8 min read
How to Ride the Laos-China Railway: A Practical Guide
The train changed how Laos travels. Here is how to book it, which station is which, what to carry, and how to keep the journey slow rather than rushed.
On the Ground Laos
Insights, updates and local perspectives to better understand Laos as it evolves.
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9 min read
Vang Vieng's Second Act: From Party Town to Karst Country
Vang Vieng has rebuilt itself around karst, caves and balloons. What that reinvention actually delivers, what it costs the valley, and how to visit well.
9 min read
The Bolaven Plateau: Coffee, Waterfalls and Slow Days in Southern Laos
The Bolaven Plateau is where southern Laos slows down: coffee farms at 1,200 metres, waterfalls in every valley, and a loop best ridden over four days.
8 min read
Laos e-Visa and Visa-on-Arrival Fees in 2026
What Laos e-visa and visa-on-arrival actually cost in 2026, which nationalities pay what, and how to avoid the mistakes that hold travelers up at the border.
8 min read
The Slow Boat Down the Mekong: Huay Xai to Luang Prabang
A practical guide to the two-day slow boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang: booking, pricing, the Pakbeng overnight, and what to actually expect on board.
9 min read
Luang Prabang's Tourism Surge and the UNESCO Balancing Act
Luang Prabang drew over 800,000 visitors in four months of 2026. Here is what the surge means for the town's UNESCO heritage and for how it should be visited.
8 min read
Nong Khiaw and the Nam Ou Valley: Laos's Quiet Heart
A three-hour drive from Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw sits between limestone karsts on the Nam Ou River. Here is why it rewards travelers who slow down and stay.
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