Meuang La

 Meuang La

Meung La Overview
Total area: 1,753 square kilometers.
No. of Village: 44
Population: 17,500; female: 8,766
No. of Family: 3,089
Ethnic Group: Lao, Khmu, Akha, Lue
Language used: Lao, English, Chinese and Others

Access: Public transportation

           The simply Meuang La district, Located on north west only 28 km from Meuang Xay town on the way to Phongsala, is a small idyllic district town situated by the Nam Phaak river. A favored location of Joe Cummins, author of Lonely planet, including cultural, ethnic, and natural sites.
 Among them are the famous Khummu Temple, Vat Prachao Singkham, hot spring, salt mine and typical Thai Lue architecture. Meuang La can also serve as the starting point for impressive excursions to remote ethnic and cultural villages nestled among rice fields, forests and mountains. On the way to Meuang La, you will have the opportunity to stop for an agreeable 2-hour walk to Singkham Buddha Cave and to visit the Khamu village Samakhisay.

Where to stay in Meuang La District

No	Name	Address	No of Room	Contact Number
1	Berychit Guesthouse	Done Village, La District, Oudomxay	12	020 55332712
2	Houmpheng Guesthouse	Done Village, La District, Oudomxay	10	020 54280089
3	Lakham Hotel	Done village, La Distirct, Oudomxay	10	0305723178
4	Meung La Resort	Done village, La Distirct, Oudomxay	12	021 243 446

 

Where to eat in La District

No	Name	Address	Contact Number
1	Berychit Restaurant	Done Village,La District, Oudomxay	020 55332712
2	Khuavanging Restaurant	Done Village,La District, Oudomxay	02058518514

 What to do in La District

- Walk around the town to discover the local life there.
- Walk to the sacred Phachaosingkham Buddha temple.
- Experience the hot spring and soak your foot there to relax.
- Take a short walk to Ban Vangvan and Ban Bouamsom ( Khumu minority village )  to explore the real life of Khumu people. Only 1 km away from M. La town.
- Take a walk, drive and ride (Car & motorcycle) to Ban Phavie or Ban Tanongpor village where you can do your homestay "Khamu style" and experience the real nature.

There is no certain bus Station there, but take the public transportation from Meuang Xay and Meuang Khoua. Another option is to take a  Tuk Tuk or rent a car or motorcycle  to get there.

There are 3 Buses per day from Meuang Xay to Meuang  Khoua at : 8:30 ; 11:30 : 15:30

Vat Phachaosingkham Temple

New Vat Phachao singkham temple

     Phachaosingkham Temple is located in Meuang La Disrtict, about 28 Km from Xay town, which is on the direction to Phongsaly. People believe that it's one of the most sacred temples ever in Laos. The temple was built more than 2,000 years ago.

Old vat phachao singkham temple

       It used to be a very small temple in the past. was built from time to time. People from different places go there almost everyday just for their own purposes. According to people - the most sacred temple. If you want to find out more about the temple we would suggest you to visit it on your own just to see the real situation there. A place where you should not miss.

Akha ethnic group in Ban Aa No Villge

Akha is one famous minority in Oudomxay. Akha people moved originally from China to Vietnam and finally to Laos in 1882 (129 years ago)

Aa No is the name of the leader who led his people (40 families) to Laos and the village was named Aa No after he passed away. The village’s population continued to increase, including through migration of Akha people from other places. Aa No Village is situated in the Northeast of La District (Meuang La), about 32.5 km from Meuang La. Access to the village is possible all year round, but it’s quite hard during the raining season. There, you can experience more about their traditional culture, daily lifestyle, and many more things in the village.

 It’s extremely a very interesting place for people to discover such tribe, especially during the Akha New Year celebration on February of every year.

The paradise mountain (Buddha footprint) in Ban Long Ya Village.  

This paradise mountain is located in Ban Longya Village about 25 Km from Xay town, which is on the same direction to Tadnamket waterfall. It's one of the oldest Thai Dam villages in Oudomxay Province. The paradise mountain is approximately 200 meters away from the village.

 The key point of this area is because of the three sacred Buddha footprints which discovered by a local man for many years ago. People in the area always believe that such footprints are sacred. In 2004, the village decided to develop the area as a religious place for worship and afterward many different Buddha statues and animals were built around the area. It’s now extremely famous for all Buddhist believers in the province as well as other people from different places.

 The increasing number of people going there is getting higher and higher. It’s quite difficult to reach there in the raining season because the road is in a bad condition. Dried season is the best time to visit

 Meuang La Resort 

          This charming resort locates 28 Km from Meuang Xay Town (In the heart of Northern Laos), between China and Vietnam, situated on the edge of a small traditional village with around 100 inhabitants. Surrounded by rain-forest, on the banks of a river and, the lodge is the ideal base to explore the many treasures of the region including the rich diversity of ethnic groups living between rice-fields and mountains. You can also get to Meuang La Resort By Bus or TukTuk 40 mn from Meuang Xay town.

Hot Spring

Children take a bath in hot spring

      Meuang La Hot Spring (Hot water source) is just behind the Meuang La Resort. The people there use this hot spring water for taking a bath in winter instead of buying  or using water heater as one way to reduce expenses. The temperature in the hot water is approximately 40 – 50 degrees.

Ban Phavie Village

Ban Phavie is located about 12 Km from Meuang La town. A small Khamu village which consists of 36 families. The area is famous for trekking and The main peoples' economic activity is farming.

 They raise their income by planting rice and corn and Bean as well as collecting natural resources for selling. Ban Phavie was selected to be an eco tourism destination. The objective was to provide additional income and development to the village from services provided to Tourists. These services are accommodation, food and local guiding plus handicraft products.

Ban Tanongpor  Village   

Ban Tanongpor is another attractive Khamu village, located  in Meuang La district ( 17 Km from Xay town and 11 Km from Meuang La) and consists of 27 families. Farming is the main income source for all Tanongpor residents.

            Ban Tanongpor is also an eco tourism destination and famous for trekking and Khumu culture.  Tourists can also join family’s activities in the evening time like chicken and pig feeding, rice cooking, rice milling and other possible stuff.