A long time ago, Sy Sod So Tammikarad (a king from northern Thailand) and Naleatafai (a king from modern-day Oudomxay Province, Laos), built two stupas to symbolize their friendship. One of these is the Luang Namtha Stupa. Once lost to the forest at the eastern head of the Namtha River, it was rebuilt in December 2004.  In the morning, embark to arrive there by walk or biking up to the top mountain. The overview of province is properly in taking photo, walking around the stupa to discover a big buddha is behind the stupa.

Start walking or biking by yourself about 1 km from the centre of town. No entrance fee.

In the middle of town, this museum has an extensive collection of indigenous clothing, agricultural tools and household implements used in daily life. It also has an excellent collection of Buddha images, bronze drums, ceramics and textiles. Also, of interest are the traditional hand-made weapons on display that were once used for hunting and national defense. Travelers can see all the exhibits inside to discover information of archeology, agriculture, history and culture. The receptionists who will explain information for you during your visiting.

Start walking from center of town (Night Market) to the north with 500m. Entrance fee 10.000 kip/p. Open Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 16:00 pm.

Contact to officers at Museum
Tel: +85620 2890 4715

A 20 minute drive outside of Luang Namtha town, with views across the rice fields, will take you to Nam Dee Village. Being a Lanten Village, you’ll probably see their signature indigo cloths drying on the way through. Head over the causeway to reach the Visitor Centre. A map of the area, as well as a recreated traditional house and handicraft centre, are at the entrance where tickets are sold. From there you can start the walk – it’s only 5 minutes to the bridge and the view of the falls. Cascading down tiers of stone, surrounded by verdant forest, it’s a refreshing sight. The trail continues for about 1 hour via a swingbridge above the falls, climbing through lush forest before descending back down to the village. Take a walk through the village to see the traditional Lanten way of life, many women will be sewing, weaving and dyeing. To remark, the waterfall is not available to see in dry season (November to May).

Kao Rao Cave is amongst the longest underground labyrinths in Northern Laos. Though no one has reached its end, spelunkers once spent eight hours wandering some 1,000 metres, only to claim “There is no end in sight!” The subterranean system includes wet and dry caves, both are fairly well lit. Limestone columns serve as geological gateways to gours (dry floor pools), stalagmites, stalactites, and stone-rimmed pools with cave pearls. The network is generally narrow, but easily passable, and acts as a natural air-conditioning system offering a respite from the heat outside. The cave is located 13km north of Vieng Phoukha town and 46km south of Luang Namtha. Villagers rotate looking after the cave daily, however for the best experience go to the Vieng Phoukha Tourism Information Centre and they’ll organize a guide for you.

Diamond Golden Mountain Garden is a project of love by two ex-doctors who care about good food and relaxation. Covering 27 hectares, the area boasts orchards and vegetable gardens, a camping area, a waterway for paddle boats as well as organically fed fish, which you can feed yourself. Other activities are zipline riding and horse riding. There is also a deer enclosure, as well as a small amount of birds and animals who are well looked after. It is in your interest to stop here for lunch. The food is fresh and delicious, with such treats as Luang Prabang salad and golden fried fish with vegetables. Located in Ban Prang, Vieng Phoukha District, it is 25km from Kao Rao Cave and 30 kilometers onward to Luang Namtha.

Located within Luang Namtha town, Vieng Neua village is home of the Tai Yuan. You are guaranteed a warm welcome at their homestays, families offer dinner and breakfast. For an additional cost they offer a very entertaining traditional dance and dinner show, with all the community involved. This is excellent for small to larger groups.

Lao Yuan is The earliest Tai group to settle in the Plain of Luang Namtha was the Tai Yuan (locally called Tai Kalom). Originally from Chiang Saen—part of the Yo Nok Kingdom in northern Thailand—they moved into the plain of Namtha during the mid-sixteenth century. At the time, the plain was the northernmost territory of the Lao Lane Xang Kingdom, centered in Luang Prabang. There they established the Kingdom of Luang Huatha. The Tai Yuan practice Theravada Buddhism, coupled with a belief in pre-Buddhist phi or spirits.

