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Muang Xay » Muang Xay

Muang Xay

 00:00:00 | 4.4.2012

Muang Xay (Oudomxay, Udomxai etc) is the capital of the multiethnic province of Oudomxay Province, located in the Nam Ko River Basin and surrounded by scenic mountains. It's the largest city in Northern Laos and, if you're travelling by land, you'll probably end up here at some point.

The town is formed by small villages at an important intersection between China and Vietnam, and the city has a unique multicultural atmosphere.

Oudomxai Children.jpg

Chom Ong Cave, 45 km from Muang Xay, gives the visitor a dazzling feeling of entering Tolkien's Mines of Moria. The biggest cave in Northern Laos is a recently discovered system of more than 16 km natural tunnels, adorned with pretty sparkling sinter formations, huge stalagmites and stalagtites. Passages have ceiling heights up to 50 meters and there is a stream course flowing in the cave. The natural attraction is accessible in a 50 minutes walk from the village "Ban Chom Ong".
Ban Chom Ong is an outstandingly beautiful village of about 500 people of the ethnic group Khmu. It is starting point to the biggest cave in Northern Laos. Surrounded by paddy rice fields, locked by mountains, it is still largely untouched by modern influences. There is no electricity nor mobile phone signal in the village, but as a compensation you'll get the chance to observe authentic village life as for example handicraft production - most of the people still wear their traditional Khmu clothes. For their scarce visitors, the villagers have a basic bamboo guesthouse with an outside Lao style bathroom (15'000 kip per night), and they will be happy to cook some good and solid meals for you (10'000-20'000 kip per person). There is very little English spoken in the village, so prepare for communication problems or take a translator with you. The Tourism Office offers 2-day and 3-day guided tours to village and cave, including transportation ([1]). If you decide to go on your own, you can rent a motorbike or a car to go on the (very difficult) 40km dirt road from Oudomxay to the village.

Nam Heeng. If you're very adventurous, it is also possible to reach Ban Chom Ong going to a village called Ban Nam Heeng first. The village itself is not particularly interesting, but from there it is possible to walk the last 16km to Chom Ong village, where the cave is. So called "Packing" cars leave from a special public transport station very near the normal bus station and cost about 35'000 kip to Nam Heeng. The challenging hike from Nam Heeng to Chom Ong takes approximately 5 hours. In any case, ask the villagers for the direction to Ban Chom Ong.

Nam Kad Waterfall and Pristine Forest. While visiting Nam Kad Waterfall you can not only swim in the ice cold basin under the waterfall but also see one of the most untouched and beautiful pristine forests in Laos. Rent a motorbike and follow the sign which says "Nam Kad". At a village called "Ban Faen", turn right, and then just follow the road. You'll have to cross the winding river 5 or 6 times, which might be slightly difficult in the rainy season. When the road ends, it is a 30 minutes walk to the waterfall in a wonderful jungle atmosphere. The whole way from Muang Xay to Nam Kad is 23 km.

Oudomxay Museum. Unless in the Museum there are just few items to look at, the view you have from the top of "Phou Sebey" mountain is very nice. Go there early in the morning, when the sun is still low - you may watch the town center waking up and enjoy the morning light as it starts caressing the roofs before the day gets too hot.


Phuuthat-Stupa. Just opposite of the stairs to the museum there are similar stairs to climb, leading to an 18 meters high Stupa. The stupa was built in 14th century to allow all people of the region to come together, to celebrate religious festivals. When the French came to control the land, the area of the stupa was made into a war camp, until independence from France. During the first Vietnamese war the stupa was destroyed and only bricks werde left. Reconstruction started om 1994, finally concluded in 1997. Every full moon day, religious celebrations are held at the stupa. Since April of 2010 there is also a golden, 15 meter high Buddha statue watching over Oudomxay from the top of Phou That, seeming to spur Oudomxay people to new religiousness. Enjoy the view over the town and see the stupa and Buddha shining in the sunset. The monks at the nearby temple are always happy to practice their English with foreigners.

MuangXay stupa.jpg



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