Travel Photography: A Taste of Laos - The Land of a Million Elephants
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia and has thickly forested landscape consists mostly of rugged mountains, the highest of which is Phou Bia with some plains and plateaus. The Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand, whereas the mountains of the Annamite Range form most of the eastern border with Vietnam and the Luang Prabang Range the northwestern border with the Thai highlands. There are two plateaux, the Xiangkhoang in the north and the Bolaven Plateau at the southern end. The climate is tropical and influenced by the monsoon pattern.
Rice paddies on the way to the Elephant Cave, Vang Vieng, Laos
Laos has become popular with tourists for its relaxed style of living and for retaining elements of the "original Asia" lost elsewhere. The official tourism slogan is "Simply Beautiful" and it certainly is. The main attractions include Buddhist culture and colonial architecture in Luang Prabang; ancient temples in the capital of Vientiane; backpacking in Muang Ngoi Neua and Vang Vieng; historical and modern culture blend in perfect harmony.
Traditional Fishing - Nanga Village, Vang Vieng, Laos
Sunset View - Mekong River, Vang Vieng, Laos
Kuang Si Waterfalls - Luang Prabang, Laos
The Kuang Si Falls, sometimes spelled Kuang Xi, is a three tier waterfall located at the south of Luang Prabang in Laos. The falls begin in shallow pools atop a steep hillside. These lead to the main fall with a 50m cascade. The water collects in numerous turquoise blue pools as it flows downstream.
Vat Xieng Thong Ratsavoravihanh Temple - Luang Prabang, Laos
Tham Theung (Upper Cave) Pak Ou Caves - Luang Prabang, Laos
Near Pak Ou (mouth of the Ou river) the Tham Ting (lower cave) and the Tham Theung (upper cave) are caves overlooking the Mekong River some 25km from Luang Prabang. The caves are noted for their miniature and larger Buddha sculptures.
Vat Xieng Thong Ratsavoravihanh Temple - Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang literally: "Royal Buddha Image (in the Dispelling Fear mudra)", is a city located in north central Laos, at the confluence of the Nam Khan river and Mekong River north of Vientiane. It is the capital of Luang Prabang Province. The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Detailed paintings inside Vat Xieng Thong Ratsavoravihanh Temple - Luang Prabang, Laos
Wat Phu (Temple Mountain) - Pakse, Laos
Vat Phou or Wat Phu (temple-mountain) is a ruined Khmer temple complex in southern Laos. It is located at the base of mount Phu Kao, some 6 km from the Mekong river in Champasak province. There was a temple on the site as early as the 5th century, but the surviving structures date from the 11th to 13th centuries. The temple has a unique structure, in which the elements lead to a shrine where a linga was bathed in water from a mountain spring. The site later became a centre of Theravada Buddhist worship, which it remains today.
Young Laotian in Sokpaluang Temple, Vientiane, Laos
Monks Collecting Alms - That Luang Temple, Vientiane, Laos
Lao Smile - Nanga Village, Vientiane, Laos
Busy Monk - Sokpaluang Temple, Vientiane, Laos
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) - Vientiane, Laos
Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan (as well as other variations of the spelling), is a sculpture park located 25 km southeast from Vientiane, Laos in a meadow by the Mekong River. Although it is not a temple (Wat), the park may be referred to as Wat Xieng Khuan, since it contains numerous religious images. The name Xieng Khuan means Spirit City. The park contains over 200 Hindu and Buddhist statues. The socialist government operates Buddha Park as a tourist attraction and public park.
Macaque Monkey - Nahkounoy Temple, Vientiane, Laos
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