ไทย
English
Phongsaly Laos
Project gen by hotsia
Phongsaly Province General Information Located in the northernmost part of the country, covering 16,270 square kilometers, Phongsaly includes May, Khua, Samphanh, Boon-Neua, Boon-Tai, and Gnot-Ou districts. It borders China and Vietnam. The population consists of 13 ethnic minority groups: Khammu, Thai Dam, Thai Daeng, Yao, Leu, Hor, Hmong, Akha, Yang, Bid, Lolo, and others.
Each minority ethnic group has its own identity, language, and culture, including wedding ceremonies, handicrafts, and silverware. Doychy is the highest mountain in the area, standing at 1,842 meters, with 77% of the province covered by forest. A panoramic view of the municipal area can be enjoyed from the peak of Phou Fa Mountain, which reaches 1,625 meters and is accessible by road or, for the energetic, by climbing an additional 431 steps to the summit.
The weather in Phongsaly is well known for having four seasons in a single day. Cold air arrives in the morning and evening, the daytime is very humid, and afternoons are rainy, keeping the forest and surrounding vegetation lush and green throughout Moung Gnot-Ou District.
Moung Gnot-Ou is the northernmost district of Laos, with a population of 25,000 spread across 98 villages and 11 ethnic groups. Most residents are farmers and cultivators. A notable landmark is No. 7 at Lan Tui, the Lao-Chinese Border Checkpoint, located in Ban Ou-Tai Village. It was built over 500 years ago by Praya Chakkawattiraja. Within the monastery is Hor Thane Keo (the place where Buddha images are kept), constructed from mud and decorated with original art.
Each wooden column of the monastery stands on stones and is adorned with beautiful carvings, including daggers, swords, flowers, and flags, all crafted entirely from wood. Next to the monastery is a brick shrine. The Tai Lue ethnic group calls this shrine Ou Bo Sot, meaning a place where monks gather for religious ceremonies.
An ancient structure built at the same time as Wat Ou Tai is located in Ban Ou Neua Village. All buildings are beautifully designed, especially the double overlapping roof showcasing Lue architecture. The temple features traditional fine art techniques and houses a large Buddha image along with smaller Buddha statues.
This temple is highly revered by the Lue people. Related to the construction of the That Phou Xay Stupa atop the hill, Wat Luang Ou-Neua Temple can be reached by climbing 400 stairs. It remains a natural and cultural site where visitors can learn about the fine arts and architecture of the Lue ethnic group.