Laos Overview

Laos overview can help you have a more comprehensive understanding of Laos from the basic information, geographical location, climate and so on.

Basic Information

  • Chinese Name: 老挝
  • Location: Southeast Asia
  • Administrative Category: Country
  • Capital: Vientiane
  • Area: 236,800 square kilometers
  • Population: A population of 7,338,000 in 2021
  • Mian Ethnic Group: Lao Loum, Lao Sung, Lao Theung
  • Main Religion: Hinayana Buddhism
  • Main Airport: Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang Airport, Pakse International Airport
  • Top University: National University of Laos
  • Important Festival and Activities: Lao New Year (also known as "Songkran Festival" or "Water-splashing Festival").
  • Main Railway Station: Vientiane Railway Station, Luang Prabang Railway Station, Vang Vieng Railway Station
  • Famous Attractions: Pha That Luang in vientiane, Si Phan Don(Four Thousand Island),  Wat Xieng ThongMount PhousiKuang Si Falls, Buddha Park, Luang Prabang Night Market, Lao National Museum, Vientiane Night Market, Moring Markets in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, etc.

Geography

Laos is the only landlocked country in the northern part of the South Central Peninsula, bordered by China to the north, Cambodia to the south, Vietnam to the east, Myanmar to the northwest and Thailand to the southwest. The Mekong River flows through more than 1,800 kilometers, and the country covers 236,830 square kilometers.

Laos has a high topography in the north and a low topography in the south. In the north, it borders the western Yunnan plateau of China; in the east, the Lao and Vietnam borders are plateaus formed by the Truong Son mountain range; in the west, the Mekong valley and the basins and small plains along the Mekong River and its tributaries. The Chuang Khouang plateau is 2,000 to 2,800 meters above sea level. The highest peak, Mount Biya, is 2,820 meters above sea level.

Climate

Laos has a tropical and subtropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons, the rainy season from May to October and the dry season from November to April. The average annual temperature is about 26°C. Laos has abundant rainfall throughout the country, with about 2,000mm of precipitation in a typical year, 1,250mm in the year with the least annual precipitation, and 3,750mm in the year with the most annual precipitation.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season, from November to February, is the best time to visit. During this time, the temperature is pleasant and rainfall is low. It is also a prime time for outdoor activities.

Administrative Divisions

Laos has 17 provinces and one municipality. Vientiane, the capital, is the political, economic, cultural and scientific center of the country. Other major economic centers include Luang Prabang in the north, Savannakhet in the middle and Pakse in Champasak in the south.

Culture

  • Language: There are 49 ethnic groups in Laos, roughly divided into four major language groups: Lao-Thai (about 60% of the country's population), Mon-Khmer, Sino-Tibetan and Miao-Yao. The official language is Lao, English is becoming popular, and some people speak French.
  • Religion: Most Lao nationals practice Hinayana Buddhism, which was established as the state religion in the 1961 Constitution of Laos and is practiced by 65% of the Lao people. Its main taboos are also related to Buddhism.

Transportation

Transportation resources in Laos are scarce, and despite the increasing number of domestic flights and newly completed roads, it still takes time to get around the various regions. Roads are the main transportation system in Laos. Luang Prabang and Vientiane downtowns, which have a high concentration of attractions, are small enough to be explored on foot, while those a little further away can only be explored by renting a bicycle or taking a Tuktuk. The Mekong River between Luang Prabang in the north and Savannakhet in the south is navigable all year round.

On December 03, 2021, China-Laos Railway had been put into traffic, which makes travel to/in Laos more convenient, and promotes the development of tourism economy.

