(Translated by Google) There are many cute little monkeys in the parking lot 🐒 Transfer to the park’s transportation vehicle There are not many tourists but the waiting time for the bus is very long The scenery is beautiful and it doesn’t take long to climb the mountain. People who like temples can come (Original) 停車場有很多可愛的小猴子🐒 換搭園區的交通車 遊客不多但是等車時間非常長 風景很優美爬山的時間不是很久 喜歡寺廟的人可以來

(Translated by Google) A beautiful site of hanging temples and caves, far from the tourist routes. (Original) Très beau site de temples suspendus et grottes, loin des routes touristiques

(Translated by Google) There are not many stone carvings in Shibaoshan, there are mainly 8, and the others are too far apart. Baoxiang Temple is a temple built in the middle of the mountain. It climbs very high and is far from the city. You can combine the car with the Shaxi Visitor Center. Go there if you have more time. Otherwise, just visit the ancient city. (Original) 石寶山的石刻不多，主要8座，其它分佈太遠。寶相寺看半山懸空搭的廟，爬很高，距離城內遠，沙溪遊客中心可併車，時間多再去，否則逛古城就好

(Translated by Google) To see when you are in the area and by those who are interested in the somewhat complex religious history of Chinese Buddhism. Be careful for those who want to go back down on foot: the directions are not clear at all and the path quickly becomes longer when you get lost. (Original) A voir quand on est dans le secteur et par ceux qui éprouvent de l'intérêt pour l'histoire religieuse un peu complexe du bouddhisme chinisé. Attention à ceux qui souhaitent redescendre à pied: les indications ne sont pas claires du tout et le chemin est vite rallongé quand on s'égare.

(Translated by Google) The air is very good and the scenery is beautiful There is a shuttle bus available inside There are many relics left from the past Like a stone wall carved on the wall There are many temples👍 (Original) 空氣很好 風景很美 裡面有接駁車可以搭乘 那裡有許多以前留下來的遺跡 像是雕刻在壁上的石堀 還有許多廟宇👍

(Translated by Google) A slightly neglected site but one of the few that is not overwhelmed by the crowd. You will be dropped off at the entrance by your taxi and from there loaded onto a coach. It will take you to the caves with the Buddhas, reachable with a 20-minute walk in the shade. They are very beautiful. Once you reach the top, there are no clear indications. You will have to go down keeping the temple on your right and you will reach the other part of the valley, with the Lion Gate. Spectacular view. At that point you will return to the car park (go right on the asphalt road). There the bus will take you to the temple known for the presence of gibbons. The site is beautiful. There is work in progress (August 2019). Gibbons steal food bags from hands. However, avoid feeding them, so they won't follow you. Allow 4 hours for everything, even 5. (Original) Sito un po' trascurato ma uno dei pochi che non sia travolto dalla folla. Verrete lasciati all'ingresso dal vostro taxi e da lì caricati su un pullman. Vi porterà fino alle grotte con i Buddha, raggiungibili con 20 minuti di cammino all'ombra. Sono molto belle. Arrivati in cima, mancano indicazioni chiare. Dovrete scendere tenendo il tempio alla vostra destra e raggiungerete l'altra parte della valle, con il Lion Gate. Vista spettacolare. A quel punto tornerete al parcheggio (sulla strada asfaltata andate a destra). Lì il pullman vi porterà al tempio noto per la presenza dei gibboni. Il sito è bellissimo. Ci sono lavori in corso (agosto 2019). I gibboni rubano i sacchetti di cibo dalle mani. Evitate comunque di dar loro da mangiare, così non vi seguiranno. Calcolate 4 ore per tutto, anche 5.

(Translated by Google) From Shaxi Town, the Rural Passenger Transport costs NT$20 per person before departure. Tickets are 65 yuan per person Scenic area bus costs 20 per trip and 40 round trip Go back to the mountains for free It’s about 3 kilometers from Shaxi Town to the back mountain. It takes about 1 hour to climb up the mountain Self-hiking is priceless Photography is not allowed in the grotto. The back mountain grotto is locked. (Original) 沙溪鎮坐農村客運每人20滿車才能出發 門票每人65元 景區車單趟20來回40 走後山 不用錢 沙溪鎮走到後山大概3公里 爬山上去大概1小時 自我健行 無價 石窟不能拍照 後山石窟上鎖

One of the coolest places I've ever been, it's truly remarkable. If you like to hike I recommend taking the stairs on the left hand side after the first set of temples, it will lead you all the way to the top of the ridge line where there is a another temple -probably 400m of stairs.

One of the finest temples out there. Cute monkeys (not sassy) all around, amazing waterfall embedded with the temple in the most magical way possible. Wouldn't trade my visit there for almost anywhere in China, except maybe Yubeng which was on a level of it's own. The temple is part of a reserve with another temple, they are joined by a free shuttle bus, from the 2nd temple you can actually walk down back to the town area (not directly to town but close) in a beautiful path, just ask around for directions once you are at the 2nd temple. Expect a 3km or so way down in nature with some amazing views and a fleet of dragonflies to escort you.

(Translated by Google) After visiting the Shizhongshan Grottoes, we passed the temple and climbed up in one breath. It took thirty minutes to go back and forth. I was exhausted. (Original) 游完石钟山石窟后经过寺庙，一口气登上去，三十分钟一个来回，累都累死了

(Translated by Google) Magnificent temple hanging on the cliff. (Original) Magnifique temple accroché à la falaise.

This place is also good for families. If you love nature and want to relax a bit, you can come here. It takes about 30 minutes from Dali Ancient Town if you take Didi. You can buy organic items such as soap, essential oils, and perfume for souvenirs.

Specially built and decorated for tourists. The only highlight for this place is the reflecting pond. Other than that is not natural.

The place is a tourist trap. There are no butterflies in the pond, in fact we saw very few live butterflies in the park. All the exhibitions are actually shops. The park itself is nice enough, but not worth the entrance fee.

Love this place where I can try out my own easy stitching on that tied dye piece.

Good one time go..... Clear n clean water but didn't see any butterflies though

Nice place, worth a visit if it's on your way. I took a bus from dali and it was a bit to much in compare to what you get..

