Live Your Best Lives
The next day: We drove to the Jino Mountain Rainforest for hiking early in the morning. We made an appointment with a Jino guide in advance. It took us more than half an hour to reach the small town on the roadside at the entrance of the village. The guide was actually waiting for us on the roadside. We first bought overshoes and then went to their village - Baduo Village. It was almost Chinese New Year and the whole village had just slaughtered two cows and was dividing the cows in the square. It was a primitive atmosphere. The villagers are all Jinuo people, and they say they still have a system of shared distribution. Our guide's name is Youzhou. They don't have surnames. The Jinuo were officially recognized as a single ethnic group in 1979, the last ethnic group to be recognized in China. The Jinuo population in China is over 20,000. They appear to have a language but no written language. Our guide explained that they were previously considered a single tribe. We followed our guide up the mountain to an intersection, where we parked and began our rainforest hike. There are two hiking routes here, 4km and 8km. We took the 4km route with my mom and baby. Our guide, a knife strapped to his waist, led us downhill, through the rubber forests on the hillside, and finally to the valley floor where we began our tropical rainforest adventure. We basically went downhill, waded through the water, played, ate, and climbed, all while walking through the rainforest. This is the territory of the Jinuo people. The valley also had some village-built activities, such as swings, tree climbing, and bamboo rafting, all included in the guide fee. My baby had a blast.
Leaving the rainforest, we drove back to Jinghong. It was still early, so we wandered around. For dinner, we went to the Wa King Banquet. There was a dirt road in front of the restaurant, and I thought I had taken the wrong turn. I only realized I had to find my way there when I got there. Fortunately, there were still seats available. After making a reservation, we went to the village on the roadside. Most of the business owners in the market were from Northeast China. We bought some fruit and had dinner. The Wa King Banquet is indeed a good business. Its main dish is donkey meat, but the taste was so-so. The main purpose is to experience the Wa customs. Guests are greeted with joy as soon as they enter the door. In the evening, there are toasts and bonfires. Anyway, it is very lively.
I couldn’t wait for the 8:30 bonfire, so after watching the toast, I took my baby back to the hotel to rest early. Day 3: The weather was beautiful. We left Jinghong and drove early this morning to Jingmai Mountain. Just designated a World Heritage Site last year, Jingmai Mountain is known for its Pu'er tea culture. The 100-kilometer drive took less than four hours. After exiting the highway at Menghai, we drove slowly, enjoying the cheap and delicious sugarcane along the road. We entered the Jingmai Mountain area around noon. This area is part of Pu'er, and the scenery along the way is breathtaking. There's no entrance fee, but there will be a checkpoint to check if tea is brought into the core area. The last dozen kilometers of mountain road are entirely stone-paved and a bit bumpy. They say asphalt pavement is prohibited to prevent soil contamination. We drove slowly and met local villagers at the observation deck. They were very polite and welcoming, explaining the attractions without any commercial push. It was a very pleasant experience! Jingmai Mountain is located in Huimin, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Pu'er City, in the southwestern border of Yunnan Province, China. It borders Menghai County, Xishuangbanna to the east and Myanmar to the west, marking the border between Xishuangbanna, Pu'er, and Myanmar. It's said that in the past, due to poor roads, it was much easier for villagers to travel to Myanmar than to Kunming. Jingmai Mountain, renowned for its Pu'er tea, boasts 14 traditional villages, divided between the two administrative villages of Jingmai and Mangjing. Jingmai Village includes eight traditional villages: Jingmai Dazhai, Nuogang, Bangai, Mengben, Manggeng, Laojiufang, Nanzuo, and Longbang. Mangjing Village includes six traditional villages: Wengji, Wengwa, Mangjing Shangzhai, Mangjing Xiazhai, Manghong, and Nanai. Together, they form the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Garden, covering 28,000 mu (approximately 10,000 mu). Tea from each village is sold as "Jingmai Mountain Pu'er Tea," and the mountain, covered in ancient tea trees, is a truly beautiful sight. Following the villagers' suggestion, our first stop was Nuogan Ancient Village.
