Luang Nam Tha
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Luang Nam Tha was named for its location, and translates to "The area (luang) around the Tha river (nam Tha)". It is located in the Luam Namtha province in the north of Laos and is home to various ethnic groups. Already the largest city in the province, it is also steadily increasing in popularity among travelers. The city is divided into two parts—the new and old sections—by Highway 3 (which stretches from China to Thailand). Tourist attractions and guesthouses are located in the new town, while the old town is closer to the airport and attracts less hustle and bustle.
Because the highway from Thailand to China (and vice versa) passes through Luang Nam Tha, the city often functions as a quick stop for travelers making their way to one or the other. However, Luang Nam Tha offers far more than just a place to rest; Eco-tourism, Luang Nam Tha’s main attraction, is quickly gaining attention. The surrounding areas of the city boast georgeous secenery and adventourous eco-tours. Popular activities are hiking, rafting, mountain biking, and spelunking (caving). There are also safari boat cruises, on which visitors can view the area’s exotic and vast biodiversity. Visitors who participate in Luang Nam Tha’s eco-tourism activities play a significant role in preserving its natural beauty. By helping the local economy, and supporting the surrounding hill tribes, Luang Nam Tha is able to protect and preserve its forests and hillsides along with the people and wildlife that inhabit them.
The City has a few indoor activities. There is the Luang Nam Tha Museum, which displays bits of the city’s history, including a section about the revolution. It is open in spurts during the week—in the morning from 8:30-12:00 and in the afternoon from 13:30-15:30. There are also several Buddhist temples, although compared to most areas in the region, the presence of Buddhism is minor.
Accommodation and food in Luang Nam Tha are very affordable. Visitors can chose from a number of guesthouses and restaurants, although most restaurants serve the same string of foods. Popular local dishes are Luang Prabang Fried Rice, Fish Moke, and Kao Soi. Recommended Guest houses for those on a budget are: Khamking Guesthouse and Keusophone Guesthouse; for those whose budgets are a bit more flexible: the Boat Landing Guest House. Recommended restaurants are: Panda House, Minority Restaurant, and Coffee House.
Luang Nam Tha can be reached by plane, road, or boat. Flights leave four times a week to and from Vientiane. The travel time is about one hour and round trip tickets cost approximately $100 US. Buses leave from Mengla (China) and from within Laos and are by far the most inexpensive way to travel to Luang Nam Tha. Boat trip is unreliable and expensive compared to the alternatives, and there is no set schedule for the journeys. Boats leave from Houeixay and travel up the Tha river. Travelers can also arrive in Houeixay by bus from Luang Nam Tha from where they can continue on to Thailand.
Because visitors are truly helping maintain this city and drawing necessary attention to the preservation of its natural and cultural roots, that feeling of just being another tourist isn’t valid in Luang Nam Tha. Visitors are truly making a contribution to Luang Nam Tha’s nature empire and various peoples.
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