A bit felt time is wasted to visit here. But anyhow, it's nice for some walking if weather is good. 😂

Beautiful lake with mountains in the backdrop. There is an ecological corridor along the lake where you can walk/run/cycle, motorised vehicles are mostly prohibited. Good place to unwind and enjoy the scenery.

Taken on 21 Oct 2025. Temp about 15-23 degree. Cloudy and occasional rain. The scenic was amazing, very tranquil and clean. Many people rented buggies or bicycles to travel around the lake. We stayed at the west side of erhai lake, loved our room so much!

Erhai Lake. Very beautiful lake. Against the winter blue sky, the view is just like in New zealands lake. U can spend few hours here if u decide to rent bike and circle the lake. Otherwise less 1 hour is enough for photo taking and appreciating the nature. Caution : Public toilets here have NO DOORS . So do settle ur business before or after going here

Erhai Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province. Erhai is shaped as an ear is a plateau lake and near to Cangshan Mountains. Other than the lake, there is an old town located on the west shore and Wase Village on the east shore.

Lovely lake. Took a full day to go around with a guide/driver - stopped at a few towns and points of interest. Some spots were rather touristy - a rather curated experience. Would have preferred to be able to explore at our own pace with independence to go off the beaten track.

Erhai Lake in Dali, Yunnan, is a stunning and expansive body of water, covering 250 square kilometers. Known for its serene beauty and fresh air, it's a perfect spot for a peaceful retreat. The lake is surrounded by picturesque landscapes, including the majestic Cangshan Mountains. Renting a twin-bicycle is a popular way to explore the scenic lakeside paths and charming villages. Don't miss trying Mixue milk tea while enjoying the ride! The combination of natural beauty and local culture makes Erhai Lake a must-visit destination for travelers seeking tranquility and adventure

The lakeshore can be explored by hiking. Highlights include Erhai Park and the Butterfly Springs on the Western bank. Islands on the lake – including Guanyin Ge, Jinsuo Island (金梭岛; 'Golden Shuttle Island'), Nanzhao Folklore Island (南诏风情岛) and Xiaoputuo Island (小普陀) – are also available for visits. The lake is an important food source for the local people (Bais), who are famous for their fishing method: their trained cormorants catch fish and return them to fishmongers. The birds are prevented from swallowing their fish by rings fixed around their neck.

Beautiful lake with mountains in the backdrop. There is an ecological corridor along the lake where you can walk/run/cycle, motorised vehicles are mostly prohibited. Good place to unwind and enjoy the scenery.

Taken on 21 Oct 2025. Temp about 15-23 degree. Cloudy and occasional rain. The scenic was amazing, very tranquil and clean. Many people rented buggies or bicycles to travel around the lake. We stayed at the west side of erhai lake, loved our room so much!

Erhai Lake. Very beautiful lake. Against the winter blue sky, the view is just like in New zealands lake. U can spend few hours here if u decide to rent bike and circle the lake. Otherwise less 1 hour is enough for photo taking and appreciating the nature. Caution : Public toilets here have NO DOORS . So do settle ur business before or after going here

Erhai Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province. Erhai is shaped as an ear is a plateau lake and near to Cangshan Mountains. Other than the lake, there is an old town located on the west shore and Wase Village on the east shore.

Lovely lake. Took a full day to go around with a guide/driver - stopped at a few towns and points of interest. Some spots were rather touristy - a rather curated experience. Would have preferred to be able to explore at our own pace with independence to go off the beaten track.

Erhai Lake in Dali, Yunnan, is a stunning and expansive body of water, covering 250 square kilometers. Known for its serene beauty and fresh air, it's a perfect spot for a peaceful retreat. The lake is surrounded by picturesque landscapes, including the majestic Cangshan Mountains. Renting a twin-bicycle is a popular way to explore the scenic lakeside paths and charming villages. Don't miss trying Mixue milk tea while enjoying the ride! The combination of natural beauty and local culture makes Erhai Lake a must-visit destination for travelers seeking tranquility and adventure

The lakeshore can be explored by hiking. Highlights include Erhai Park and the Butterfly Springs on the Western bank. Islands on the lake – including Guanyin Ge, Jinsuo Island (金梭岛; 'Golden Shuttle Island'), Nanzhao Folklore Island (南诏风情岛) and Xiaoputuo Island (小普陀) – are also available for visits. The lake is an important food source for the local people (Bais), who are famous for their fishing method: their trained cormorants catch fish and return them to fishmongers. The birds are prevented from swallowing their fish by rings fixed around their neck.

Do visit the upper temple area first before going towards the areas of the three pagodas. You can't enter them but they are really visually quite aesthetically pleasing. Budget about 2-3 hours.

Site very unique in Dali, the 3 Pagodas are really a testimony of the Buddhist past of the City. They are the only ancient monuments of the site, dating back to the 9th century and surviving the earthquakes of the region. The other buildings/temples have been rebuilt/ realized by the government.

The Three Pagoda is located at north west of Dali Ancient Town. After visiting ancient town, can take 3 wheels scooter from ancient town to Three Pagoda, fare is about RMB15 and journey is less than 20mins. The Three Pagoda compound is very big and spacious. Walking up from main entrance to last building in a row will took about 2 to 3 hrs. Recommend to visit Three Pagoda whenever comes to Dali.

Beneath the wide Yunnan sky, where mountains watch and waters breathe, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple rise with timeless grace. Stand before them, and you don’t just see ancient towers—you feel a quiet pulse beneath your feet, the whisper of old kings and monks folded into the wind. The air is still, yet heavy with presence. Here, feng shui is not theory but lived reality. Cangshan Mountain cradles your back; Erhai Lake opens before you like a mirror of the soul. It is no accident the Dali kings built here—this is a place chosen by earth and spirit alike. If you close your eyes and play soft Buddhist music, the kind that floats gently through Beijing temples, the centuries seem to fall away. You’re no longer a tourist. For a moment, you are royalty, seeker, and pilgrim all at once. The central pagoda—graceful, golden, eternal—has stood for over a thousand years, through earthquake, war, and change. Around it, newer towers bow slightly, and the restored temple complex behind them offers quiet cloisters and incense-filled halls. Everything speaks in silence: the still lotus ponds, the wind in the pine, the prayer wheels turned by unseen hands. And then, a kind gesture: foreign visitors are welcomed freely—no fee, only a passport. It's a small door into a great world, one that honors respect more than revenue. Come not just to see, but to listen. Come not just to photograph, but to feel. The Three Pagodas are not just stone—they are memory made visible.

