Tourism Laos - World Ecotourism Conference 2009, Laos PDR

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Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region". Laos is also known as the "Land of a Million Elephants" and "Jewel of the Mekong Region".

Top Attractions

Luang Prabang (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

The Ancient Town of Luang Prabang in the center of northern Laos has been described as one of the most charming and best preserved towns in Southeast Asia.

Vat Phou (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Vat Phou is an excellent example of early and classic Khmer Architecture, dating from the 7th to 12th centuries AD. At the foot of Vat Phou is the Ancient City of Shestupura first settled in the 5th century AD and believed to be the oldest urban settlement in Southeast Asia.

Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands)

Khone Phapeng Waterfall - This thundering waterfall is considered the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia. Among the waterfall's many channels and rocky outcrops visitors can see local people employing traditional fishing techniques. Food and beverage facilities are available.

Plain of Jars

The site is comprised of thousands of stone jars, varying in height from one to over three meters, in clusters of up to 300 jars.

Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area Project

The area has been identified by the National Tourism Authority of Lao as having high potential for both culture and nature tourism. A pilot project for an eco-trekking trail is planned for Nam Ha West, which is supported by a larger Luang Namtha province eco-tourism project.

Ecotourism Activities Available: Trekking, river rafting, camping, kayaking, bird watching, mountain bike tours, village home stay. Boating on the Namtha river and hiking in the hills are currently being developed.

Key Species: Mammals of significance are clouded leopard, leopard, and tiger. There is a small population of gaur, Asian elephant, and a possibly unique muntjac species.

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Ecotourism in Laos

Every day, Lao and international stakeholders work towards realizing this vision. We therefore invite you to visit Laos and experience for yourself the splendid biodiversity and cultural heritage that makes Lao Ecotourism so special and unique.

The Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) has a low population density, unspoiled diverse ethnic lifestyles and traditions, and perhaps the richest, most extensive network of ecosystems on the Indochina Peninsula. There are over 800 species of birds and more than 100 large mammals already identified in Laos ? with new species being discovered every year. Some of the more charismatic species include Tigers, Clouded Leopards, Douc Languar, Gibbons, the Irrawaddy Dolphin, Hornbills, Peafowls, Ibis, Crested Argus' and Silver Pheasants.

In place to protect and conserve these irreplaceable resources is a network of 20 National Protected Areas, often cited as one of the best designed Protected Area Systems in the world. In addition to the country's vast protected forests and aquatic resources, Laos has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - The Ancient City of Luang Prabang and the pre-Angkorian Vat Phou Temple Complex. There is also the mysterious Plain of Jars, a forthcoming World Heritage Site that has significant archaeological, historical and natural values.

Eager to position Laos as a premier ecotourism destination, the Lao National Tourism Administration, related government agencies and the private sector are working hard to realize the ambitious vision put forth in the country's National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan.

"Laos will become a world renowned destination specializing in forms of sustainable tourism that, through partnership and cooperation, benefit natural and cultural heritage conservation, local socio-economic development and spreads knowledge of Laos' unique cultural heritage around the world."

Laos- 4000 Islands of the Mekong - Riverscapes and Village Life in the Mekong

Trekking

Trekking is a popular way to explore the mountains and forests in Laos. There are many well designed 1-3 day trekking trips available that usually invole an overnight stay in rural ethnic minority villages.

Ethnic Minority Villages

Visiting almost any Lao village outside of the main towns is an ethnic minority village! The most ethnic minority villages are in the northern provinces of Luang Namtha, Pongsali and Bokeo

Handicrafts

Textiles, silver, woodcarving, basketry and natural paper are some of the most popular handicrafts in Laos . Lao weavers are know for producing intricate fabrics in home-spun silk and cotton, most notably, complex mut mee (ikot) patterns based on folklore & natural themes.

Wildlife

Laos is home to over 100 species of large mammal including Tiger, Asian Elephant and Gaur (a species of wild cattle). Lao's primate diversity includes 5 species of gibbons, 5 species of macaques and 4 species of leaf monkeys including the beautiful Douc Langur.


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