More about Laos Transportation

Famous Attractions

Travelers to Laos will find endless UNESCO World Heritage sites to discover, beautiful old towns, stunning natural landscapes, lots of adventure and outdoor activities to keep everybody busy, as well as a unique window into many diverse ethnic arts and cultures. Here below several famous attractions are introduced:

  • Wat Xieng Thong: Built in 1560 and was a private property of the royal family until 1975, Wat Xieng Thong is a distillation of the ancient temple architecture of Luang Prabang and is one of the most important sites for the celebration of Lao New Year. The temple's eight pillars are beautifully carved in gold, and the jewel-encrusted Tree of Life on the back wall is magnificent.
  • Wat Xieng Khuan: Wat Xieng Khuan(Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas): Wat Xieng Khuan, also known as Buddha Park, is located 25 kilometers southeast of Vientiane. The more than 200 sculptures in the park are said to be the work of a Lao monk who studied Hinduism and Buddhism independently. Although all are modern steel and concrete works, the shapes are unique. One of the famous sculptures is divided into three levels, representing the three spaces of hell, earth and heaven, where visitors can enter through a 3-meter-high demon's head and climb from hell to heaven.
  • Kuang Si Falls: Located 30 kilometers south of Luang Prabang, is a multi-layered and wide waterfall group. The waterfall has a maximum drop of 100 meters, and the scenic area is lush with vegetation and winding paths. The three-tiered waterfall pours down to form several pools with a blue-green sheen, where many locals and foreigners play in the water and have a good time.
  • Mount Phousi, 100 meters high, is located in the heart of Luang Prabang's old town, guarded on both sides by the Mekong and Nam Kan rivers respectively. The mountain is a religious sanctuary for the whole city, with several temples scattered across the mountain, which visitors can discover on their way up the mountain. Wat Pa Huak, located low on the north slope near the Royal Palace Museum, has exquisitely carved wooden frames, and the temple still has relatively intact original 19th century murals. That Chomsi is the highest point on the mountain and the starting point for the annual Lao New Year parade.
    In addition, Mount Phousi is the high point of Luang Prabang's old town, many tourists choose it as a sunrise and sunset viewing point. The sunrise and sunset viewing point is across the road from the Royal Palace, and there is no need to pay the entrance fee for the temple.
  • Royal Palace Museum: Built in 1904, Royal Palace Museumis located in the center of the city and was initially the bedchamber of King Sisavong, and then of successive kings until 1975, when the monarchy was abolished and the palace was transformed into the Royal Palace Museum. The museum's architectural style combines Lao classical charm and French sentiment, in the shape of a cross, built on a multi-story platform, is a grand palace. The entire palace is gilded and glorious, and its interior is decorated with ancient elegance and splendor. The first thing you will see when you enter the main entrance is the statue of King Sisavang Vong, followed by a golden Buddha, which was a precious gift from the Khmer kingdom to Phraang, the founding king of Lancang in 1356, and was named "Prabang", from which the city of Luang Prabang got its name.
  • Laos Triumphal Arch, known as Patuxay in English, is 45 meters high and 24 meters wide, located in the center of Vientiane, near the Prime Minister's residence, and facing the President's residence. Construction began in 1960 and was largely completed in 1969. Originally built as a memorial to those who died in the war, it was called the Triumphal Arch in commemoration of the historic event when the masses of Vientiane passed through it in a victory parade at the time of liberation in 1975.

More about Laos Attractions

Natural Resources

Biological Resources

Laos has a forest area of about 17 million hectares, with a national forest coverage of about 50%, producing valuable timber such as teakwood, santos rose wood and rosewood.

Water Resourses

Laos is one of the countries with the most abundant hydropower reserves in Southeast Asia. More than 60% of the Mekong River's hydro energy reserves are in Laos, and there are more than 20 rivers over 200 km across the country.

Mineral Resources

The mineral resources of Laos are mostly unexplored. It belongs to the extension of China's Three Rivers mineralization belt, with more than 20 kinds of minerals such as gold, copper, tin, lead, potassium, iron, gypsum, coal, salt and so on. The national tin reserves are about 65,000 to 80,000 tons. So far, tin, gypsum, potassium, salt, coal, etc. have been mined in small quantities.

There are three known coal production areas in Laos, namely Sarabhan in the south, northwest of Vientiane in the middle and Phongsaly in the north. The geological and mineral investigation in Laos is less, and the exploitation of mineral resources is scarce, basically belonging to one of the unexplored areas in the world.

Keep Reading