Ethnic Villages
With 47 recognized ethnic groups, visiting almost any Lao village outside of the main towns will put you in an ethnic minority village! The most diverse collection of ethnic minority villages is in the northern provinces of Luang Namtha, Phongsaly and Bokeo, but there are also quite a few distinct Mon-Khmer groups in living near the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos . If you are interested in visiting a remote ethnic minority village, it is recommended that you hire a local guide and use a local tour operator or guide service. If you do decide to go to one of the country's more accessible ethnic villages on your own, please first have a look at the do's and don'ts for culturally sensitive in Laos.
Handicrafts
Textiles, silver, woodcarving, basketry and natural paper are some of the most popular handicrafts in Laos . Lao weavers are know for producing intricate fabrics in home-spun silk and cotton, most notably, complex mut mee (ikot) patterns based on folklore and natural themes.
Waterfalls
Laos ' high annual rainfall, mountainous terrain and extensive river system create some of the most impressive waterfalls in the world. In fact, the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia, Khone Phapeng, is located in Laos. Laotian people often use waterfalls (called tad in Lao language) for weekend getaways, picnics and family get-togethers. Thus, many waterfalls have relaxing rest stops, accommodation and locally guided tours. Below is a list of some of the more popular waterfalls in Laos.
Wild Orchids
Orchids are found in all the forest types of Laos, and although 335 species have been recorded officially, it is certain that many more species are yet to be discovered.
Laos Wildlife
Laos is home to over one hundred species of large mammal. Many of these are familiar Asian species such as Tiger, Asian Elephant and Gaur (a species of wild cattle). Laos is also home to an impressive diversity of primates including five species of gibbon, five species of macaque and fours species of leaf monkey including the incredibly beautiful Douc Langur.