Wry peaceful place to see all 3 Pagodas (40m and 70m). Very nice garden area. Large Pagoda from Tang Dinasty 9th century and the small pagodas from early 14th century.

The entrance fee of 75 RMB is a bit steep to see the 3 pagodas. There are also a number of Chinese temples to visit. It can be quite sunny so remember to wear a hat and covered clothing.

A stunning succession of multiple gorgeous temples that only starts with the three pagodas, just keep on going up the hill. Can easily spend a whole day exploring. There’s a Buddhist vegan (蔡) restaurant on the premises to keep you fed whilst doing that. Free entrance for foreigners.

Slightly disappointing. Just the same trashy overpriced souvenirs and pushy sellers. The surrounding streets are actually more beautiful and more interesting than the so-called "famous" Foreigner Street.

Until 2000 had this street been the Centers of Hippies. Today is it a nice Touristic place with more than 100 Shops and Restaurants. Extremly nice also in the evening. It’s a very nice and Peaceful Shopping area.

There is no foreigners at Foreigners Street. In fact, all the action now concentrated at Red Dragon Well and the adjacent Dragon Well Stream Lane Walking Street and over there is much picturesque. The Foreigners Street has the East and West sections. If you see the mountains, that is the west. Activities are more towards that section up too Po Ai Road.

I love this place, many little beautiful store , has bar also at night. Starbucks also. Beautiful flower and blue sky. The building is so lovely

Really loved watching locals working out in the morning. Taichi, dance etc...

Amazing street to visit and eat local food. There are alot of bars showing live music

Nice place but lacks vintageness… best to visit Lijiang old city

The city was beautiful but really crowded at night. The 同质化/homogenisation of shops targeted at tourists was really serious and this place felt increasingly commercialized. You feel such a sense of deja Vu every 100 meters, and of course the loudspeakers blaring do not help.

I really enjoyed my visit here. The effort out into making this a tourist friendly location is pretty incredible. I went during golden week and it was BUSY lol very beautiful architecture all around and so much delicious food

A small ancient city in Dali. Worth to have a walk, do some souvenir shopping. There are many foods stalls, as well as cloths stalls. Coffee and tea lover can buy some stock here. Just, the toilet are not in good condition. It is open for public, but not well maintain. So, finish up your private business before come here

The street food so delicious but spicy, the people especially seller is not friendly, they always keep 1 emotion to talk :))) i dont know why. The fee for the tuktuk was high with tourist, becareful. Atmosphere at night fresh and cool, but the framework was not attract me too much…

The Dali Ancient Town is almost same as Lijiang Ancient Town. All the buildings and architectures are very unique. The walking ways are wider compared to that of Lijiang.

Dali Ancient city is an amazing place to explore. Alot of walking but i did see some rental electric scooters outside the city

It is a large city and so many things to see. Ascend to top of the gate to have a beautiful view.

It's good

(Translated by Google) Very nice hike where you can visit many Chinese temples (Original) Sehr schöne Wanderung bei der man viele chinesische Tempel besichtigen kann

(Reviewing based on 2 years ago) I don't know if it's because I read the book "Black Beauty" a few weeks earlier, but the elephant ride place as shown in the cover photo of this Google page looked like they were being put through slave labour and some seemed severely malnourished, compared to the elephants that were roaming freely nearby.

If you have any soul or compassion for animals, do not go here. This place has two elements: 1. It provides a genuine protected area for true wild elephants to roam. 2. It is a tourist attraction which exploits suffering rehabilitated elephants. I saw zero wild elephants on the walk through the reserve, and it's no surprise. Elephants are naturally shy and avoidant of humans, and tour guides have screaming tinny speakers to speak to their groups. It is overcrowded, and if I was an elephant I would have no interest in the noisy gawping humans who have invaded their territory. There are plastic bottles over the forest floor, dropped by tourists from the elevated walkway, and not picked up. The worst bit is this claims to be a sanctuary but exploits these highly intelligent and emotional creatures. In the information on the way in, it tells of rescuing the creatures from various horrible situations. These are the elephants that remain in the direct "care" of the "sanctuary". These elephants are paraded, literally in front of very large crowds in noisy environments. At the feeding station, I saw a row of elephants and an opportunity to buy a fruit basket to feed them. As I observed, the elephant clearly had had enough, and attempted to walk away. The mahout shouted at the elephant and it was forced to return to it's place as an overfed tourist attraction. I saw elephants who were swaying, usually a clear sign of trauma in the elephants who - unbelievably - were being disciplined for their natural trauma response. Finally, the elephants are made to perform in a circus style with very loud loudspeakers blaring and a gawping crowd of hundreds. If you know about the concept of "crushing" elephants, then the only way these "rescued" elephants would be doing this behaviour is through crushing. They were made to spray water at tourists, and rear on their hind legs, and many other tricks, while the staff member spoke about elephants' "care". I felt very sad going, and witnessing these majestic animals reduced to the whims of human entertainment. I have lived in China for a while, and while it leads the world in many areas, China's animal welfare standards are poor in comparison to some neighbouring countries, and this place is no exception. If you have any empathy, do not give your money to this veneer of animal welfare.

We were there at 09:00 sharp, and there was already a lot of people in the park. Unfortunately we didn’t see any elephants during our visit, but it only means they have somewhere to retreat. At 10:30 the park was full of noisy and misbehaving tourists, and guides with loudspeakers. How sad it was to see all the plastic and garbage, lying along the footpath through the forest. Mass tourism and greed have destroyed this pristine spot.

