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Houay Xai » Houay Xai

Houay Xai

 00:00:00 | 4.4.2012

Houay Xai (also Huay xai, Houei Sai, etc) is the capital of the Laos province of Bokeo. It lies on the banks of the Mekong river, which forms the border to Thailand.

For most tourists it is seen as a transport stop-over, which is quite a pity. While there is not much to see in this small town, it's a good place to adapt to the Laos life: sit on the banks of the Mekong, have a Laos beer and watch the river flow past, or even better see the hoards of tourists flow past.

Hua zhai.jpg
View from temple complex in Houay Xai, about 2 miles south of river crossing. Looking downstream.
Photograph by Bill Bradley

There is a local market, commonly known locally as the Morning Market and the best time to visit is early morning. The market is in the suburb of Ban Muangkeo. To get there, follow the main road south along the Mekong. After passing a hill, there is a turn-off to the left, which you should follow until you reach the place. Ask people as you go, to make sure you don't take the wrong turning.

On main street, there is the office of The Gibbon Experience. This is a forest conservation project that raises its funds through taking guests into the Bokeo Nature Reserve. Every other day there is a truck covering the 3.5 hours to the last village, where you start your hike to the project. Accommodation is provided in terrific treehouses which are constructed on giant trees over 40 m high. To access the houses, you glide on a cable from the surrounding hill range. There is an extensive cable network being set up to explore the canopy, providing breathtaking views of the scenery and probably due to its increasing popularity prices have recently increased.


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