Day 4: The weather was great. The most important thing to do this morning was to buy train tickets from Boten to Luang Prabang. I grabbed them right on time at 7:30 Beijing time. They were much easier to get than the domestic trains. Having the tickets in hand gave me peace of mind. We first went to the nearby Wat Ongyi to watch the sunrise. There weren't many tourists, so it was quiet and beautiful.
Continue walking back along Mangjingxiazhai and pay homage to the Tea Ancestral Temple.
Visit the Princess Banyan Tree at the junction of Lower and Upper Villages.
Jingmai Mountain is definitely worth a visit. On the way back, I passed by the Wengji Ancient Village and checked in at the Wengji Tea Tree King in the Tea Tree King’s house. It is said that the tea I bought was from the trees next to the Tea Tree King.
Finally, we arrived at Jingmai Dazhai and took a look at the remains of the Ancient Tea Horse Road (East Gate of Dapingzhang Ancient Tea Forest).
The trip to Jingmai Mountain was successfully completed.
In the afternoon, we returned to Xishuangbanna Airport and took a taxi directly to the Tropical Botanical Garden after returning the car. We stayed at the Wanglian Hotel in the evening. The hotel is located in the botanical garden and everything is good, but it is inconvenient to go out and it is difficult to get a taxi. There are also few shuttle buses from the hotel to the north gate of the botanical garden at night. The hotel only had a buffet, and ordering had to be after 8:00 PM, so I decided to give up. I couldn't get a taxi, so I just happened to catch the shuttle to the North Gate, which went smoothly. The Wanglian Hotel shuttle bus usually goes to the North Gate suspension bridge of the Botanical Garden, which is a transfer hub. Once you cross the suspension bridge, you're out of the Botanical Garden. We went to the small town to find food. My wife and I had been here over a decade ago, and she'd always remembered the wild vegetables at the entrance to the botanical garden. We walked around town and found the Daixiang Wild Vegetable Restaurant, which was delicious and affordable, highly recommended.
Day 5: This time, we went to the botanical garden mainly to sign up our baby for a few study tours there. I made an appointment with the teacher to go to the vegetable market early in the morning to see tropical vegetables and local customs. The market is not big, and there are all kinds of chicken, duck, fish and meat. It is quite relaxing to walk around and look around. After buying ingredients, we returned to the hotel and the baby made a creative dish by himself. I feel that the knowledge content of the morning market class is not very large, and older children may need to be more creative. We took a break at the hotel at noon. I went back to the vegetable market to buy some bamboo rice and grilled food, which we packed up and took back to the hotel. We all enjoyed the meal very much. After dinner, I took my baby to feed peacocks. Later, we explored the National Flower Garden near the hotel. The botanical garden nearby was packed with people, so Mom gave up on visiting the east section and took my baby for a leisurely stroll through the west section. We had a botanical class at 2 p.m., nearly four hours long. My baby was delighted. The teacher showed us the various plants in the botanical garden and explained the characteristics of this tropical area. The only regret was that the Victoria amazonica flowers were very small in winter.
The evening tour of the Botanical Garden lasted just over an hour, observing the garden's insects and birds. During the student holidays, dozens of groups joined us every evening, and the instructor gave two lectures each night. With so many people, we couldn't use flashlights and had to follow the instructor's instructions. The instructor was quite relaxed, discussing everything we saw, including various insects, giant katydids, and quite a few sleeping birds. Finally, looking at the sky, the instructor explained the various constellations, incorporating the starry skies of Banna. While the starry sky wasn't as dazzling as the one we'd seen at Jingmai Mountain a few days earlier, it was still quite breathtaking. Overall, the information wasn't extensive, and the depth wasn't great, but as a top-tier botanical garden, it's definitely worth a night out. We had a great time at the botanical garden after a full day of study.
