40 Facts About Laos

Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a socialist country and Southeast Asia's only landlocked country.

Laos is a Southeast Asian country known for its mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements, and Buddhist monasteries.

The capital, Vientiane, is home to the That Luang monument, where a reliquary is said to house the Buddha's breastbone, as well as the Patuxai war memorial and Talat Sao (Morning Market), a complex crammed with food, clothing, and craft stalls.

Laos has 4,000 islands, but no ocean.

It's the location of a mysterious pottery site. Thousands of stone 'jars' dot the landscape of the Xiangkhoang Plateau. Nobody knows what they are, but they date from the Iron Age (500 BC - AD 500) and were most likely used in local burial rituals.

Laos and Thailand share a common language. Thai and Lao are closely related languages, so much so that Lao speakers can understand Thai and vice versa.

Locals fear and respect Nong Fa Lake, a crater lake high in the mountains of southeastern Laos, and refuse to swim in it. According to legend, a man-eating monster lives at the bottom. Nong Fa (which translates to "blue lake" or "sky lake") is extremely remote and can only be reached by the most daring explorers.

Laos' mountains are mineral-rich, and the country has been exploiting its resources since the 11th century. Some of the treasures to be discovered include gold, sapphire, amethyst, aquamarine, marble, slate, rock salt, and granite.

Laos, like Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand, ring in the New Year with a bang. PiMai (new year) celebrations take place from April 13 to 15, and include merit-making, spending time with loved ones, and water blessings in the form of large-scale water fights.

Laos' currency is the kip. While kip can be withdrawn from ATMs, most shops accept Thai baht or even US dollars. If you withdraw kip, keep in mind that it is nearly impossible to convert it back to any other currency once you leave the country.

The Irrawaddy dolphin is a rare but spectacular sight, with rounded noses and upturned mouths that give them a cartoonish adorableness. Pollution and illegal electrofishing are the main threats to the Mekong's remaining 60 species. Conservation efforts are currently underway to assist the villagers in saving their local dolphin population.

Tam Pa Ling (Monkey Cave) in northeastern Laos was the site of some significant discoveries. The cave yielded an ancient skull in 2009, followed by an even older jaw bone (the oldest found in Southeast Asia) the following year. The jawbone, which is at least 46,000 years old, demonstrates that early hominids did not only migrate from Africa along coastlines, but also followed inland rivers.

While Laos is well-known for its sleepy, laid-back atmosphere, this quiet achiever has been steadily growing over the last decade. It is one of the fastest growing economies in East Asia, with an annual GDP growth rate of 7% on average.

Lao silk differs from that of neighbouring countries in that it is entirely hand woven. The weaving process varies from family to family, as do the patterns, making them truly one-of-a-kind. The average production rate is around a metre per day - or a few centimetres for a more intricate weave. Handwoven silk has a more "natural" and unrefined texture than silk made on an industrial loom.

The must-see Vieng Xai Caves, hidden deep in lush jungles and limestone hills, once concealed an entire city. This network of more than 450 limestone caves, a former secret hideout of the communist Pathet Lao, housed over 20,000 people, with homes, markets, schools, barracks, and even hospitals.

The dish, known as kao niaow, is a national treasure that is served with every meal in a small bamboo basket. To eat it, take a small piece with your right hand and roll it into a ball before dipping it into the nearest available sauce. Another interesting fact: sticky rice is gluten free.

All women in Laos wear the traditional long skirt that reaches their ankles. The sinh is a day-to-day garment made of silk and embroidered with intricate patterns, particularly around the hem. You can get your own sinh at local markets.

Laos' jungles are home to a diverse range of wildlife. Tigers (the only ones in Indochina) and other wild animals such as white-cheeked gibbons, sambar deer, leopards, leopard cats, Asian black bears, sun bears, and dhole can be found in the biodiverse Nam Et-Phou Louey National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA) (Asiatic wild dog). A night safari through the park may reveal civets, slow lorises, and deer, but tigers are usually too hidden to be seen.

The Thakhek Loop, a 440-kilometer journey through Thalang and Kong Lor Cave, is ideal for motor scooter enthusiasts. The four-day journey takes you through some truly breathtaking scenery, including towering karst mountains, rice paddies, villagers, and waterfalls, with plenty to marvel at along the way.

You should stop by Kong Lor Caves while on the Thakhek Loop. This cave system conceals a 7.5-kilometer subterranean river, which can be traversed entirely in a small wooden sampan driven by a local boatman familiar with the river's twists and turns. Kong Lor is a beautiful part of Laos that is worth a visit. You don't have to do the loop to see the caves; you can also see them on a leisurely road trip from Vientiane.

This lush elevated region on the Thakhek Loop is characterised by farms, coffee, waterfalls, and jungle-clad mountains. The cooler climes of the Bolaven Plateau, as it is known for growing Arabica beans, are also ideal for escaping the heat of the lowlands. It's where you can see traditional silk and textile weaving in action and get a glimpse of rural village life.