The Tai Daeng community of Ban Phieng Ngam weave many coloured textiles in both silk and cotton. You can enjoy a coffee, a meal and even take a workshop at the Centre. Village women come and go, weaving here and at home in the village, and bring new pieces into the centre’s shop. Their food is fresh and as lush green as the rice field they are in – a great place to unwind for a while and just enjoy the scenery.  A lovely homestay is also available for overnight accommodation.

Phieng Ngam villagers immigrated from Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam, fleeing the same massacres that also brought the Tai Dam to Laos. After first settling in Luang Prabang and Houaphanh provinces, the village moved to Luang Namtha in 1971 for better, flatter fields, which were vacated due to bombing during the Second Indochina War. Before the war the village was inhabited by the Tai Yuan and was called “Tieng Ngam”, meaning “beautiful clothes”. Legend has it that there was a set of beautiful clothes left in a nearby cave (called “Xang Pou Mon” meaning “White Elephant”) by the spirits for the villagers to use. But when the clothes were not returned by one of the villagers, the cave closed forever. The village name was then changed to “Phieng Ngam”, meaning beautiful flat land for its beautiful rice fields.

As the sun falls, the night market comes to life with stands selling grilled pork, roasted chicken and duck, spicy papaya salad and many other local treats. And of course, you can wash down all the good food with a Beer Lao. The atmosphere is lively with locals and tourists alike. Akha women roam around selling their wares, and will sing songs to encourage purchases. It is a good place to meet people and enjoy good inexpensive local food.

Poum Pouk is a Buddhist stupa that is highly revered by local Buddhists (Tai Lue, Tai Yuan, Tai Khao and other Lao ethnic groups) and is one of the oldest in the province. 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 Chang Mai). On 28 October 1966 the old stupa was damaged during intense American bombing of the Valley during the Secret War. The new monument was constructed in 2003, as a show of local people’s religious faith. From the viewpoint you can see Ban Nam Ngaen below, a non-Buddhist Tai Dam village, settled in the early 20^th century. An annual festival is held at the stupa (3^rd Lao month, 15^th day of lunar calendar, typically February)

Luang Khone Temple is said to be the oldest temple in Luang Namtha District, built in 1892 by Jao Luang Kom Majang. The temple is known locally to host the largest festival in town every year at the end of the Buddhist Lent. The temple is part of the old town called Muang Namtha, and is located in Luang Village, a Lao Yuan (Kalom) ethnic village. The Tai Yuan is the oldest Tai group in the Valley and practices a mix of Theravada Buddhism (the common form of Buddhism practiced in Laos) and animism. On the temple grounds, in the front there is the large ordination hall and in the back are the monks’ quarters (women are not allowed to enter this area).

The Muang Sing Museum situated close to the center of town, is a good place to start exploring Muang Sing’s rich culture and history. The old wood and brick building was once the residence of Phanya Sekong, a local lord called Jao Fa Noi or Little Prince, who ruled over the area in the early 20th century. The building was restored in 2005. Due to its functional structure the façade was refinished, but the clay roofing tiles that covered the residence of Phaya Sekong before were converted to a mix of corrugated iron and asbestos tiles painted red.
There is an excellent collection of traditional tools from the major ethnic groups in the area. Displayed on the building’s upper floor is an interesting variety of valuable 18 – 19th century historic and religious pieces that have been preserved by the people of Muang Sing. Open Monday-Friday from 9 to 11:30 am and 1:30 to 3:30 pm, admission fee 5,000 kip (plus 5,000 kip extra for the Akha film).

Once closely associated with the Sipsongpanna Kingdom located in present day Yunnan China, the town has been influenced by Chinese, Burmese and French occupants. Originally constructed in the 18th century following a deliberate urban plan, you can see the old city walls and moat about 7 blocks north of the museum, and an old rampart in the northwest part of the Sing Valley.

That Xieng Tung (Xeing Tung Stupa) is the most important stupa in Muang Sing. It is said to contain the adam’s apple of Buddha. The date of when it was built is unknown. To the left of the stupa are some stairs which lead to a sacred fountain and a sacred stone. If you follow a path to the right of the stupa (be careful!) downhill you might be able to find the old moat and wall of the stupa. The biggest festival of the year, That Xieng Tung Festival, is held here every year during the fullmoon of the 12th lunar month (usually in late October or early November) and attracts a wide gathering from villages and people around the district and Luang Namtha province. The stupa is located 5.5 km from the center of town, on the road towards Luang Namtha, situated on top of a hill.

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