Muang La

With only a few hundred inhabitants, the small northern Lao village of Muang La is located well off the tourist trail in an enchanting setting of mountains, forests, richly gilded temples and pagodas. The lush green vegetation of the village and the buildings constructed of wood and bamboo are surrounded by two rushing rivers: the Nam Phak and the smaller Nam La.

Muang La is home to natural hot springs, which are a huge draw for both local and international visitors alike, as they make for the perfect place to enjoy the mesmerising scenery while benefiting from the medicinal properties that the warm water is reputed to have during a relaxing soak: bliss.

The village is also home to many from the Khmu ethnic group and we highly recommend wandering its quiet roads to chat to them and observe their traditional way of life during your stay here. Although most travel to Muang La primarily for the striking scenery and hot springs, visitors may also walk to the sacred temple of Wat Pha Singkham, where a highly revered 400 year old statue of Buddha can be found.

Those who venture out to such a remote village need not compromise on comfort: Muang La Lodge offers guests a boutique and stylish place to stay, complete with an outdoor pool and incredibly lush gardens that encapsulate the beautiful and serene northern Lao countryside.

Muang La is accessible partly by river and partly by road from the village of Nong Khiaw and combining the two as part of a stay in the charming town of Luang Prabang is a perfect way to take in the tranquil ambiance and picture-perfect mountainous scenery of this special country.

The best time of year to visit Muang La as part of a tailor-made holiday to Laos, is between November and March. As northern Laos can get somewhat chilly in December and January, we advise you pack some layers with you.

Travelling is like flirting with life. It's like saying, 'I would stay and love you, but I have to go; this is my station.
Lisa St. Aubin de Teran