Day 6: We left the botanical garden early in the morning. We got a taxi without any problems and headed directly to Wangtianshu (Wangtianshu), a somewhat remote area, so we left our luggage at the service center. To enter the scenic area, take a boat first and walk along the Nanla River. The 4.3-kilometer waterway has nice scenery. The Nanla River is the last tributary of the Lancang River in China. The boat stopped at the rainforest pier. There were all kinds of barbecued food on the shore. You could eat first and then go sightseeing. We hiked into the scenic area, strolled through the various plants, and enjoyed some miracle fruit ice cream. Not far away was the canopy walkway, adjacent to the Linnaeus Laboratory. My wife overcame her fear of heights, so we joined the tree walk. The canopy walkway was fantastic. Amidst the dense, pristine rainforest, densely populated trees—parashorea chinensis, an iconic species representing Southeast Asia's tropical rainforests—tended to rise from their towering trunks, reaching 70 to 100 meters tall. A 36-meter-high canopy walkway snaked through the air. Originally used for scientific expeditions, this walkway has been visited by countless scientists from around the world.
Mohan is a small border town, and we came here with the intention of traveling to Laos the next day. After getting off the highway and registering, we smoothly drove along ASEAN Boulevard to our B&B, Yunxi B&B, to rest. ASEAN Boulevard runs through the entire town. This B&B is located in an area of self-built villas. The owner has decorated it beautifully, the cleanliness is excellent, and the amenities are excellent. It was truly unexpected! My baby even said it was a five-star B&B. After dropping off our luggage, the owner directed us to a fork in the road to see the new national border. Freight vehicles use this area, so it was very dusty and looked like it wasn't fully completed yet. There were few people around, so we took some photos.
Going back to ASEAN Boulevard, on the eve of the Chinese New Year, there were many people eating on the roadside. Many barbecue restaurants had started preparing for their evening business. We saw a restaurant in front of the Yilai Hotel on the roadside and went straight in for dinner. The proprietress was very polite; she owns the restaurant. It was quiet on New Year's Eve, and the hotel parking lot was full of mainland Chinese drivers heading to Laos. The kitchen prepared some delicious home-cooked meals. The proprietress even gave us a freshly slaughtered roasted New Year pig, which was both delicious and affordable. My wife said it felt like the proprietress was treating us. During the meal, she even asked for some advice on border crossings, which was quite nice. After lunch, we returned to the hotel and rested well, preparing to depart for Laos the next day. Day 7: I woke up early and went out alone to find an electric scooter, buy some breakfast, and check the border crossing, which didn't open until 8:30. After returning to the hotel, we packed our bags, had breakfast, and prepared to leave for Laos. Taxis were difficult to find, so our driver drove us to the border crossing. A scalper at the gate exchanged 2,000 RMB for 6.2 million Laotian kip. The border crossing isn't very large, and the joint inspection building isn't large either. We only had to go through the security checkpoints, and no health declaration was required. When getting our passport stamped, they asked in detail about the child's relationship and identity, and even had a conversation with him. The Chinese customs service was very responsible, and the exit process was very smooth. After exiting the building, I heard there were free cigarettes on the second floor of the duty-free shop nearby, but I looked around and didn't see any. We took photos at the border crossing and hiked 200 meters to the China-Laos boundary marker. There's a marker numbered 29 on each side. Beyond that, we reach the Laotian border. There's an electric car available to take us to the Laotian joint inspection building, and we took a ride. Honestly, it's only a 200-meter trip, and at 5 RMB per person, it wasn't worth it. My baby was wearing the frangipani headpiece she bought at the botanical garden, and she had a great time visiting Laos. There are a few things to note about Laos immigration customs. There is no security check here, so everything is free. There are many self-driving tourists, and there is a set process for people getting off the car, which seems not complicated. The hostess where we had dinner the previous day told us that tipping was completely optional, but the money changers at the border gate would charge a small fee, calling it a stamping fee. My wife and I decided to challenge the no-tip customs process. Before we entered the building with our luggage, we saw a counter and staff collecting the so-called stamping fee. A sign below said it was for the Laos Tourism Fund, about 10 RMB, and there was a receipt. Many