Laos is an enchanting land that demands that you slow your pace to match its own, and even the shortest visit might add tranquility to your travels.
Sixty percent of Lao people are practicing Buddhists, and that fact colors every facet of life. Temples and stupas dominate the architecture of even the smallest village, and you're sure to spot groups of monks in colorful robes -- on their early morning pintabat, or alms rounds, especially in Luang Prabang. Buddhist acceptance and compassion play an important part in Lao culture; arguments are the exception and the sangha, or monastic community, fosters a strict moral code. Even the shortest visit to Laos offers unique insight into Buddhist culture.
Laos has a diverse geography and population. The north is a rich tapestry of ethnic minorities, and Lao people themselves support cultural and ethnic enclaves that differ from region to region, hill to plain. The mighty Mekong River and its tributaries form the spine of the land, and the country boasts vast tracts of deep jungle, open farmland, and even tropical river islands. Remnants of ancient civilizations are here as well, including the mysterious Plain of Jars in Phonsavan and Wat Phu, a Hindu site that predates Angkor Wat near the Cambodia border. Luang Prabang, the biggest burg up north, is a quiet city of colonial French architecture and was named a UNESCO World Heritage site.