This is not a free space for the elephants. Only shows for people and tourists. They say they have the elephants free and with the less contact with humans but is not true. Don’t go there please, do not contribute to these dirty and inhuman business

Very good tiktok douyin profile : )

(Translated by Google) This is a unique place in China where you can interact with and feed elephants (Original) 这是中国独一无二的地方，可以与大象互动，喂食

(Translated by Google) Although there are elephant performances that are not very humane, this is a protected area mainly established to protect elephants. From December to March every year, it is easy to see wild elephants in the forest in the early morning and evening. Walk along the plank road or ropeway to the end and wait patiently for a while and it will appear. (Original) 虽然有大象表演不那么人道，但是这里主要还是为了保护大象建立的保护区。每年12月份至3月份，清晨和傍晚在森林里很容易能看到野生大象。沿着栈道或索道走到底，耐心等待一会儿就会出现。

(Translated by Google) Worth going again. (Original) น่าไปอีก

(Translated by Google) The weather is very hot. (Original) อากาศร้อนมากๆ

This park somewhat made me feel that i was in Thailand....interesting finds. But the place is overly crowded with tourists, both foreign n local dressed in traditional Thai costumes, taking poses at every nook and corner, detering genuine visitors from visiting the various highlights in the park.

Compact park with elephants, exotic birds, plants, shiny architecture. Great for a half-day outing.

Is a really nice park to walk around and spend the evening, local tourist mostly came here to take photo. Is a really big park so worth it! Similar culture to Thailand

Manting Park is a beautiful visit, magnificently adorned with gardens and temples. In Xishuangbanna South China close to the Laotian border, it is truly a remarkable experience.

Even though it's on the tourist route, this Buddhist temple with park attached is a must-see if you are in Xishuangbanna.

Nice park, very beautiful flowers and trees, lake, with cosy little resting places. We especially appreciated the tittle cottages, where you can sit with 4-6 people and have a table and a roof. Also we fed the fish, so many fish in that pond that they jumped over each other when feeding. That's worth to see. Boat hiring also possible and quite charming. We enjoyed elephant and birds show. We didn't had the impression the elephants where treat good, so one point deduction. The show was okay.

A beautiful park and temple complex. You can see it all in an hour or two. There's a nice cafe midway to cool off in. There is a dress code for the temple part. Ladies be prepared by taking a wrap or a shawl or you might be disappointed (and you can't get out of the park without walking all the way back - there is an exit via the temple.

One of the biggest garden in the world with over 12000 living spices of plants. Many plants are rare and hardly to be seen in other parts of the world. Need lots of walks, be prepared! And it will be more fun if hire a local guide to explain all the plants to you.

Very nice park with a lot of interesting plants. Definitely worth a visit.

With an AAAAA tourist rank, this is the biggest tropical garden in China, which is always a must-visit in China! I have lived here for my graduate program, and I couldn't be happier to explore the place everyday!

Quite expensive at around 100 RMB per person and a further 40 RMB for the electric shuttle bus which takes visitors around the extensive site. The gardens are filled with a wide array of tropical and sub-tropical plants and there also exists an untouched tropical forest area. Monkeys can also be seen swinging from trees in some parts of the park. Also worth a visit is the ethnic people's museum which houses examples of how some of the many ethnic groups that inhabit Yunnan used to live.

very nice

Worth visiting

(Translated by Google) Give it 5 stars! The service is very good. The garden is very big and there is transportation in the park to take tourists to various places. Because I don’t know much about plants, I can only watch the excitement. If anyone is beautiful, look at them and take some photos. There are many birds in the park, but unfortunately these birds are very sensitive and difficult to photograph. It's quite far from the city, but it's worth spending a day to go there, and you won't regret it. (Original) 给个5星！ 服务很好，园子很大有园区交通带游客前往各个地点参观。 因为不太懂得植物只能看看热闹，谁漂亮就多看看多拍几张照片。园区里面鸟类很多，可惜这些鸟特别敏感很难拍到。 这里距离市区很远，不过专门花一天时间跑一趟是很值得的，不会后悔。

Best adventure tour I've done in Southeast Asia! I did a 2 day 1 night trek, The jungle trek was challenging but rewarding - 6 hours through bamboo forests and mountain streams with excellent wildlife spotting. The guides were extremely knowledgeable, spoke excellent English, and shared lots of insights about local flora and fauna. They went out of their way to ensure we had a wonderful time! The village homestay was the highlight. Authentic Laos hospitality from our host family. What impressed me most was how genuine and sustainable this felt. Real cultural exchange, not performative tourism. Kayaking was pure adrenaline - navigating the winding river and enjoying the rapids! Perfect balance of adventure and cultural immersion. Book immediately!

Highly recommend. We took 2 day 1 night walking, jungle camp trip (including a quick visit at a village). It was AMAZING. I won't spoil it for you but the views are great, the guides very nice, good english speakers and great cooks! (really the meals were better than in restaurants in town). Because of the wetether the trekk isn't the easiest but it's not hardcore either. Take swimsuits and bio shampoo to bath in a river ;) You may consider leech socks but it's not a must have. Organisation is very good including transfer through river with kayaak. Enjoy your jungle experience!

Amazing 2-day jungle/kayack/homestay adventure! The trekking through the jungle was incredible - spotted cicadas, mongoose and loads of butterflies. Our guide also stopped to forage mushrooms for our dinner. The village homestay was pure magic. Our host family welcomed us warmly despite the language barrier. We learnt how to shoot a bamboo crossbow and even rice pounding. Kayaking down the muddy river surrounded by dense jungle was spectacular. It was the perfect mix of peaceful with some rapids for a bit of an adrenaline rush. Such a cool experience!

We went for the 3 days trek and kayaking and just had the best time. We were lucky to meet Thong and the whole guides crew who made this experience unforgettable. We were a groupe of six people, we trekked the first day, kayaked the second one and had a third day of walking in the jungle. The guides were very easy going and kind, they taught us a lot about the jungle and the people living in the area, they cooked three times a day delicious meals for us; we had a very good time. We paid 99 USD for the whole thing which was very reasonable and not that expensive if we look at the prices of other agencies in the city. Glad we made the choice to trust Discovering Laos !