unsuspecting travelers paid this fee. We asked if it was mandatory, and were told it was voluntary and had nothing to do with customs. The staff were quite polite. We declined the fee and went straight into the joint inspection hall, queuing for customs. On the right side of the hall was the visa-on-arrival window, which cost about 200 RMB and was very convenient, with immediate access. There weren't many other tourists, so when we got to the window, the customs officer asked for a 10 RMB service fee each, claiming we hadn't filled out our entry forms. We inquired, and were told we could fill them out ourselves and didn't have to pay. My wife and I decided we couldn't tolerate this unwarranted fee and searched the small hall for our entry forms, but couldn't find any. I found the immigration forms on a table behind the customs stamping counter. There were also staff there. I asked for four immigration forms. The staff handed them to us without any hesitation or fuss. My wife filled them out quickly and even helped some other passengers in transit. One of us was traveling by car. Our family of seven, halfway through, collapsed and decided to just pay the service fee and cross the border. My wife made two mistakes while filling them out, so I simply asked for two more forms. It went very smoothly. After filling out the forms, I lined up at the counter and got them stamped. The staff at the immigration form desk behind the stamping counter carefully checked the information on the forms. Thankfully, everything went smoothly. I observed that if there were any mistakes on the forms, the staff would charge a ten-yuan service fee or something, but you could probably fill them out again. The staff were quite polite, taking advantage of the information asymmetry and encouraging you to pay the service fee. They weren't overly aggressive. I heard that these tips were also bonuses for the staff. I've read that Laos can be quite corrupt. My mom was so nervous that she wanted to tip us during the customs process, and we lost half an hour filling out the forms, but we persevered and were quite happy. It seems that this treatment is really for Chinese inbound travelers, while European and American tourists seemed to have a smooth customs clearance. After passing through customs, you'll reach Boten, Laos. The national gate, with the Shwedagon Pagoda behind it, is very Laotian. This area is part of the Mohan-Boten Economic Cooperation Zone, and the Chinese language and RMB are all Chinese elements. The skyscrapers and concrete roads were all built by China. Across from the customs is a row of small shops selling money exchange, phone cards, taxis, and more. My wife exchanged some money; the exchange rate for cash is slightly higher than WeChat transfers. She also bought a SIM card, which was a few yuan cheaper than the one I'd bought on Taobao. It came with 30GB of data for 10 days, which was definitely enough. We chatted around and found out there was a food court not far from here. The SIM card holder temporarily dropped off our luggage there and headed over on foot. The restroom at the checkpoint parking lot surprisingly charged 2 RMB per person, which was a bit annoying. We walked a short distance along Lao-China Friendship Street and found a street of restaurants. For our first meal, we had Lanzhou ramen. The price was practically the same as back home; it felt like a Chinese enclave. After dinner, we returned to the border and collected our luggage. With 50,000 kip per person, the four of us chartered a car to the Boten high-speed rail station. The five-kilometer journey to the train station was a quick one. The entire road was cement, but once past the station, it was noticeably dirt. Driving to Luang Prabang takes four to five hours, but our high-speed train only takes a little over an hour. The waiting room was entirely made in China, as were the security checkpoints, the boarding process, and even the freight cars on the tracks. The high-speed train was a Fuxing high-speed train, operating once a day from Kunming to Vientiane. We boarded the bus and set off. The journey was through tunnels all the way and we arrived in Luang Prabang on time. As soon as we left the train station, the weather was scorching hot. It was completely summertime here. Taxis here are mostly vans. Shared rides cost around 50,000 kip per person, while chartered rides are 300,000 kip, and they'll take you to any hotel in Luang Prabang. We decided to hire a car, and surprisingly, there's a dedicated person to collect the money and give the ticket—a very formal experience. We arrived safely at our hotel in Luang Prabang and booked the Maison Dalabua. While the room wasn't very large, the ambiance was stunning, reminiscent of a tropical rainforest. The service was excellent, and the restaurant is even UNESCO-recognized. The lotus pond at the entrance is famous, with beautiful water lilies. We also booked dinner for the next day, featuring Laotian cuisine. After a quick