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Region: Northern Laos> Province: Udomxai>Location: Muang La

Muang La sights and attractions

The Hot Springs - Stinking hot

Description
Right alongside, and practically in the Nam Pak River, the hot springs are surrounded by beautiful scenery. In Lao, the translation is Warm Water, but in reality it's stinking hot, although not as pungent as some other springs in the country.

Bubbles rise up from the rocky bottom of the spring, its murky blue green waters divided from the cold brown rushing river beside it. When the river runs high, the water is dirty, but three small tanks sit, big enough to hold one foreigner, two Lao, or about five small Lao children. The water in these tanks is much cleaner, and still bubbling hot. As dusk falls, the springs become busy as everyone comes for their nightly wash. A few select small rocks sit by the edge of the springs, which women use as a pumice stones.

A bamboo rack is available to hang dry clothes on, but if you're going to get in the springs, do so wearing a sarong or fully dressed like the locals.

It costs nothing to come and play in the springs, which are at the back of the Hot Springs Resort.

Wat Pa Sing Kham - May your wishes come true

Muang La

Description
Wat Pa Sing Kham is famous for the people of Udomxai as the place to go when you want your wishes to come true. People make a day trip from the big city - which has plenty of wats of its own - specifically to meditate, respect Buddha, and promise that if their dreams are fulfilled, they will come back next year and make contributions to support the wat. If they don't keep their promise, it is widely known that great troubles will befall them.

Obviously, set in such gracious natural surroundings as Muang La, the temple is a lovely place to visit. It is attractive, but plain and a little rundown - not on a par with those in Luang Prabang. To get there, turn right out of the gates of the Hot Spring Resort and head up the hill - away from the main road.