OUDOMXAY

BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS YOU MUST VISIT IN OUDOMXAY

 
Oudomxay in the northwest of Laos has a provincial capital called Muang Xai. It is a mountainous province with borders into China and some peaks as high as 1,800 metres. It is a mineral rich province with deposits of salt, bronze, zinc, antimony, brown coal, kaolin and iron. Villagers grow rice, corn, soybeans, fruits, vegetables, sugarcane, tobacco and tea. Corn and sugarcane are probably the most important revenue crops. The province has some tradition religions as well as Buddhism.
 
Ong Chom Ban Villages:
During the dry season it is possible to reach the village of Ban Chom Ong Tai by motorcycle or car in about two and a half hours but during the rainy season the unpaved road becomes almost impassable.
Ban Chom Ong is a nice Khmu village of about 500 people and it is “locked in” by mountains. There is no electricity nor mobile phone signal in the village, but as a compensation, you’ll get the chance to observe authentic village life as most of the people still wear their traditional Khmu clothes. For their scarce visitors, the villagers have a basic bamboo guesthouse with an outside Lao style bathroom (15.000 kip per night), and they will be happy to cook some good and solid meals for you (10-20.000 kip per person).
There is also another access road which branches north from the unpaved track and trail which runs west from Oudomxay directly to Ban Nalea in Luang Namtha province. Just before Ban Namhang (Nam Haeng) (at N20.60230 E101.80258 which is about 25 km from Oudomxay) head north for about 16 km. to Ban Chom Ong Tai.


The Chom Ong cave
System stretches along a 4 km. long mountain ridge and has a parallel running and interconnecting fossil and river passage. In two explorations (2009 and 2010) it was explored to a length of 16.4 km. (preliminary) with several wide open side passages remaining to be explored. The typical passage dimension is 20–25 m. width and 20–30 m. height. Two huge overlaying halls mark the connection of river and fossil passage with each about 100 m. long, 30 m wide and ceiling heights of 30–50 m. The cave is a trough cave and can be entered with exploration equipment near the stream inlet in the north and left at the outflow in the south.
The full traverse would take about 5 hours with additional 1 and 3 hours respectively return walking time to Chom Ong village. The upper level of the cave leads to several about 15 meter high “balconies”, from where it is possible to look down to a lower level, where the Nam Kaang river flows. Chom Ong Cave features especially impressive stalagmites and stalactites as well as large sparkling sinter formations. The cave was opened for tourism in 2010.
Besides the Chom Ong Cave, there are several other caves in Oudomxay province such as the Tham Chom Xang Dong (Wild Elephant Cave), the Phou Ngeum Cave and other caves like the Pha Ho-Pha Hong Cave in Beng district, the Luang Cave in La District, Phou Tao cave in Xay District and the Singkham Cave in La District. Unfortunately, for most of these caves very little information is available and some of them may not yet be open for tourism purposes.
 
 Phou Ngeum cave
The Phou Ngeum cave is located about 3 km from the market in Pak Beng and there is (was?) a sign located on the road from the pier to Pakbeng where most of the tourists arrive. The sign welcomes tourists to Phou Ngeum cave but very few people know how to get to the cave nor have information available and as a result it remains an undiscovered resource.
The Singkham Cave also known as the Phachao Singkham Buddha Cave which was used during the war to store the Buddha statue as well as historical artefacts. This cave can be visited during treks organized by the Tourism Department which start in La District and is linked to the Buddha statue in the Singkham or Phachao Singkham Temple (see the section on temples).
West of Pakbeng the Khamthan Buddha Cave also known as Phachao Khamtan Cave can be visited.The cave got its name during the Indochina war as the cave acted as a shelter from bombings for people living in the area. During the bombings, many people prayed to the Buddha to protect them by putting a shield over the area.
 
Nam Cat waterfall
Nam Kat is a natural Waterfall located in Phou Hiphi national conservation forest near Ban Faen village in Oudomxay Town in Northern Laos. It is a small waterfall compared to others in the region, but is a popular destination among the locals and tourists who come here for hiking on the bamboo bridges and fantastic views of the landscape from the top of wooden skywalks.

Phu That
Phu That is a 14th-century Buddhist stupa located on the mountain of Phou Sebey, close to the town of Oudomxay in northern Laos. A 15 metre-high golden Buddha statue is present at the top of Phou That. The views of Oudomxay from the top surrounded by forests and the river is splendid, especially during sunsets and sunrises. It is recommended to visit the temple while traveling in the city.
 
Luxay Market
Luxay is a night market located in the city centre if Udomxai in Laos. Established in 2016, it is a new market in town where tourists can buy various types of souvenirs, handmade products like clothes, bags, silver jewellery, lamps, and statues. Visitors can also savour the local cuisine including desserts, different kinds of BBQs and noodles.

ALL THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO OUDOMXAY

 
Muang Xay (also Oudomxay) is the capital of the multi-ethnic Oudomxay Province, in the Nam Ko River Basin and surrounded by scenic mountains. It’s the largest city in Northern Laos and, if you’re travelling by land, you’ll probably end up here at some point.
The town is formed by small villages at an important intersection between China and Vietnam, and the city has a multicultural atmosphere.
 