We did the one-day jungle trek with our guide, Thong. It was an amazing jungle experience! The guide spoke English at a good enough level so we could understand everything. He let us try many different jungle foods, which was really special. The trek included a visit to a local tribal village, then around a 6 km walk through jungle, and afterwards another stop at another small village. The whole experience took about 8–9 hours. It’s a perfect option for those who don’t have the time for a two-day trek, like in our case. The lunch provided was something truly special – a real local experience. The food was prepared by our guide’s wife, and he carried it in his backpack the whole way. It was more than enough to fill us up, but it’s definitely for those who are open to trying local food the way the locals eat it. For us, it was absolutely perfect.

We had an amazing 2D1N trek and kayak with this company. Our guides Tong and Seong were the best. They cooked amazing fresh food with supplies from the market and jungle, they work wonders with bamboo building us cups, pots, spoons, chopsticks and shot glasses, as well as our shelter. Their English was amazing also. The gentleman in the shop was very helpful with information, not too pushy and very accommodating with requests and dietary requirements. I’d definitely recommend the jungle camp option as we had great fun building the shelter and cooking in the evening. Overall amazing experience and would highly recommend to anyone in the area.

We had a very good experience with discovering Laos. Since they don't have a physical office yet, the manager came to our hotel to discuss all the options. We immediately felt very comfortable and had a lot of options to arrange a trip to our wishes. We chose a two day trekking followed by one day of kayak. The first night we slept in a homestay and the second night in a campsite where we slept under banana leafs. Our guide, Toua, was very fluent in English and had a lot of knowledge about the local villages and life in the jungle in general. We had a great experience and would DEFINITELY recommend this company to anyone who wants a similar experience in the jungle.

Debating between 2/3 stars for this one. There were some great parts of this trip, and some really low lows so I'll elaborate a bit more below for anyone trying to decide what type of trip to go on: Context - we chose a 2 day/1 night Mountain Bike trip. We were here at the end of April/start of May. We booked the trip one day before via Whatsapp which was easy to arrange, and showed up early the next morning to get our bikes and pay. Pros - super easy to arrange. We were able to leave our big backpacks at the agency so we could just take smaller day packs for our ride. They provided lots of water for us to take with us. Our guide was super friendly, good guy, spoke good English and was able to tell us about the area. They accommodated our vegetarian diets, and the meals were delicious. We stayed in a small village at a "homestay", got a really authentic and unique experience. The chief of the village hosted us himself and we slept on a mattress on the floor in the same room as him and his wife. His wife cooked dinner and breakfast and even a takeaway lunch for us the next day. We got invited to a party at the school in the village, drank, and had a great time with the local villagers. Cons - when we asked how long the ride was expected to be, we weren't given a clear answer (which was ok, because we're competent bikers and were fine enough with the ambiguity). However, 8 miles in, our guide's bike broke so he could no longer shift, which meant he had to walk the uphill sections. Obviously this isn't his fault, but it became an important factor as the next 15 miles was going to be pretty much all uphill on muddy gravel. It turned out, none of our bikes were equipped to tackle how muddy the trail had become. Our first day ended up being half trek, half bike as the chain on my bike kept popping off, and our guide couldn't shift to get uphill on his. The second day, the downhills were again so muddy and slippery that it was dangerous to ride on, and uphill we were having too many technical issues until eventually while my partner was riding, the entire derailleur almost completely fell off (pics below). At this point, we were less than halfway back home, so our guide ended up trading bikes with us, and we rode his shiftless bike, while he walked our broken bike uphill, and then would ride without pedaling going downhill. We made it that way all the way back down the mountain until we got to pavement where we called the company to come pick us up. All this to say, it felt like a tour company should've had better foresight into the conditions of the roads and known that the bikes weren't equipped to handle such conditions. Our guide also should've called for a replacement bike as soon as his broke since we were still on pavement at that time and the issue had potential to be resolved. Instead the experience was a rather long and tiresome one, that resulted in two out of three broken bikes, a much harder than anticipated ride, and a shorter second day than planned. A little more information from the company, and better planning could've resulted in a much better trip. Sounds like the treks/kayaking are the way to go!

Thankyou Xai for an absolutely incredible experience, Xai & Mun have so much knowledge on the jungle and showed us how to forage different plants, food, and natural remedies. They really were the best guides, with kindness, care and incredible knowledge! The reason for the 4 stars is purely because the national park itself is lacking in wildlife and it shows☹️. If you are coming to immerse yourself in nature & local life this is 100% the trek for you (we did 4D3N) but there is not much animal wildlife in the park to see - many insects though! Thankyou again Xai & Mun, we are so grateful to have met you both 🙏

We did a two day trek with jungle-camping. The staff was very friendly and explained everything about the trip in detail. The trail was amazing and we almost didn’t meet other travelers. Our guides Ae and Wong were knowledgeable, caring (we were the only 2 vegans in the group and the food was great!) and very pleasant. The only downside on our part was that the cabin we slept in was very uncomfortable and the mattresses and sleeping bags provided were not in good shape.

I’m just back from the 3 day 2 nights forest tribe trek through the jungle. Xai and Puan were our guides and were absolutely exceptional!! Xai is the kindest, most generous person. He was always checking in with us and worked so hard providing amazing food for us every single meal! This trip exceeded all my expectations, it was a super authentic experience getting to explore the jungle and the ethnic minority villages. (And heads up the hiking can be challenging in parts and accommodation is quite basic but it’s all part of the journey!) Thank you Xai and Puan 💜

I did 3 days Wild Thrill Trek and I can only recommend for an authentic jungle and ethnic village experience, I was alone with the guide but I felt safe and comfortable. I enjoyed the food and the way it was prepared, I wasn't hungry at all. From my experience the company is reliable and trying to provide good service for the customers.

I went on a two day trek with the Hiker into the dense jungle in Nam Ha National Protected area. It was a fantastic experience. We trekked for 5 hours a day, ate our food off huge banana leaves and came across countless types of plants and insects. Our guides were great and knew so much about the jungle, having practically grew up there. We slept outside in a shelter, under a mosquito net in the middle of the forest. Awesome experience, even in the lashing rain. The agency provided all equipment and hire local people as guides and helpers. It's nice to know your money is going back to the people you have met along the way. If you are visiting Luang Namtha, this is a must do!

