Laos
Asia · South-Eastern Asia
Overview
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. The Mekong River runs the length of the country and has historically played a defining role in trade and transportation. France colonized the territory in the late 19th century as part of French Indochina, and Laos gained full independence in 1953, before enduring extensive American bombing during the 1960s and '70s linked to the Vietnam War, leaving effects still felt in the country today. The official language is Lao, and the majority of the population practices Theravada Buddhism.
Luang Prabang, the former royal capital, with an old town blending French colonial-era buildings and Buddhist monasteries, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995, where the monks' dawn alms-collecting procession remains part of everyday life. Vientiane, the current capital, home to Pha That Luang, a gilded stupa and one of the country's most important national and religious symbols, is less touristic in character than Luang Prabang. The Wat Phou temple complex in Champasak, a Khmer-built Hindu sanctuary set into a hillside, gradually developed between the 5th and 15th centuries, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001. The Plain of Jars, in Xieng Khouang Province, with thousands of ancient stone jars of mysterious origin, is also on the UNESCO list.
Boat trips along the Mekong River, particularly between Luang Prabang and the Thai border, reveal the region's landscapes and riverside villages, traveled by traditional slow boats or faster motorized craft. The Kuang Si Falls, near Luang Prabang, with turquoise pools suitable for swimming, are one of the country's most popular natural attractions. Northern Laos, including Phongsali and Luang Namtha provinces, is home to numerous ethnic minorities, and trekking tours offer insight into traditional highland ways of life. Local cuisine is built around sticky rice, with laab, a spicy salad made from minced meat or fish, as a signature dish also regarded as the national dish.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Town of Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.
Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape
The Champasak cultural landscape, including the Vat Phou Temple complex, is a remarkably well-preserved planned landscape more than 1,000 years old. It was shaped to express the Hindu vision of the relationship between nature and humanity, using an axis from mountain top to river bank to lay out a geometric pattern of temples, shrines and waterworks extending over some 10 km. Two planned cities on the banks of the Mekong River are also part of the site, as well as Phou Kao mountain. The whole represents a development ranging from the 5th to 15th centuries, mainly associated with the Khmer Empire.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park
This transboundary property, located along the border between Viet Nam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, forms one of the most exceptional and well-preserved limestone karst landscapes in the world. The karst formations in this area began developing around 400 million years ago during the Palaeozoic era, making it the oldest large-scale karst system in Asia. It features dramatic cliffs, deep sinkholes, and a vast network of underground rivers. Over 220 kilometres of caves and subterranean waterways have been documented, many of which are globally significant for their size, beauty, and scientific value. This ancient terrain supports a remarkable diversity of ecosystems, ranging from high-altitude dry karst forests to dense, moist lowland forests, which are home to many rare and unique plant and animal species, including many that are rare, endangered, or endemic to the region. The biodiversity in this region is not only remarkable but also plays a crucial role in global conservation efforts.
Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang – Plain of Jars
The Plain of Jars, located on a plateau in central Laos, gets its name from more than 2,100 tubular-shaped megalithic stone jars used for funerary practices in the Iron Age. This serial property of 15 components contains large carved stone jars, stone discs, secondary burials, tombstones, quarries and funerary objects dating from 500 BCE to 500 CE. The jars and associated elements are the most prominent evidence of the Iron Age civilization that made and used them until it disappeared, around 500 CE.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Laos?
The capital of Laos is Vientiane.
What is the area of Laos?
The area of Laos is 236,800 km².
What is the population of Laos?
The population of Laos is 7,769,819.
What is the currency of Laos?
The currency of Laos is Lao kip (LAK).
What is the official language of Laos?
The official language of Laos: Lao.
What side of the road does Laos drive on?
Laos: Right-hand traffic.
Is Laos a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Laos is a member of the United Nations.