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Laos tourist information with details about travel to and around the country. Where to stay and what to see is made easier with insider tips and hand-selected Laos links, by dedicated editors and visitors to TravelNotes.org - The Online Guide to Travel. Order Laos Travel Brochures - for Free.
In the mid-14th century the Khmer king at Angkor, Jayavarman Paramesvara, married his daughter to a Lao prince, Fa Ngum, and helped him found the independent kingdom of Lan Xang - Million Elephants - with its capital at Muong Swa; present-day Louangphrabang. Countries neighbouring Laos are: Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Myanmar and Thailand.
Fa Ngum, a great warrior, united the Lao principalities and was frequently at war with both the kingdom of Ayutthaya and Annam. His Khmer queen encouraged the Lao to adopt Theravada Buddhism. Vientiane Weather: The capital of Laos is on the Mekong River, almost opposite Nong Khai, Thailand. After the division of the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang into two kingdoms in the late 17th century, Vientiane became the capital of Wieng Chan. When the Siamese seized control of Vientiane Kingdom in 1827, the city was virtually destroyed. A rebuilt Vientiane was made the administrative capital of the newly created state of Laos in 1946. In a capital with very few street signs, directions are given by the way of traffic lights and various wats.
Accommodation in VientianeHotels
in Vientiane: The Lao People's Democratic Republic is a mountainous country with the Mekong River forming its border with Thailand. By RailLaos has no railways. By RoadThe condition of the roads outside of the major towns are appalling, so only those who have to, or enjoy dusty adventures, use them. To travel long distance often means going by truck. The lorry will be carrying anything from rice to petrol, quite likely both, and the passengers sit on top; squeezing in where they can. By AirBecause of the terrain and poor land connections, an internal air service is important in Laos. By BoatThe Mekong river is the main waterway in this landlocked exotic country of less than 5 million inhabitants; as it flows down the entire length of the country. Other smaller rivers such as the Nam Ou, Nam Khan, Nam Ngum in the north, and Se Don in the south all run into the Mekong. Ferries with overnight accommodation are rather basic. For shorter, water trips use the river taxis. Engine-mounted long-tail boats, Thai-made speedboats, and even rowing boats are all available for hire. The official language of Laos is Lao, one of the Sino-Tibetan languages. French is also used in bureaucracy. Numerous ethnic groups have kept their own languages and dialects. Laos has 68 ethnic minorities and some of the most unspoiled countryside in Asia. Discovering Laos: Laos Highlights: Luang Prabang - Laos' Primary Tourist Destination Luang Prabang is a sleepy town in northern Laos, at the confluence of the Mekong River and the Nam Khan. It was the early capital of Lan Xang, between 1353 and 1545. The French were in town from 1893 to 1954, with Luang Prabang again serving as the royal capital of Laos; from 1950 until the country became a republic, in 1975. Luang Prabang: Accommodation in Luang PrabangHotels
in Luang Prabang: Grand Luang Prabang Hotel: Luang Prabang on Video
Laos Travel Diary: Luang
Namtha: Travel in
Laos: Lao Hotel Group: The Boat Landing
Guesthouse: Villa Santi Hotel: When in Laos, make certain to bring a comfortable amount of smaller US
dollar notes, as the local currency is too bulky to carry; given the exchange rates and
denomination of their notes. Laos Travel Guides Books
on Laos Travel:
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