We did a 2 days trek and camping in the jungle with the Hiker. I really recommand it ! We had an amazing experience sleeping in the jungle. The Trek was fun. A bit more challenging than expected but the Guide waited for us and made sure that everyone was following and safe. 5 stars for our guides and especially Peng who cooked some delicious jungle meals. He showed us which plants we could eat and actually puted some in our plates. We felt safe and well guided and we had a great view of the jungle life.

I went one a 1 day Kajak adventure with Ethnic travel and it was amazing! In contrast to the other kajaking I previously did in Laos, this tour contained some white water rapids which were fun and exciting. The food prepared by our lovely guide was so tasty as well :) I highly recommend to book your next trip with them.

We had a fabulous, if challenging, trek through rubber plantations, jungle, farms and ethic villages culminating in a 5 hour kayak down multiple rapids interspersed with sections of calm clear water. The experience was amazing and the guides, particularly Mee, were extraordinarily skilled at preparing meals using whatever was at hand. Stews cooked in bamboo sections, spoons constructed from banana leaves, crowns woven from palms,keep cups decorated with flowers and inscribed with our names in Laoation script. It was challenging for our mid-sixties bodies, and we did hit an unusually wet day for the “dry” season. But all worked out well. The villages we visited and home stayed at were delightful and we have many wonderful memories. Mark & Sue

We did 2 day/1 night authentic tribe experience. It was very interesting and not to difficult. The agency understood our request of doing something meaningful but bot to strong. We are not the most fit but they adapt the walk to our pace. The trekking was very easy, with lot of breaks where our guide Kham told us a lot about flora, fauna and ethnic minorities culture. We get to spend a night in a authentic lantern village. The accomodations is very simple and there's no electricity nor running water. There's a river and you can use it for wash yourself. A real true experience! Thanks for your great help!

Had a fantastic 3 day 2 night jungle survival trek! A fun kayak ride led us to a beach where we a shelter frame out of bamboo and then covered it with banana leaves. Very satisfying experience!! A great jungle trek and a home stay.followed by a rigorous and challenging trek through the jungle while tackling two mountains. Very technical yet fun and rewarding! Highly recommend. Ask for Kham. Super guide!

Very unique experience in the national protected area. It is the best option to get immersed into the wild nature and the native ethnic villages. We did 2 days trekking and 1 day of kayak, staying one night in the jungle and the second night in a homestay. The kayaking was absolutely amazing. Our guide Pon was fantastic, very flexible, positive and it was very nice to talk to him! He has a lot to share :)

We went on a jungle trek, including an overnight stay, where we had to make our own sleeping arrangements. We were with our guide, Pai, and I must say he is the best cook in all of Laos. He is kind, very friendly, and truly finds joy in even the smallest things. He made a fire in the middle of the jungle, and we cooked on it. He also taught us how to fish and make utensils from bamboo. We had a barbecue with everything we could find around us. We slept in a bamboo shelter on banana leaves. Simply put, thank you, Pai, for this amazing experience! ❤️

We extended our stay in Luang Namtha to go to the 2 days trekking / 1 day kayaking and it was the best decision ever : the 3 days were awesome. The trek was very nice, we went through the Nam Ha national reserve. The rhythm was perfect : a bit challenging but with regular stops to get some tricks from the jungle, take a bath in a river, or taste some gift from nature. Our guides were amazing, they made us discover the jungle as a playground, they gave us a lot of explanations and cooked for us delicious traditional meals. The kayaking day was really great too. You can observe the local life from the river and the nature is really beautiful. About the nights we spent one night camping and one night homestay and it was really perfect. We definitely recommend the agency, so far it was our best experience in Laos!

It was so amazing. We did a 2day trek +1 day kajak. What an experience. Don't think about fancy stuff, but raw and real 👍🏼. Lot is just Wow-what a guide always happy and just so amazing. Also Pon super good guide. I would recommend bring some fruits or snacks with you. It's not too easy but it's totally worth it. Amazing experience and super company. We had a group of 7 people from different nationalities-brilliant.

Incredible experience with Forest Retreat Laos. We went on the 3 days (2 day hike and 1 day kayak) and we had a blast, mostly thanks to our great guide Lot. He was patient, funny and explained to us tons of things about the jungle in good english. Where he shone most was the food. He and his assistant cooked incredible dishes for all meals in the middle of the jungle. Some of the best food we had in Laos. It was also great to eat food directly foraged during our walk. Anyways, if going for a jungle hike, I wholeheartedly recommend this company - ask for Lot as your guide.

Had a great experience with Forest Retreat Laos. We had a lot of special requests and the tour was customized perfectly to our wishes, even though we were quite late to ask. The trip was organized great, beautiful views, delicious food, exciting adventures - we had so much fun and enjoyed our time a lot. Thank you very much!

Great experience with Khong, met some awesome people and had a great time. Point of improvement would be maybe slightly more food per person but it was enough. Getting more in touch with the local village we visited would have been nice, we had what felt like a very “western” experience there.

We really enjoyed our stay in Luang Namtha because of Thong‘s agency! We did 1 day of trekking and 1 day of cycling. Thong did adapt the tours very well to our wishes and we learnt a lot about the nature and Luang Namtha itself!

We did a 4 day trek and it was great! Before booking we’ve checked out few other companies next door but they charged much more than Forest Retreat and offered similar treks. Very good value (we paid under 300 USD for 2 people, the whole group was 4, other companies charged this and more per person!). Guides were also great - we had Kong (really funny guy, very knowledgeable, friendly) and Jai (he is amazing! Really good English, caring, helpful and a great chef - best tomato soup we’ve ever had!!! If you do the trek ask for Jai, he the best guide we’ve had when travelling in Laos, you won’t regret it!). We had a homestay and then 2 other camp stays, everything was comfortable, we had good vegetarian food cooked for us, camp was built too, water provided, enjoyed cosy evenings by the fire and night jungle noises. Treks were beautiful, quite tough to be honest (carrying your bag up the steep hill for many hours) but we enjoyed this challenge. Walked 5-6 hours a day, mostly up the steep hills. I’m sure they can tailor the trek for you but we wanted a good challenge and we got it :) Last day we joined a local Lao village for a ‘new built house’ ceremony - that was a super fun party, experience we could never replicate again. We highly recommend the company and guides.

