a piece of moon rock given by President Nixon in 1972. There is also a fine collection of Lao artifacts, mosaics, and statues. The magnificent Wat Xieng Thong is gloriously decorated with mosaics and classic Luang Prabang style sweeping roofs. This was the royal wat for four centuries, and the patronage resulted in the breathtaking craftsmanship still seen today. Wat Visoun, the oldest in the city, features a 35 metre high Lotus stupa, and a lovely collection of Buddha statues - many in the traditional Lao style of "Calling for Rain". Visit That Luang market, to see local people shopping for produce, and Dara Market for silver and textiles. A favorite excursion from Luang Prabang is a boat ride to the Pak Ou caves. The journey takes you up the Mekong to a series of caves filled with Buddha statues.
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