Phong saly Travel Attractions

General Information about Phongsalay province
Located     :     In the northern most of the country
Total Area  :     16,270 square meters
Population  :     174,000
07 districts  :     Phongsaly, May, Khua, Samphanh, Boon-Neua, Boon-Tai, and Gnot-Ou
Capital        :     Phongsaly
Phongsaly is situated in the noethern most part of the country sharing borders with Chaina and Vietnam. The population comprises with 13 minority ethnic groups: Khammu, Thai Dam, Thai Daeng, Yao, Leu, Hor, Hmong, Akha, Yang, Bid, Lolo and others. Each monority ethnic group has their own identity, language and culture such as wedding ceremonies, handicrafts, silver wares and jewelry.
Phou Doychy is the highest mountain in the area, has a height of 1,842 meters and 77% of the forest throughout the province. A commanding view of the municipal area can be seen at the peak of Phou Fa Mountain. A height of 1,625 meters can be reached by road or for the energetic; an even better view can be seen by ascending additional 431 steps to the top of Phou Fa.
The weather in Phonsaly is well suited to the saying that it has “four seasons in a single day”. In the morning and evening the cold rolls in. the daytime is very humid and the afternoons are rainy, rendering the forest and surrounding vegetation a luscious green color throughout the year.
Moung Gnot-Ou District
It is the most northern district of Laos. There is a population of 25,000 scattered across 98 villages and 11 ethnic groups. The majority is farmers and cultivators. The interesting landmark No. 7 can be seen at Lan Tui, the Lao-Chinese Border Checkpoint.
Wat Ou-Tai Temple
It is situated in Ban Ou- Tai Village, constructed over 500 years old by Praya Chakkawattiraja. Within the monastery, there is Hor Thane Keo (plac where Buddha Images are kept) which was constructed by mud and decorated with the arts in its ariginal form. Each wooden column of the monastery stands on stones, with beautiful drawings and decorated with daggers, swords, flowers and flags entirely crafted from wood. Besides the monastery, there is a shrine, constructed from brick. Tai Lue ethnic groups call this shrine “ Ou Bo Sot” which translates into a place where monks gather to undertake religion proceedings.
Wat Luang Ou-Neua Temple
An ancient structure, which had been built in the same time of Wat Ou Tai, located in Ban Ou Neua Village. All structures are very beautiful especially the double overlapping roof featuring Lue architecture. The temple is adorned with traditional fine art techniques and houses a large Buddha image and other smaller Buddha statue. This temple is widely revered by the Lue people.
Besides the pagoda, there is a stone inscription written in Chineses relating to the construction of the temple.
That Phou Xay Stupa
Located at the top of the hill, Wat Luang Ou-Neua Temple can be reached by walking up 400 stairs. It remains a natural and cultural site where visitors can learn about the fine arts and architecture of the Lue ethnic groups.