I did the 3 day trekking (2 days walking, 1 kayaking) in the dry season (February) and I couldn't be happier. This trek will take you through different sceneries like tree forests, riverbanks, jungle, bamboo forests... You'll visit several villages and stay overnight in one of them getting to know their lives and sharing some lao lao. At some points the hike can be pretty hard, but it's all worth it when you get to the cabin next to the river, where the sky opens, there is nobody around and you finally feel in the middle of the jungle. The last day of kayaking it was easy and fun. Special mentions to our guide, which was very helpful explaining all kind of curiosities about the surrounding nature. To Lod, our official cook who prepared delicious meals every single time and even went fishing at night to let us taste some fresh fish, and to the villagers that accompanied us on every stage doing the heavy lifting. These guys really know how to survive in the jungle with little more than a knife and a bottle of lao lao!

One of my favourite place when i come to Oudomxay in the morning often come up to Pouthad to see the sun rise and the city it is such beautiful and relaxing

Hello, hello Leo here discover beautiful and useful places like this nice situated Wat with a fine view and wonderful motives around the sunset 🙂 The Buddha statue and the stupa in gold are fantastic sceneries if the last sunbeams touch them in golden light shining brights 😊 See self what you can enjoy in my following images a composition of light, shapes and sunbeams 😊 Highly recommended for nice evening get down place Leo 🙂

Basic temple with a very nice atmosphere. The climb up the hill was steep but very short. Can be done in 10 mins or so. Beautiful sunset.

Small Buddhist Monastery on the hill in Muang Xai following Theravada Buddhism.

Do not missed to visit.

Suggested Buddhist Temple (Wat) to visit

Very disappointing that they clearcut the lovely forest that was on the hill here. I regret donating money to this temple now.

We had a great day with the jungle fly zipline guys. They gave us enough time to do the ziplines and climbing things and helped us as much as we needed. It was a funny day with a lot of new experiences. We felt save and comfortable all the time. Everything was well organized. Also the boss of of this agency is polite and very helpful, because he helped us to organize a private car.

I did the half day zipline tour with them and it was a very good experience. I really enjoy my time during the activity and all the people from the staff was very nice. I highly recomend to do this activity if you go to Nong khiaw. Also the nature there is amazing, so it's the best place to do one activity like this!

It took me 2 hours to walk (during the day). There is a sign up the hill “camping not allowed without tour”. There was actually a tour so I was not allowed to sleep at the top so I walked 5 min. and pinched my tent on the trail (there are flat parts). Sunset was amazing. Entrance from the main road 50.000 Kib. People came also up from the other side (free entrance they said)

Amazing views. Worth the climb. Highly recommended to bring something against mosquitoes for the climate themselves and also for night. Also, the food that the guides make at the top is not so great, it would be better to just bring more food for dinner. The easiest way is just to book the trip through a local guide at the town.

We climbed this viewpoint separately from a tour and it was the best decision! We left around 4:10 in the morning and arrived at the top an hour later. It was not a difficult hike in the dark, we only had the flashlights of our smartphones and this was fine. The sunrise wasn’t that great when we went but still the views were gorgeous. We didn’t have to pay any fee to enter. Bonus tip: go for a delicious breakfast at Couleur Cafe afterwards - and take the breakfast set!! This was so good after the hike

Great hike and views, it took us about an hour and a half, slowly walking up. We started at around 8:30, was still cloudy but by the time we arrived clouds started to move away and we had great clear views.

A 90 minute uphill slog but very rewarding views. Not recommended after heavy rain.

50k entry. About 1 hr up and 45 min down. Bring a torch if you're coming down after sunset. Definitely worth it. Amazing 360 degree views

Very clean. Very peaceful. Only a handful of crowd - that too on a Sunday. Will take around 90 mins - 120 mins to hike up to the viewpoint. Can camp on top as well. But you will have to take permission earlier. Refer to pic uploaded by me for this location to see where you need to go for the required camping permissions.

2 cool caves to see if you can add it to your day trip. I wouldn’t come just for the caves there isn’t a lot to do here. If you’re passing on a tour then definitely stop and take the time to walk the 278 steps to the upper cave. Apparently there is approx 4000 Buddha statues across the 2 caves.

Positive: Lots and lots of Budda statues, not smelly and wet like some caves, two levels of caves with good steps to climb up, reasonably priced boat ride (15,000kip for small boat or 50,000kip for the big boat and cave entrance fee (30,000kip). Negative: no view of the Mekong or surrounding hills. Not for those who are more interested in the scenery rather than history, religion and ethnography. Suggestion to Management (hopefully they read this) : make a few more steps from the upper cave to the top of the cliff for a (probably fantastic) view of the Mekong and the surrounding hills.

These caves overlook the Mekong River, 25 km to the north of Luang Prabang, Laos. To get there would require a boat ride along the Mekong river, about two hours upstream from the centre of Luang Prabang. There are two caves noted for their hundreds of miniature Buddha sculptures laid on the shelves and all over the caves. Interesting visit

Lovely location beside the Mekong. Old historic location with thousands of Buddha statues . This limestone cave has a lower and upper part and well worth the climb.

A very cool place, and not too many steps to the top cave. There's not too much to them as you'd expect though. You only need 10 minutes to explore both caves. But they are in a incredibly beautiful spot on the Mekong River

I loved it there. Tip for solo travellers: The entry is 30K KIP for foreigners. Individual person boat ride is 25K KIP. The local shacks will ask you five times the price to get the ticket for you. Just don’t fall for it. Look for the ticket counter and buy yourself.

