Tourism Information about Oudomxay Province Background
Oudomxay is one of the most beautiful places in Laos, located in the upper North. A place where you can experience untouched nature as well as cultural life. Accord-ing to visitors the most friendly people on earth, the most peaceful place in the region. We, Department would like to offer you this site as a first impression on the treasures of Ou-domxay and provide you all the information needed for a pleasant stay. Welcome to Oudomay Province "The Northern city sea of clouds with different hill tribes". Let's discover Oudomxay, The land of the charming nature, livelihood, tradition, cul-ture as well as different ethnic groups. This beautiful region links to Vietnam, China and Thailand. Ouodmxay is now identified as a target trading and investment municipality. In the past 50 years, Oudomxay was only a part of Luangprabang Province. It was upgraded to be another province of Laos in 1960 (19th Century). In 1961, The King of Luangprabang first named the province "Souvanhnaphoum Province". After a fewyears, the name of the province was changed again to "Lan Xang Province". In 1965, it was changed to Meuang Xay Province and then the prov-ince got the final name called "Oudomxay Province" in 1969. The name has been using until today. from the Provincial Information, Culture and Tourism.
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Tranquil, beautiful and sometimes hidden in the clouds, Oudomxay is located in the heart of northern Laos and is one of the most accessible of the far northern provinces. The rug-ged mountainous landscape has peaks up to 1,850 meters covered in varying forest types and wider fields. The province's three main rivers are MeKhong, Nam Park, Nam Beng and Nam Kor. Oudomxay is mainly populated by the Khmu, Hrong and lowland Lao, with a total of 12 ethnic minorities, each with their own languages, cultural heritage and lifestyles.
Oudomxay xay is considered as one province that has lots of potential on trade. It cre-ates lots of interests for both domestic and foreign business investors. The majority of busi-ness activities are agriculture, livestock, and entrepreneurship, investment in different indus-tries like dam, hydro power, mining, rubber tree plantation, crops and others.
business investors are from China, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar as well as some do-mestic investors from different provinces. Moreover, the province is also focusing on tour ism development, marketing and services. The whole income of each year is approximately 10 million US Dollars. The number of tourist visiting Oudomxay each year is around 180,000 people (22% increases each year). Oudomxay is the center of all Northern provinces, so peo-ple always pass through and we do hope that the province is going to be one of the most at-tractive places for people in the future. There are quite many tourist destinations in the province. For instance, Chom Ong Cave "the land of caves", Tadnamkat waterfall - Namkat Yolapa Resort, the Sacred Phachaosingkham temple, Nam Hin Lake, the 600 hundred year old Phouthat stupa in the center of the town "the symbol of Oudomxay" and many more.
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Welcome to Meuang Xay town (also known as Oudomxay) the capital of the multiethnic Province of Oudomxay situated in the Nam Kor basin and surrounded by scenic mountains. The town is formed by small villages at an important point of intersection in Northern Laos. The proximity to China, Vietnam and the multiethnic influence make the dynamic center of Meuang Xay unique from other towns in the region.
However, every corner of the town is full of unique Lao life style and there are many interesting things for you to discover.
- Enjoy the sunset at Phuu Thad Stupa, a place where you can see the whole view of Xaytown.
- Enjoy the sunset at Phuu Thad Stupa, a place where you can see the whole view of Xay town.
- Enjoy the sunset at Phuu Thad Stupa, a place where you can see the whole view of Xay
- Visit the handicraft shop and see how the products are made Make a town tour and see the "secret" life and the multiethnic markets Discover the Nam Kat Waterfall with different tourist activities there
- Visit the Waterfall "Lak 11'
- Enjoy the different restaurants and accommodations
- Discover Chom Ong Cave as well as visiting several Khumu villages on the way to the Cave
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Phuthat Stupa (full name Xaym- oungkhoun Latanamingmeuang Stupa) is the most prominent Vat Phuthat in Oudo- m xay, located on the top of the hill in the center of Meuang Xay town. The stupa was built for all Buddhist followers to celebrate religious festivals and other ceremonies. It is presumed that the stupa was originally built by Thai Leu tribe during the 14th century when the former King Phachao Xaysetha Thirath was still on his throne. Every full moon day the religious celebration is held at the stupa. The stupa's height is 18 meters from the bottom to the top. The dimension of the stupa is 18 m x 18 m. It's recognized as the symbol of Oudomxay Province. Visiting the stupa means you reach Oudomxay.
