The town of Phongsali in Laos is full of charm and culture and has a rich Chinese heritage. It sits at a high altitude of 1,400 meters and is surrounded by a mixture of stunning mountains and deep valleys.
Phongsali is a quaint town with cobbled streets and houses made simply from wood and stone. When the night falls it can get fairly cold and due to the height of the town, the starry skies are fantastic for star gazers and romantics.
Mainly made up from two ethnic groups, the Chinese Ho and Phou Noy, the town oozes appeal and calm with the only sounds coming from the local farm animals, wild birds and gushing fresh water. The rural feel of Phongsali adds to its simplicity and appeal.
Very few travelers make it as far as Phongsali as the journey is tricky, but the interesting streets and roads in the town are lined with some beautiful buildings. The houses are effortlessly decorated with minimal carvings and unfussy paintings in neutral colors, which provide a peaceful ambience through the whole area.
Getting There & Away
By far the easiest way to get to Phongsali is by plane and there are two flights a week from the capital city of Vientiane (1 hour, 40 minutes), where the country’s main international airport is situated. There are also buses but the ride is very bumpy and follows precarious roads. The most scenic way to travel is by boat on the beautiful Nam Ou River from the nearby port at Hat Sa. Fast and slow boats travel to Muang Khua in 2 to 5 hours.
Things to Do
Phongsali Attractions
- Trekking and hiking
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The area’s biggest attraction is the countryside as it is full of hills, rivers and mountains that are best discovered by trekking.
- Hill tribe villages
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Tours and trips provide an interesting insight to the rural ways of life for the simple races that live in the region.
- Phongsali Market
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Well worth a visit to taste some local dishes and witness the chaos of a laotian food market.
- Boat rides on the Nam Ou
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This is a beautiful way of taking in the sights of phongsali and its surrounding landscape.