Pak Ou Caves in Luang Prabang northern of Laos offer a unique blend of natural beauty and spiritual richness. Take the boat ride across the river to the cave is scenic and beautiful nature along the Mekong River. The caves are filled with thousands of Buddha statues, which lend the space an almost mystical aura.

Really nice spot, an abandoned (?) monastery with a good view over the Mekong and downtown Luang Prabang. Some tables outside to have lunch or a lie down. Take the car ferry (10k) across the river and walk from there. Fairly steep steps. 20k entrance fee - if you’re paying to get in there then imo there should be running water and a toilet (there isn’t). For your 20k you also get entrance to the other working temples nearby which aren’t very interesting.

If you want to avoid the overwhelming crowds on Phousi Hill just come over here for the perfect sunset. Take the local car ferry (5.000 Kip per person - do not fall for any "offers" with private boats, they will try to charge up to 250.000) and walk about 15-25 minutes. You will pass through a nice village, which is way more authentic than the crowded City Center of Luang Prabang. Its a completely different world. There are quite a few small shops to buy snacks, beer etc. At the bottom of Wat Chomphet a lady will charge you 20.000 for the entrance fee, which is ok. After climbing to the top you will most likely enjoy the sundown with amazing views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong all by yourself.

Tiny little run down temple, a few steps to climb, but with absolutely stunning viewsof the Mekong and surrounding hills. And there is litterally no-one. We liked it so much that we went back two years later!

Wat was alright. You can buy ticket at bottom for 20k to see four temples. It’s cheap and all the temples are nearby so worth a visit if you have time to kill. I wouldn’t go out of my way to see this as they are all in disrepair. At the bottom we had two kids come to us and try to sell us flowers to put at the wat for 10k. I bought one but they brought three and walked all the way up with us. Ended up paying 30k for all but the kids kept talking to us and took pictures for us, if it’s a scam I don’t mind, was only $1.20 USD lol.

Wat Chomphet is situated on the opposite side of the Mekong River across from the town of Luang Prabang, and north of Wat XiengMan. There are two ways to get there by boat or by car. Both are by crossing by ferry and takes 5 - 10 minutes from the town. Wat Chomphet is around 3km from the town of Luang Prabang. It is one of the most magnificent temples in Luang Prabang. It is located on the Chomphouphet, which means on the hill top of Phet Mountain, overlooking the Mekong River and the town of LuangPrabang. It is a great place to appreciate the sunset. Open daily from 08:00 to 17:00. Traveling through the area, you will have a good opportunity to explore and learn the authentic ways of living of the local people -how they make their living and how they speak and dress. Moreover, there are a lot of places to visit, such as Wat Xieng Man, Wat Chomphet, Wat Longkhoun, Wat Thamsakkalin, Wat Hathsiew, Wat Kokpab and Wat Nongsakeo. According to the elders, the temple was built in 1888 by Phaya Sulisak Montee (The third Army General of Siam, Thailand) during the French colonization in Laos. The mural in the temple is a combination of Chinese and Thai arts. It is around 112 years old, with123 steps leading up to the temple. This temple had been used for the royal coronation ceremonies of Luang Prabang Kings when they succeeded to the throne. According to the local people, Wat Chomphet was named after the mountain called Phouphet or Diamond mountain because his Majesty the King Sayasetthathirath had a plan to build Wat Xiengthong there and he announced a decree to his people asking for those who were willing to contribute to the construction of Wat Xiengthong to kindly bring some diamonds, silver, gold and emeralds. But when they arrived in Luang Prabang, Wat Xiengthong was already completed. The local people were upset and decided to collect all the contributions they had prepared to erect Wat Xiengthong and left them in the area which is now called Phouphet or Diamond Mountain. In 1888, Phaya Sulisak Montee was appointed by Siam to be stationed in this area to attack the LanXang Kingdom of Luang Prabang (now Luang Prabang). Wat Chomphet was constructed by Phaya Sulisak Montee to commemorate himself. The highlight of the main building is the ceiling decorated with paintings of a swan and a dragon, which were symbols of good luck for him. This temple was also renovated by Luang Prabang and Thai artisans several times. Wat Chomphet is one of main tourist attractions in Chomphet district.

Wat Chom Phet This very dilapidated temple, with its two-tiered roof devoid of tiles and beams open to the sky, is worth the climb for its outstanding crimson painted ceiling both above the verandah and within the sim.

Long climb to the top, but worth the effort.

A beautiful Wat. No other way to describe it. Last visited in 2018 and just as beautiful as then, perhaps with a little more tourists. Personally found the late afternoon light was best choice for photos. Peaceful, charming and a little slice of Buddhist Laos.

Entry fee for tourist 30,000 LAK. If you want peaceful or try to avoid large crowds of Chinese tourists visit the earliest between 6am to 7am (during alm offering) or around 11am to 1pm where most tour groups left to the waterfall. If you want to see the reflection of the Tree of Life, prepare yourself hours before sunset. You will have to deal with loud Chinese tourist group try to take your perfect spot. Please respect the place, follow their dress code (no tank top, no short, no short skirt)

This temple is incredible! It is among the most beautiful ones that I have seen in SE Asia. Full of gold and decorations in- and around the main temple and its neighbouring temple. Best to visit at end of the day, since it is quiet then. During the day, it can be busy with busses full of (mainly Chinese) tourists that visit this temple with a tour in big groups.

Wat Xieng Thong is a stunning temple, famous for its elegant, low-sweeping roofs and intricate mosaics. Located where the two rivers meet, it’s a peaceful, must-see spot for anyone interested in classic Laotian architecture and culture.

There are so many temples all over Luang Prabang it is hard to say one is better than another, and generally this one is pretty good. They don’t seem to do much to repair damage to worn areas.

Wat Xieng Thong located at the northern tip of the peninsula of Luang Prabang is a temple built by King Setthatirath around 1560. It occupies fairly large grounds and the main temple is lavishly furnished and beautiful. It served as a royal temple and a significant site for religious ceremonies, embodying the spiritual and artistic heritage of Laos.

worth to spend up to 30 mins to pass by, but unfortunately, no much info to know more about the history of this temple. Paying small entrance fees to help reserve this historical site.