Asia

Sabai dee and welcome to this guide to Travel in Laos. Laos is a small country in South-East Asia, somewhat overshadowed by its neighbours Thailand and Cambodia, which has managed to develop without becoming tourism-dependent. This doesn’t in any way mean that it’s not worth visiting! Picture a landscape of rice paddies as far as the eye can see, where it’s not unusual to see water buffalo working the land. It’s a country where the beauty of the stormy skies mingles perfectly with the waters of the rivers. The people are unbelievably kind. Buddhism is omnipresent and governs every stage of life. It’s a country where you can switch off from normal life, chill out, take your time and just listen to the rice grow. It’s a country that’s simply a delight to travel in. You’re not imagining it: a stay in Laos is an exquisite and timeless experience. You will be charmed by the sublime Luang Prabang. The former capital houses magnificent temples and monasteries, interspersed with a wonderful natural landscape of hills and the waters of the Mekong. The Mekong, or ‘mother of water’ is sure to be the common thread that runs through your trip to Laos, as you follow its winding course by bus, by car and above all by boat, one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the ancient kingdom of a million elephants…

Laos

Xiengkhouang

Being on the other side of the Mekong than Pakse, it's a great departure point if you're heading to Wat Phou Champassak. The village itself is not void of interest, and you'll be enchanted by a short stay here.

Champassak

Khong

Khouangsy

Muang Sing is a pretty village miles from anywhere, about 2 hours from Luang Nam Tha and lost in the countryside of northern Laos. 

Muang Sing

Kazakhstan

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Middle East

Oceania

My trip to Muang Sing is one of my favourite memories of my <a href="/laos/">trip to Laos</a>. I came to this remote region of Laos to go trekking in the surrounding countryside and meet local ethnic minorities. A very few agencies offer an excursion for $100 per person. Luckily I've tested it for you and I have a much more economical alternative. While I was asking for information I remembered the names of the villages they mentioned and then I rented a bike for $1. Say "thank you". The next day I made a detour to the village's really authentic market. About a dozen different ethnic groups sell their products there every morning. The market is very colourful and paradise for photographers. Apparently there is opium for sale on some stalls. I didn't see any, but be careful. There are police even in these remote areas and Laotian jails are not known for their comfort. As to the cycle ride, in one word "marvellous"! I cycled down little paths between fields, and crossed pretty rivers in the middle of enchanting scenery. I was warmly welcomed in the villages. I cycled part of the way with two monks, a fisherman invited me to eat with his family, I warbled in a classroom and I danced the night away at a wedding! I had an unforgettable stay in Muang Sing.

Muang Sing is a pretty village miles from anywhere, about 2 hours from Luang Nam Tha and lost in the countryside of northern Laos.

I stayed a Luang Namtha with a travel buddy and we hired a motorbike for the day so that we could head to Muang Sing, a village in the north of the country by the Chinese border. We had a great day even though the road was a perilous trail of potholes and bumps... We zigzagged our way along mountain roads, stopping by a river and in villages along the Muang Sing road... The locals were curious and welcoming, albeit wary. The Chinese mountains that border the Laotian plains are stunning, , even though the border is guarded by Kalachnikov bearing officials. It took us a while to find somewhere to eat in Muang Sing. It's a deserted place and the locals were wary and unsmiling. 45km between Luang Namtha and Muang Sing - but it took 3 hours to get there... The plus side: stopping along the road to admire the landscape and meeting residents of local villages The downside: the town's not welcoming; don't bother staying over.

A Laotian village on the Chinese border, Muang Sing is surrounded by beautiful mountains and plains, as well as traditional, ethnic villages.

Muang Sing Vacations

Muang Sing: How to get there?

Muang Sing: See when to go ?

Muang Sing: For how long?

Muang Sing: What to see nearby?