The ancient Vat Phou ruins mark what was once a majestic Khmer temple complex in the verdant plains of Champasak near the Cambodian border. The site, like Angkor Wat, dates from the 11th to the 13th centuries, has an easterly orientation, and consists of several different structures. An intriguing side note: An ancient Chinese text claims that a crocodile-shaped carved stone was the site of human sacrifices.

While ethnic Lao (Lao Lum) make up more than half of the population, Laos is home to more than 60 - some say more than 100 - different ethnic groups. Laos' people are classified according to altitude: 50% live in the lowlands around the Mekong, 20% in the midlands and highlands, and 15% live above 1,000 metres. The remaining 15% are Thais.

If you enjoy watching movies, you'll be pleased to know that Vientiane hosts an international film festival every two years. Workshops, a short film competition, and, of course, film screenings are all part of the event.

If you want to see Laos in pictures, watch The Rocket, an award-winning Australian film that depicts the country's pristine northern mountains as well as local language and customs. The story focuses on the challenges that traditional rural communities face, as well as the Boun Bang Fai rocket festival.

Muay Lao is the name given to Laotian boxing. It is similar to Thai muay Thai, Malaysian tomoi, and Cambodian gun Khmer, which is where Southeast Asian boxing originated (not Thailand, as many believe).

Luang Prabang is an absolute must-see in Laos. The UNESCO-protected ancient city served as the royal capital of the Kingdom of Laos until 1975, when the Pathet Lao party took over following the civil war. The city has preserved its provincial serenity and features beautifully preserved old temples and palaces. Explore the old city, wander the markets, visit the National Museum, and simply soak in the charming atmosphere of this lovely town.

Visit Kuang Si Falls, Tat Sae Waterfalls, and Pak Ou Caves while you're there. Climb Mount Phousi in time to see the sun set over the Mekong for the best views.

Passport holders from Japan, Luxembourg, Russia, South Korea, and Switzerland, as well as Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, and Myanmar, do not need visas to enter Laos. Western visitors can obtain a 30-day visa upon arrival at the border or airport.

The 4,000 islands of Si Phan Don are car-free. Walking and cycling are the most common modes of transportation. They also lack ATMs, so make a stop in Ban Nakasang on the way to withdraw enough cash.

Lao-Lao ('alcohol' plus 'Laos' - emphasis on the second syllable) is the local brew. It is a common rice whisky that is produced locally and cheaply. There is a 'Whiskey Village' in Luang Prabang where you can see various variations of the drink, but it can be found in any market or mom-and-pop shop across the country.

Buddha Park is an oddity on the outskirts of Vientiane. The park, known locally as Xieng Khuan, was built by local mystic and sculptor Bounleua Suliat and contains over 200 stone Buddhist and Hindu statues. The park's concrete sculptures, which are designed in the style of traditional religious artworks from the region, are unique in that many of them tower over visitors. Bounleua moved across the Mekong to the Thai side after the communist Pathet Lao took power, where he built a second Buddha Park in Nong Khai.

Laos is said to be the world's most bombed country (an estimated 260 million cluster bomb submunitions were dropped over the country between 1964 and 1973), with many of them lying undetonated in rural areas. The COPE Museum in Vientiane raises awareness of the plight of unexploded ordnance victims by educating visitors through documentaries and exhibits. You can also make a donation to help with food, rehabilitation, or prosthetics.

Head to Patuxai in the centre for a bird's-eye view of Vientiane. Climb seven floors to the top open-air platforms. Enjoy the views of Lang Xang Avenue and the park, and perhaps even a cool breeze.

You can cruise down it on a luxurious sunset cruise after crossing it via the Friendship Bridge, the old French narrow-gauge railway bridge in Don Det, or the bamboo bridge in Luang Prabang. Choose one that allows you to watch traditional Lao dance performances while floating downstream past breathtaking scenery.

Laos was once known as the "Land of a Million Elephants," but their numbers have dwindled to between 400 and 600 today, with more elephants used in the logging industry than in the wild. Elephant conservation centres, such as the Elephant Conservation Centre in Sainyabuli Province, allow you to spend time with them while learning how to ride, bathe, and feed them ethically.

Baci or su khwan -'calling of the soul' - is one of the most important religious rites in Laos. It is a ceremony that includes prayer, offerings, dance, chants, a feast, wine, and the tying of a white string around the wrist to mark any significant occasion - weddings, births, entering monkhood, and even farewells.

Botanists estimate that Laos has up to 900 endemic orchid species, which can be found all over the country, from lowlands to jungles to high mountain passes. If you're in Vientiane, Phou Khao Khouay National Park, located 40 kilometres from the capital, is one place to see the bloom in the wild. Tad Leuk waterfall, which is most impressive during the rainy season, is the most accessible sight here.

This unpretentious lawn sport is surprisingly popular in Laos. The French introduced it to Laos, and it is still common in parks. Laos won the petanque medals at the Southeast Asian Games in 2013.

There is no bad time to visit Laos. The monsoon season generally lasts from mid-May to October, followed by the dry, cool season from October to March and the hot, dry season from April to early May. Each season has its own benefits and affects each region differently, so decide what you want from your Laos trip before you go so you know the best time of year to visit.