Sauna and Massage
Traditionally the steam bath is used to alleviate pain. The steam bath personal is experi enced in using traditional herbs which are good for your health. The sauna uses many different herbs in the steam bath and serves herbal tea. All herbs are grown and collected locally. Unlike in Western saunas we do not shower between and after the steam. This gives the herbs a chance to soak into your skin.
Oudomxay Museum is located on top of Phou Sebey in Ban Cheang of Oudomxay town. The name of the mountain comes from the French army camp that was situated there. The French army called the mountain "C.B." - the French pronunciation of this abbreviation fur-ther on transferred into today's Lao name "Sebey"..jpg)
This waterfall "lak sibed" is near the road (50m) to Luang Prabang 11 km from Muang Xay town situated in a provincial protected area. It is a popular excursion and picnic place for Lao people on weekends and holidays. You can visit the waterfall by using the local transpor-tation service (Tuk-Tuk) or rent a bike to go there.
The Km 5 waterfall is situated in Vieng Sa Village, Xay District, Oudomxay Province and about 5 Km from Xay town. People used to call the said waterfall "Houay Xang" as based on the surrounding geography - Houay Xang means Stream with bamboo forest. The name of the waterfall was changed from Houay Xang to Km 5 Waterfall since the site was developed to be as a relaxing place in 2013. The height of the waterfall is 30 meters and there is water all year round, but less water in the dried season. Lots of bamboos can be seen around by the waterfall. It's a famous place for people to relax on weekends. Many bamboo booths were built for visi-tors in a private way around the waterfall and good food are ready for visitors to try. Opening time: every day - 09:00 Am - 18:00 Pm. The Km 5 waterfall is administrated as a private family business.
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ANG NAM HIN is Located in Ban Houay Oun Village, Meuang Xay town, Oudomay Province about 8 Km from Xay town. It's a new tourist attraction and turn into a very famous picnic place for Lao people on wee weekends. There, you can also enjoy fishing, boating and swimming. There are res-taurants there, so you can order food and drinks. The lake gets bigger because of small streams flow down from the surrounding mountains. You can see lots of fishes in the lake. The govern-ment release fingerings (Young fishes) into the lake every year, so it makes the lake become alive. It's one potential tourist destination in Oudomxay and a place where you shouldn't miss.
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Among them are the famous Khamu Temple, Vat Prachao Singkham, hot spring, traditional salt production activities from nearby salt mine throughout the area, and typical Thai Lue ar-chitecture. Meuang La can also serve as the starting point for impressive excursions to remote ethnic and cultural villages nestled among rice fields, forests and mountains. On the way to Meuang La, you will have an opportunity to stop for an agreeable 2-hour walk to Singkham Buddha Cave and to visit the Khamu village Samakhisay.
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Activities you can do by yourself in Meuang La
- Walk around the town to see and discover the local life.
- Walk to the sacred Phachaosingkham Buddha temple.
- Visit the hot spring and soke your foot there to relax.
- Take a short walk to Ban Vangvan and Ban Bouamsom (khumu minority village) to explore the real life of Khamu people only 1 km away from M. La town.
- Take a walk, drive and ride (Car & motorcycle) to Ban Phavie or Ban Tanongpor village where you can do your
- homestay - Khamu style and experience the real nature
Phachaosingkham Buddha Temple is in Meuang La Disrtict, around 28 Km from Xay town on the direction to Phongsaly. It's a sacred and famous temple in Oudomxay or we can say even in Laos. The temple was built more than 2,000 years ago. It used to be a very small temple in the past. People from different places go there almost everyday just for their own religious purpose. According to people's view - the most sacred temple. If you want to find out more about the temple we would suggest you to visit it just to see the real situation there. A place where you should not miss. You will get what you ask for.
