Luang Prabang at dawn. Wake early and watch hundreds of monks in saffron robes walk through town collecting alms from kneeling locals. This daily ritual has been going on for centuries and remains one of the most moving sights in Southeast Asia. Afterwards, wander the morning market where women sell fresh baguettes, river weed, and buffalo skin.
Kuang Si Falls. About 30 kilometres south of Luang Prabang, these cascading turquoise pools are as beautiful as every photograph suggests. You can swim in the lower pools, climb to the top of the main falls, and visit the bear rescue centre near the entrance. Go early or late to avoid the midday crowds.
The Plain of Jars. Hundreds of enormous stone jars, some over two metres tall, are scattered across the plateau near Phonsavan. Nobody knows exactly why they were made -- theories range from burial urns to rice wine storage. The area was also one of the most heavily bombed places on earth during the American secret war, and UXO clearance continues to this day.
Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands). In the far south near the Cambodian border, the Mekong widens into a maze of islands, rapids and waterfalls. Don Det and Don Khone are the main traveler bases -- hammock-strung islands where you can rent a bicycle, watch spectacular sunsets, and spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins in the channels between the islands.
The Laos-China Railway. Opened in December 2021, this modern rail line connects Vientiane to the Chinese border via Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. The Vientiane to Luang Prabang stretch takes just two hours through dramatic mountain scenery -- a journey that used to take ten hours by bus. Tickets are cheap and trains run several times daily.
Wat Phu. This pre-Angkorian temple complex near Pakse predates Angkor Wat by several centuries. Set against a forested hillside in Champasak, it is smaller and quieter than its famous Cambodian cousin, but atmospheric and rewarding. The UNESCO-listed site is best visited as a day trip from Pakse.
Slow boat on the Mekong. The two-day journey from Huay Xai on the Thai border down to Luang Prabang remains one of Southeast Asia's classic river trips. You drift past limestone cliffs, tiny villages, and jungle-covered mountains, overnighting in the riverside town of Pak Beng.