Luang Namtha Temples

The Tai Yuan and Tai Lue are devoutly Buddhist. Hence, there are 4 temples and monasteries in the area.  Luang Khone Temple, the most important in the area, is located on the main road next to the airport. Vieng Tai Temple, and Vieng Neua Temple, also quite beautiful temples, are as well located on the main road to the airport. The old temple of Vieng Neua village, before the village was moved for the extension of the airport, Vieng Neua Kao Temple is also charming.

There also are two impressive stupas in Luang Namtha located on hills, with wonderful views:

Luang Namtha Stupa
A long time ago Sy Sod So Tammikarad King of Xieng Sean (nowadays Xieng Sean in northern Thailand and Naleatafai King of Chantabouly (nowadays Oudomxay), built two stupas to symbolize their friendship. One stupa was That Phoum Pouk the second stupa, now called the Luang Namtha Stupa , once located on the eastern head of the Namtha River, was lost to the forest, but rebuilt in December 2004. Now called the Luang Namtha Stupa, It’s easy to access from the north end of town.

Poum Puk Stupa
The stupa is located near Nam Ngaen village on a hill in the northeast part of the Namtha Valley. The original stupa was constructed in 1628 to demarcate neutral territory between the Kingdoms of Lane Xang (centered in Luang Prabang) and Lane Na (centered in Chiang Mai). In 1966 the old stupa was destroyed when an American plane dropped a bomb on it. The new monument seen besides the older, ruined stupa was constructed in 2003.

Kalom Style House, Ban Vieng Neua
Ban Vieng Neua (Tai Kalom) is located about 3 km from the town center, close to the airport. The house is built according to the traditional style of the Kalom people (Kalom, also known as Tai Yuan), although some modern toilet facilities have been added. The house can be used by the local villagers for meetings, wedding ceremonies and other events.

Pieng Ngam & Nam Ngaen Villages
The handicraft village Ban Pieng Ngam and the distillery village Ban Nam Ngaen have two ethnic groups, the Thai Deng and the Thai Kao. The villages are famous for their many different handicrafts. A small lodge built by the Nam Ha Ecotourism Project, offers accommodation for anybody who is interested to experience the rural Lao lifestyle. Not far, within walking distance from Ban Pieng Ngam is the Lao Lao distillery village (Ban Nam Ngaen), where people can see the process of making the famous Lao rice whiskey. You can go by bicycle or motorbike following the environs map that you can take from Luang Namtha Tourism Information Center.

Nam Dee Village (Lanten Ethnic Group)
Located not far from Luang Namth,a around 6 km, they people are Lanten, who still keep their traditional culture and way of life. During and a good place to observe the progress of bamboo papermaking. The village now has a home stay program, you can stay 1 night or 2 nights get experience the Lanten culture and tradition, taste local meals, and depending on the season, learn how to make paper from bamboo or participate in the day-to-day work of the family, watching or taking part.

Nam Dee Waterfall
Behind Nam Dee village you will see the entrance to the Nam Dee Waterfall. The area around the waterfall offers good facilities, like a small handicraft shop managed by the villagers; toilets and a house for picnics. Above the waterfall provide you do hiking 1 hour return to your parking.

Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area
Established in 1993, the mountainous Nam Ha NBCA stretches from the Chinese border through the middle of Namtha province, covering over 2,224,00 hectares and about 24% of the province. In 2003 the Nam Ha National Protected Area (NBCA) was designated as an ASEAN Heritage Site. Nam Ha is contiguous with the 44,000 hectare Shiang Yong Protected Area in Yunnan, China. It is populated with ethnic minority groups and well known for a range of ecotourism activities. Read more..