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Laos, Oudomsay Province
Project gen by hotsia
Slow boat from Huay Sai to Luang Prabang, exploring Chai City, Oudomsay, Oudomsay Bus Station, Thai-Lao-Vietnam border crossing, traveling in Laos. Mr.hotsia recommends hotels in Chai City, Oudomsay town, Luang Prabang. Tourist attractions in Oudomsay Province, the central city of northern Laos, a transit city to Luang Prabang, Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, or Huaphan. This city is important as a junction for the upper provinces of Laos.
The population is nearly three hundred thousand, consisting of various ethnic groups, mainly Hmong, Mien, Phu Thai, and Akha. Oudomsay has the Nam Kho River flowing through it, not the Nam Bang River. Does Nam Bang sound familiar? Pak Bang is more familiar. Pak Bang is the mouth of the Nam Bang River where it joins the Mekong River at Pak Bang village (sometimes pronounced Pak Phaeng). The main route from Huay Sai by slow boat to Luang Prabang requires an overnight stay at Pak Bang, which is also in Oudomsay Province.
I stayed in Oudomsay this time for just one night before continuing by car to Phongsaly, so my sightseeing time was limited. Next time, I will take the boat from Huay Sai and share photos from Pak Bang. This trip, I explored Chai City first. Chai is a transit city with not much excitement, fewer restaurants and accommodations than Luang Namtha. The Nam Bang River flows through the town center, offering nice views. Near the bridge neck, people open beer shops to relax and enjoy the river breeze.
There is a karaoke bar, but I haven’t had the chance to visit yet. Accommodations in Chai are mostly near Oudomsay Bus Station, with many options priced around 200-300 baht per night. Most places offer internet service. Oudomsay or Chai City is the capital of Oudomsay Province, surrounded by Phongsaly, Luang Prabang, and Xayabury provinces. During the national liberation war and political change, Highway 1 intersects with Highway 4 here.
It was once a center where China sent aid to the Lao movement around 1970. Today, the old Chinese consulate building has been converted into a hotel. The Lao government repaid China for road construction costs by granting timber concessions in Oudomsay’s valley area, leading to deforestation. Currently, China’s influence is seen in trade with large markets. Upon arriving in town, you will see the monument of Khai Sor, a popular meeting and relaxation spot for locals.
To the southeast, you can see the golden stupa on a hill in the city center called Phu That, an important religious site for the Lao people and a viewpoint offering panoramic city views surrounded by complex mountain ranges. On top, there is a standing Buddha statue in the blessing posture, completed and opened for worship in December 2009. Since I had limited time in town and arrived from Luang Namtha late with rain, I had to rest at my accommodation.
The next morning, I woke up around 5 a.m. to photograph the morning market in Chai City, which is very interesting. I will share those photos in the next part. After returning from the market, I captured images of locals offering sticky rice alms in town as proof that Hotsia travels independently. I tried backlighting for this shot. With some time left, I hired a tuk-tuk to visit the blessing Buddha statue and Phu That stupa. The fare was reasonable, about 80 baht, including the market and the stupa visit.
I highly recommend visiting the stupa when in Chai City and taking the opportunity to enjoy the Oudomsay city view from above. The breeze up there is cool and pleasant. The city looks beautiful from this high vantage point. This spot is the heart of Oudomsay City. A Chinese department store has opened here. This photo was taken from the Nam Kho pedestrian bridge (Namkor bridge). 'Khua' means bridge. Morning alms offering with sticky rice by locals. I am about to hire a tuk-tuk to Phu That stupa.
Arrived at Phu That stupa. The view from the top clearly shows Chai City. Even early in the morning, others had arrived to worship before me. In Laos, they build Naga statues at temples. View from the top of Chai City stupa. The blessing Buddha statue. Morning atmosphere from Phu That. The Buddha statue is called Prathan Phon. Read the history here; Lao language is not difficult to read.