Meuang La Hot Spring (Hot water source)
Meuang La Hot Spring (Hot water source) is just behind the Meuang La Resort. The people there use this hot spring water for taking a bath in winter time instead of buying or using water heater as one way to reduce expenses. The temperature in the howater is approximately 40 - 50 degrees.
Akha ethnic group in Ban Aa No Villge
Aa No is the name of the leader who led his people (40 families) to Laos and the village was named Aa No after he passed away. The village's population continued to increase, including through migration of Akha people from other places. Aa No Village is situated in the Northeast of La District (Meuang La), about 32.5 km from Meuang La. Access to the village is possible all year round, but it's quite hard during the raining season. There, you can experience more about their traditional culture, daily lifestyle, and many more things in the village.
It's extremely a very interesting place for people to discover such tribe, especially during the Akha New Year celebration on February of every year.
The paradise mountain (Buddha footprint Temple)
The key point of this area is because of the three sacred Buddha footprints which discovered by a local man for many years ago. People in the area always believe that such footprints are sacred. In 2004, the village decided to develop the area as a religious place for worship and afterward many different Buddha statues and animals were built around the area. It's now extremely famous for all Buddhist believers in the province as well as other people from different places.
Phavie Village
Ban Phavie is located about 12 Km from Meuang La town. The area is famous for trek-king and Homestay The main people's economic activity is farming.
They raise their income by planting rice and corn and Bean as well as collecting natural resources for selling. Ban Phavie was selected to be an eco tourism destination. The objective was to provide additional income and development to the village from services provided to Tourists. These services are accommodation, food and local guiding plus handicraft.
Ban Tanongpor
Ban Tanongpor is another attractive Khamu village, located in Meuang La district (17 Km from Xay town and 11 Km from Meuang La). Farming is the main income source for all Tanongpor residents.
Ban Tanongpor is also an eco tourism destination and famous for trekking and village life experience. Tourists can also join family's activities in the evening time like chicken and pig feeding, rice cooking, rice milling and other possible stuff.
Beng is a small district, is on the direction to Pakbeng and situated between Xay and Houn town, approximately 65 Kilometers from Xay town. The district covers an area of 2,388 Square Kilometers, 80% is mountainous and lowland is 20 %. There are 6,745 households, the total population number is 37,615 female is 18,659. The existing tribes in the district are Thai Lue, Yang, Tai, Khummu and Hmong. The most famous cultural tourism target village is Ban Nyor an old Thai Lue Village. It's famous for textile weaving, cotton processing, pottery pro-duction, basketry and homestay. Most tourists are interested in these kinds of existing activi-ties. Mostly, they are from travel agencies. The village is advertised through different tourism companies and it's now well-known and become one of the most interesting tourist destina-tions in Oudomxay Province, particularly in beng District. Furthermore, there are still some unexplored natural attractions. All these things are going to be done soon in the near future.
- Walk around the town to see what people do in their daily life.
- Visit Namchea waterfall one of the beautiful tourist attraction.
- Take a short walk around Meuang Beng town to explore the real life of people there.
- Take a walk, drive and ride (Car & motorcycle) to Ban Nyor village where you can do your homestay and experience the real Tai lue culture.
These are their cash income generating activities. Moreover, their traditional food, Thai Lue homestay, traditional show and Baci ceremony are the most enjoyable things that you can share together with them (at least once in a life time).
Let's discover this Ban Nyor village, situated 57 Km from Xay Town on the road to Pa-kbeng in the economic corridor between China in the North, Vietnam in the East and Thai-land in the West. This unique location provides lots of economic as well as touristic opportunities.
The activities mentioned above here are recognized as cash income generating sources for them. Pottery production: Pottery has a long history in Northern Laos, and for centuries people have produced bowls and jars. All pottery is handmade, in former time the pottery was just produced for family use, but with the increase of tourism the product range was expanded several new products including flower vases, candlesticks, decorated bowls and jars with dif-ferent sizes based on the market demand.
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