Lao People's Democratic Republic, or simply Laos - a country that is located in Southeast Asia.This state is bordered by Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and Myanmar.Laos covers an area of 236,800 km2.In 2005, its population was nearly six million people.Among the tourists is not very popular trend, but absolutely nothing.After all, the state has a lot of interesting places to visit.You will find plenty of exciting excursions, unusual entertainment and a fantastic nature.
History of Laos
From the XIV century, gradually formed the government of Laos.He was always inhabited by migrating tribes such as Lao, thais, Siamese and others, as well as mountain Mien and warlike tribes of the Hmong.In the XIV century warlord Fa Ngum formed a unified kingdom under the name Lang Sang Khao Hom.The structure of the monarchy were scattered power, are located near Luang Prabang.New Kingdom lasted until the XVII century.Then it fell apart.By the end of the next century, most of the powers of Laos (general information presented in this article) came under the hand of Thai sovereignty.
the end of XIX century, Laos became part of French Indochina.And in the summer of 1949 he managed to get rid of the influence of the Empire.But another problem came in the face of the United States, which began to bombard the east of the country in 1964.It was only ten years later, the attacks ceased.
Culture and Entertainment
Laos Laos (capital - the city of Vientiane) - a country with amazing culture.It is represented by the nature of the national crafts, sculpture, traditional dances and music, and painting.The main types of sculptures are monuments dedicated to the Buddha.For their sculptures using wood, stone and bronze.Also, the master often portray various monsters typical of Indian mythology.
Buddha is often present in the painting.In addition, artists are always engaged in painting scenes from the "Ramayana" - the Indian epic.Modern painters and sculptors as Laos along with classical Buddhist stories create works that reflect the beauty of nature and folk life.
If you enjoy outdoor activities, the Laos (the capital of the listed above) will provide you with all possibilities for this.After all, you can go cycling, trekking and rafting.And in the case where a tourist is a fan of exotic and non-traditional pastime, the tubing to its services - rafting on the waters on an inflatable chamber, caving or Zip Lining.This is an incredibly wonderful hobby: in the jungle trees - at the height of 37 meters - 23 mounted platform.Between them stretched strong ropes of steel.These travelers are fixed using a special device.The length of the rope reaches almost one meter and the distance between the platforms is 180 meters.So try to make such a trip!
What to see
Besides entertainment, the country is rich in various architectural masterpieces.So, Laos and attractions which are not world famous monuments, still deserves to be long-term cultural sites were inspected visitors.
First of all I would like to note the elephant camp.Laos behalf of the state of millions of these giants.Animals operate on an equal basis with men: they help cultivate the fields, to build housing, travel long distances and much more.In the above camp travelers have the opportunity to communicate with these unsurpassed creatures, take a walk through the jungle riding on elephants and feed the pets.And if you have the chance to visit Laos in February, you are sure to get to the grand event - Festival of elephants.Thousands of people gather each year in the county Paklai in order to admire the huge parties.To go to this corner of the globe can easily today, because a visa to Laos is inexpensive and is payable immediately upon arrival.And if you plan to be in the country less than 15 days, it is you do not need.
Monastery kings
Wat Xieng Thong ("City of the Golden Temple") - so called royal monastery, decorated with mosaics and frescoes.It is the largest monastery in the country, and it is located in Luang Prabang.Religious buildings built in 1560.Since then it has remained practically unchanged.The temple is a representative of the traditional temple culture of Laos.It can be characterized as follows: gradually curving roof slopes down almost to the ground.The back wall of Wat Xieng Red Thong decorated with images of different animals and birds, mosaic.The temple itself is a rare statue of Buddha lying.Laos (its attractions worth a visit!) Always offers its guests to visit places of interest, albeit not as famous as Stonehenge or the Leaning Tower, but still amazing and unrivaled in its grandeur and beauty.
Blood and moon
rectangular panel with three horizontal stripes and a circle in the middle - it is the flag of Laos.The upper and lower band painted in red, symbolizing the blood of victims who gave their lives for the independence of the country.The average, overall, the band has a blue color, which became the epitome of the resources of Laos.In the center of the blue field is a huge white circle.He became a symbol of the moon, which rises above the river Mekong.
December 2, 1975 in Laos flag derives its legal approval.Such a composition canvas was offered in the second half of the 50s of the last century.But people needed to achieve its independence, to the symbol of the state had a right to exist.
main town
capital of Laos - Vientiane, and we have already mentioned.I would like to talk a little bit about this wonderful place.Its name translates as "the city of sandalwood."Vientiane is considered the main financial center of the entire state.It is home of about two hundred thousand people.
The city was founded by King Setthathirathom in 1560.At that time settlement has also been the capital, not only in Laos, and powers under the name Lang Sang.This state has ceased to exist in 1707.At the same time Vientiane transformed into an independent kingdom.In 1779 the town was completely destroyed by the Siamese army.And in 1899 he became the capital of Laos.
In Vientiane in Paris
Laos (capital listed above) has little similarity with France.Or rather a coincidence can be seen in the major cities of these countries.So, Paris boasts the world famous Arc de Triomphe and Vientiane - Patusay Arc de Triomphe, which is somewhat reminiscent of a French "colleagues."Located on the main street attraction Lao capital - Langsang Avenue.Object built in honor of the inhabitants of the country who died in the war for independence from France.
Oddly, but Patusay was built on the money of the French government.The design has four inputs, and crown its small turret.The arch is decorated with a pattern consisting of lotus flowers, and its ceiling painted blue paint and painted with images of elephants, Buddhas and soldiers.From the observation deck on top of the Arc de Triomphe you can see the whole city and its surroundings.There is a belief that if a small shop, which is located nearby, buy a cage with a bird and standing on top of buildings, issue feathered creation at will and at the same time to make a wish, it will surely come.
Buddha Park
Laos, the capital of which is a kind of Buddha temple, offers its guests to visit another attraction, located in Vientiane.This Buddha Park.However, the object is not located directly in the city and its surroundings.The park has a small size: 200h70 meters.Inspect all the sculptures located very close to one another, can in one hour.All the sculptures are made of concrete and iron.Their author is a Buddhist monk and painter Boone Liua Surirat.This project was created in 1958.
Now shopping!
to your family and friends do not doubt that you have visited Laos, bring them souvenirs from this country.Usually tourists being taken samples of handicrafts.It may be fabrics, furniture, jewelry.Gifts can be purchased in small ethnic shops and the market.If you make purchases in the capital of the country, for they would have to pay more than in provincial towns.But still, in spite of the substantial difference in the price (almost twice), the value of gift is not high.
