Laos is a Southeast Asian country traversed by the Mekong River and known for mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements and Buddhist monasteries. Landlocked Laos is one of the world's few remaining communist states and one of East Asia's poorest. 80% of people work in agriculture mostly growing rice, the total population is only 6.7 million making it sparsely populated. Laos was a French colony until 1953.
The landlocked country of Laos with its capital in Vientiane is the perfect place to view ornate Buddhist temples, visit beautiful forests and try some delicious Laotian dishes. The most elegant Buddhist temple in Vientiane, Wat Si Saket, is close to the river's edge in the downtown area. The temple has a wall of 6,800 Buddha statues dating back 400 years.
Winding through the entire length of the country is one of the world’s great rivers, the Mekong. From the snows of the Himalayas, the river runs through six southeast Asian countries: Tibet, China, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The Mekong is the artery of life in Laos and is a trading route, a source of food and water, and a social centre for the settlements along its banks.
Laos is quite untouched by modern life and offers offers motorcycle touring at its best.
