The Plain of Jars is a fascinating archaeological site, named for the thousands of scattered stone jars found across the plain and the low hills of the highland valleys. These stone jars date back to the Iron Age (circa 500 BC to 500 AD). Some are clustered together, while others stand alone, making this one of the most important sites for studying the prehistoric human...
Tham Ting Cave is located about 25 kilometers from Luang Prabang and consists of a series of caves on the left bank of the Mekong River, divided into upper and lower levels. It is world-renowned for its miniature Buddha carvings. These carvings depict Buddhas in various poses—reclining, meditating, preaching the Dharma, and more—each with unique expressions and postures. Hence, the cave is also known as the "Cave of a Thousand Buddhas." It...
The Bolaven Plateau is a highland in southern Laos, with an elevation of 1,000 to 1,350 meters. It lies within the provinces of Champasak, Attapeu, and Saravane, nestled between the Mekong River and the southwestern foothills of the Annamite Mountain…
In 1936, French geologist Josué Heilman Hoffet was studying the geological formations of the Lao lowlands when he discovered, 120 kilometers from Savannakhet, some fossilized bone deposits including a dinosaur’s thigh bone and…
Wat Xieng Thong was built in 1560 at the northern tip of the Luang Prabang Peninsula as a Buddhist temple by King Setthathirath. Like many other royal palaces, Wat Xieng Thong is also located near the Mekong River and is the most magnificent and representative…
Savannakhet is a leisurely and tropical small town, serving as a key transit point between Vietnam’s Lao Bao border and Laos. It’s worth spending a day here. Located on the left bank of the Mekong River, the eastern half of Savannakhet consists of hills and valleys in the central part of the Annamite Range, while the western part features hills through which the Se Bang Hiang River flows. The town is home to a teachers’ college, public high schools, a Buddhist high school, a business school, and the Savannakhet Institute of Technology. The residents of the Bolaven Plateau are primarily the Lao Theung people, and the population is sparse. The area produces coffee, teak, and other crops. The valleys are inhabited by the Lao and Phu Thai ethnic groups, who grow rice. Mineral resources include petroleum, gypsum, copper, and gold. The drive from the Laos–Vietnam border to Savannakhet takes about eight hours. The first part of the road is quite bumpy, but the scenery along the way is stunning. After driving for just over an hour, the bus stops to pick up or drop off passengers in Sepon. If you spend a day in Sepon, you can find a local guide to take you to see nearby sections of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Pakse (Pakse), the largest commercial city in southern Laos, a hub for waterway transportation, and the capital of Champasak Province. The urban area of Pakse covers approximately 10 square kilometers, with a population of over 40,000, making it the third-largest city in Laos. Located at the northern end of the lowest-altitude Pakse Plain in the country, the city center is flanked to the south by the Mekong River, …
Vientiane is located in the middle reaches of the Mekong River and is the capital of Laos. Established in the 4th century BC, it has been the capital and economic center of Laos since the founding of the Lan Xang Kingdom in the 14th century and particularly during the 16th century. The city is one of the few capitals in the world situated near an international border and serves as Laos’ political, economic, and transportation hub. Vientiane is...
Champasak Province is a province in southwestern Laos, one of the three countries formed from the former Lao Kingdom of Lan Xang. Named after the former capital of the Champasak Kingdom, Champasak Province has its capital in Pakse, with the Mekong River flowing through the province. Clockwise from the north, Champasak Province borders Savannakhet Province…
Khone Phapheng Falls, also known as "Khone Phapheng Waterfall," is located on the southern border of Laos. It spans 10 kilometers in width, with a flood-season drop of 15 meters and a dry-season drop of 24 meters. It discharges an average of 11,000 cubic meters of water per second, making it the largest waterfall on the Mekong River, the waterfall with the greatest water flow in the world, and one of the main reasons why the Mekong cannot be navigated to China...
Introduction The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, located near the Yayasan Shopping Mall, is a symbol of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, and one of the most beautiful mosques in Southeast Asia. This iconic building can be seen on the way from the airport to the city center. The mosque was completed in 1958…
Introduction The Sultan's Memorial Hall is located in the city center of Bandar Seri Begawan and was completed in 1992. This memorial hall is the world's largest private residence, built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sultan's accession to the throne. The memorial hall has 2,200 rooms, including a mosque, helicopter pad, 3-kilometer-long underground tunnel, and air-conditioned stables, among other facilities. The entire palace can accommodate 2,000 guests, and the banquet hall can seat 400 people. The priceless royal memorabilia collected here include gem-encrusted crowns, magnificent traditional royal carriages, and replicas of the coronation hall. The second floor also displays gifts from various countries presented to the current Sultan. Ticket/Opening Hours Free. Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (Monday to Thursday and Saturday)
Introduction Istana Nurul Iman is the world's largest royal palace and the residence of the Sultan of Brunei. It is said that the palace has over 1,700 rooms and serves as the venue for state banquets. If you wish to visit the palace, plan your trip on Brunei’s National Day (February 23) or during Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which marks the end of Ramadan. At these times...
Introduction The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is Brunei's largest royal mosque, officially opened on the current Sultan's birthday in 1994. The 29 resplendent golden domes on the mosque's architecture commemorate the 29 dynasties of sultans who have ruled throughout history. The four 189-foot-high minarets are adorned with blue and white...
Introduction Built at a huge cost of approximately 1.3 billion Brunei dollars, Crystal Park officially opened in 1994. It features numerous modern amusement facilities, combining beautiful natural scenery with a wide variety of entertainment options, making it the largest amusement park in all of Southeast Asia. It is said that on the occasion of the Sultan of Brunei’s 48th birthday, …
Introduction Brunei is home to Kampong Ayer, the world’s largest traditional stilt settlement, often referred to as the “Venice of the East.” As early as 1521, this maze of waterborne homes perched above the river left a deep impression on Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition during their first visit to Brunei. When traveling in Brunei, if you fee…
Bandar Seri Begawan is located at the mouth of the Limbang River where it meets the South China Sea, in the southwest of Brunei Bay. It is the capital and largest city of Brunei. A modern city, it serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the nation, and is also home to the world’s largest stilt village settlement, earning it the nickname “Venice of the East.” Bandar Seri Begawan…
Belait District is a city and oil port in western Brunei. The district capital is located at the mouth of the Belait River, with a population of 19,000 (1981). The Belait port area has shallow waters, with depths of 2 meters at high tide and 0.5 meters at low tide. It has two docks over 100 meters long and a floating dry dock. Belait has shipyards, sawmills, and other facilities, while its suburbs...
Merimbum Lake Park is Brunei's largest and most well-known park, as well as the country’s only national heritage site recognized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Spanning 8,000 hectares, the park features lush woodlands and vibrant flowers blooming brilliantly amid green foliage. It is also home to numerous water birds, reptiles, mammals…
Brunei is a "sovereign, democratic, and independent Malay Muslim Monarchy." The Brunei Constitution stipulates that the Sultan is the head of state, wielding all supreme executive powers and the authority to enact laws, while also serving as the religious leader. The country has five councils: Religious, Privy, Cabinet, Legislative, and Succession (after gaining independence in 1984…