THE BEST THINGS TO SEE & DO

• Go spelunking the Chom Ong Cave
• Visit Ban Chom Ong
• Trek to Nam Kad Waterfall
• Walk to Nam Heeng Village
• Visit Phuuthat Stupa
• Buy some souvenirs at the Thai Ly Handicraft Shop
• Take an off-road cycling tour
• Shop at Luxay Market

OUDOMXAY HISTORY
The province of Oudomxay was created in 1976, when it was split off from Luang Prabang. Around 1987 the capital of the province was moved from Ban Nahin to Muang Xay. In 1992, the districts of Paktha and Pha Oudom were split off and reassigned to Bokeo province. It has at present 7 districts: Xay, La, Namor, Nga, Beng, Hoon (Houn) and Pakbeng.
Oudomxay borders with the following provinces: Phongsaly (on the north), Luang Prabang (on the east), Xayaboury (on the south), Luang Namtha and Bokeo (on the west). On its north-western side, it shares a 15 kilometer long border with China. Oudomxay covers an area of 15,370 square kilometers and therefore is the ninth largest province in Laos. It has a population of 278,931 (2007).
According to local history, the first people who settled in Oudomxay around the year 700 were “Khom” (also known as Khmu). About 1260, Lao Ly came from the Sipsongpanna region (“twelve thousand rice fields”) in Southern China and built a village called Ban Luang Cheng (“big village” or “big district”) in the same area of today’s provincial capital.
 
OUDOMXAY TRANSPOTATION
– Air: Oudomxay Airport (ODY) is served by Lao Airlines, which offers regular flights from and to Vientiane Capital. The airport at Oudomxay is located about 5 minutes by tuk-tuk from the city center. Flight services to Oudomxay are run by MA6-planes.
– Bus: Travel by Bus to Oudomxay, Laos Interprovincial buses as well as the bus from/to Pak Beng arrive at and depart from Oudomxay Bus station. Visitors should buy bus tickets 1 hour before departure time for inner-provincial to the districts (except Pak Beng) buses.
–  Boat: Travel Oudomxay by Boat, Pak Beng Boat Landing Pak Beng, located at the Mekong in the Southwest of Oudomxay province is the key node between Luang Prabang and Thailand, served by slow and speed boats. A regular bus service connects Pak Beng with Oudomxay city. From Houysay, the border town to Thailand, connections to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and further on Bangkok are available.
– Tuk-tuk: tuk-tuk is a popular transport in Cambodia. You can find this kind of transport easily with reasonable price.  

OUDOMXAY ACCOMMODATION
Oudomxay sits at the heart of northern Laos, and tourists are just discovering the attractions hidden inside. To welcome you, Oudomxay province offers some 100 resorts, hotels, and guesthouses, many of which are new and in Muang Xay Town. Several deliver a higher level of quality and facilities than found in other small provincial capitals. And remember to book a room in Pakbeng when cruising the Mekong.
Spend a few bucks more and treat yourself to a much better…and bigger…accommodation experience. Bigger bathrooms with vanities, and bigger showers with better hot water and showerheads. Bigger rooms with finer furnishings and comfortable mattresses, flat screen TVs with more channels, Wi-Fi, better fabrics, and a local feel. Bigger windows and sunset balcony views of the quiet town and forested mountains. And in Muang Xay, bigger does mean better
“Bigger and Better” suites in top resorts can run from $150-250, though rooms in the same hotel can be found for $50-120. Still, those hunting in the $15-30 category will find modern rooms with more space and larger bathrooms in a guesthouse or hotel with restaurants and bars. And those heading north to Muang La can find riverside relaxation for less than $20 a night.
Book your Pakbeng stay in advance, as rooms fill up fast at the halfway stop on the Houay Xay-Luang Prabang cruise. Some 20 hotels and guesthouses are huddled around the Mekong port, and with varied prices and facilities, it’s often better to book your own room than rely on a travel agent’s choice. You can find a clean room with charm and a balcony or terrace view of the Mekong for $25-40. Many of these hotels have coffee shops and restaurants, bars, and Wi-Fi. You can find simpler guesthouses and bungalows with rooms for $10-20. Their facilities and views vary, so be sure to book what you want.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT OUDOMXAY

The best time to visit Oudomxay is between October and February. The weather is not hot, and the humidity is less during these months. It is a great time to be outdoors to hike to the caves and nearby ethnic villages to experience the countryside in pleasant weather. From late February, summer sets in slowly with March to May being the hottest months. Monsoon begins in late July and lasts until September, with the city witnessing landslides and floods.  

OUDOMXAY FOOD

Lao cuisine draws almost exclusively on fresh foods —few homes traditionally have refrigerators and modern supermarkets are rare.
So many locals shop for daily supplies at the local Market, There are to local market is Nongmeangda and Ban Thin market which a small tables from several blocks south. It opens at 6:00 AM, leave by 6:30 PM. There, you’ll find every possible type of food regionally available, including an amazing mushroom selection Lao. Everything fresh is seasonal, so you won’t see everything every day. Keep an eye out for the delicate local way of binding everything from meat to herbs with bamboo.