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Laos, Oudomsay Province
Project gen by hotsia
Slow boat Luang Prabang, travel to Muang Xai, Oudomsay, Oudomsay Bus Station, bus from Oudomsay to Dien Bien Phu, recommended hotels in Pakbeng, supported by mr.hotsia for exciting travel, recommended hotels in Muang Xai. Oudomsay town in Luang Prabang is a central city in northern Laos, a transit point to Luang Prabang, Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, or Houaphanh. This city is important as a hub for the upper provinces of Laos with a population of nearly 300,000 people, consisting of various ethnic groups.
The main ethnic groups are Hmong, Mien, Phu Thai, and Akha. Oudomsay has the Nam Ko river flowing through it, not the Nam Bang river. Does Nam Bang sound familiar? Pakbeng is more familiar. Pakbeng is the mouth of the Nam Bang river where it joins the Mekong River at Ban Pakbeng (sometimes pronounced Pak Biang). The main route from Huay Xai by slow boat to Luang Prabang requires a one-night stop at Pakbeng, which is also in Oudomsay Province. I stayed in Oudomsay only one night
before continuing by bus to Phongsaly. So, the time for sightseeing was limited. Next time, I will take the boat from Huay Xai and share photos from Pakbeng. This trip focused on exploring Muang Xai first. Muang Xai is a transit town 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 a chance to visit yet. Accommodations in Muang Xai are mostly near Oudomsay Bus Station, with many options priced around 200-300 baht per night. Most places offer internet service. Oudomsay or Muang Xai is the capital of Oudomsay Province, surrounded by Phongsaly, Luang Prabang, and Xayaburi provinces. During the national liberation war and political change, Highway 1 intersected with Highway 4
and 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 areas, resulting in deforestation. Currently, China influences trade here 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 town center called Phu That, an important religious site for the Lao people and a viewpoint overlooking the city 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 this town and arrived from Luang Namtha in the evening
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 Muang Xai. The morning market here is very interesting, and I will share photos in the next post. After returning from the market, I captured images of locals offering sticky rice alms in town as proof that Hotsia travels independently, haha. 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 Phu That visit. I highly recommend visiting the stupa and enjoying the Oudomsay city view from there. The breeze on top is cool and comfortable, and the city looks beautiful from above. This spot is the heart of Oudomsay city. A Chinese department store has opened here. The photo is taken from the Nam Ko pedestrian bridge, locally called 'Khua Nam Ko' (Khua means bridge). Morning alms offering with sticky rice by locals. I am about to take a tuk-tuk up to Phu That.
Arrived at Phu That. The view from the top clearly shows Muang Xai. Even early in the morning, others had already come to worship before me. In Laos, they build Naga statues at temples. View from the top of Muang Xai stupa. The blessing Buddha statue. Morning atmosphere from Phu That. The Buddha statue is called Blessing Buddha. Read the history here; the Lao language is not difficult to understand.