Introducing Udomxai
Udomxai is a booming Laos-China trade centre riding on imported Chinese wealth. Although few people visit Udomxai as a tourist destination, it’s an important northern crossroads where Rtes 1, 2 and 4 intersect. Thus it’s difficult to avoid if you’re travelling to Luang Nam Tha or Phongsali from points south.
Advertisement
After roughing it through some beautiful countryside along the Mekong River and along Rte 2 from Pak Beng (or from the east via Nong Khiaw and the Nam Ou), the town seems fairly bland. Modest in size, it features tidy asphalt strips lined with modern buildings and some very comely houses. More traditional thatched houses are spread across the rim of the valley towards the base of the surrounding mountain range. If you get off the main street you can find some very picturesque villagelike sections.
The town is roughly 60% Lao Thoeng and Lao Soung, 25% Chinese and 15% Lao Loum. Thousands of Chinese workers may be in the area at any one time, and the Yunnanese dialect is often heard more than Lao in the cafés and hotels.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Tips & articles
-
Pioneering territory: the Chom Ong caves
4 November 2009
It’s always exciting visiting somewhere that’s not yet on tourist itineraries, particularly somewhere that hasn’t even made it into a...
-
Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled Laos itinerary
4 November 2009
Luang Prabang makes a wonderful introduction to Laos, and with increasing numbers of direct flights from Vientiane,...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
Re: anyone planning on trekking in Phongsali?
by begopop 20 August 2011
13 days seems little time if you want to get to phongsali I think... I can only give you my experience these days. My route: Chiang Kong…
-
RE: Laos Itinerary
by wanderingstraycat 08 August 2011
Muang Sing > Xieng Kok = ~2.5h (direct; add waiting time if need to transfer in Muang Long) might want to consider trekking in Muang Long…
-
Laos Itinerary
by Julie_L 08 August 2011
Hi all, This is a very rough itinerary for 30 days in Laos. Are there any places that are similar (so that I only need to go to one of…
Hotels & Hostels
Check out all our reviewed and recommended accommodation and book online.
Advertisement