refreshment, we went for a walk. Luang Prabang is a small city. The entire city was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1995. Prabang (also known as Louangphrabang) is a renowned ancient capital and Buddhist center of Laos, a key city in Upper Laos. As the capital of Luang Prabang Province, it is located at the confluence of the Nam Khan River and the Mekong River. In the 13th and 14th centuries, it was home to the Lao Ting people. King Faang of Lan Xang defeated them and proclaimed himself King of Chuandong, making the area a cultural center for the Lao people. In 1353, Faang unified Laos and established the Lan Xang Kingdom, making it his capital and renaming it Chuandong (meaning "Golden City"). In 1560, the city was renamed after the Khmer-inspired Prabang Buddha statue it enshrined. It is a Laotian national treasure. Luang Prabang served as the capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom (Mong Sao), the Lan Xang Kingdom (Nan Zhang), and the Luang Prabang Lan Xang Kingdom. From 1945 to 1975, the Laotian Kingdom established its capital in Vientiane, but Luang Prabang remained the royal capital. Today, it is a beautiful town, with numerous foreigners roaming the streets. We walked along the road to the central district, which is now a pedestrian street and night market at night. We strolled along, enjoyed tropical drinks, and inquired with various travel agencies about the local itineraries before heading back to the hotel to book our tours for the next day. The typical tour agency arrangement here is a 5-6 hour round trip, with a van to Kuang Si Falls, elephant viewing along the way, and a few random tours. The cost is around US$50. The driver, who doesn't speak English, doesn't have a guide. Next to the night market is Phu Si Mountain, accessible from across from the Royal Palace Museum. Tickets are affordable. While the mountain isn't high, unlike the famous mountains and rivers in China, it offers a great view of Luang Prabang. There are 327 steps to the summit, where Chomsi Pagoda stands. Time your trip to watch the sunset over the Mekong River. The summit is packed with people, including foreigners, and even more than the New Year's Day sunset at Huangshan. While there are plenty of mosquitoes, the scenery is truly stunning, and the Mekong River is beautiful.
Walking all the way back to the hotel, we encountered Chinese-speaking travel agencies whose quotes were extremely inflated, so we simply ignored them. Upon arriving at the hotel, we spoke with the front desk and learned that a van tour of Kuang Si Falls, with the return trip to see elephants and drink buffalo milk, would cost around $50 for 5-6 hours. A tuk-tuk would cost 800,000 kip. We decided to try the tuk-tuk tour and planned to leave at noon the next day to visit the falls.
Day 8: We slept until dawn. We didn't go to Lao Cai to give alms. We had breakfast by the lotus pond and had dinner booked there that evening. The restaurant was called MANDA de LAOS, which specializes in Laotian and French fusion cuisine. The lotus pond here is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A closer look reveals its beauty, but I feel the standards for this World Heritage site are a bit low compared to those in China. I guess the UN needs to strike a balance. Having breakfast by the pond was quite pleasant. The hotel is primarily populated by European and American tourists, focusing on leisure and vacation. After dinner, we wandered around, starting with Wisunarat Temple, the oldest temple in the area.
This ancient temple holds considerable status, as the famous Prabang Buddha statue was once housed here twice. Within the temple grounds lies a towering lotus stupa, built in 1903 by order of the then-queen. Adjacent is Wat Aham, unenclosed by walls. Explore the temple, home to the elders of Theravada Buddhism in Laos. The Bodhi tree in the courtyard is a beautiful sight, and the temple grounds are tranquil.
The driver arrived on time. Luang Prabang is primarily a tourist destination, but he was very polite. The road was a dusty one, a dirt road, and we sped along along the Mekong River. The road was packed with tourists heading to Kuang Si Falls, using tuk-tuks, vans, motorcycles, and bicycles. The tourists were all very cheerful and greeted each other. We arrived smoothly in about 40 minutes. The entrance fee was 20,000 kip, and a shuttle bus was included.
Entering the scenic area, we first visited the bear sanctuary. The vegetation was lush, and there didn't feel any particular protection. We soon reached the pool below the waterfall, a multi-tiered, beautifully clear pool. I had initially assumed foreign waterfalls were just like that, just a check-in. After all, we'd seen the karst landforms of Guizhou and Guangxi. I didn't expect this waterfall and the pool below to be so beautiful. It felt a bit like Huanglong, and the water quality was absolutely perfect. My mom was thrilled, and the surrounding rainforest was beautiful too. The pool is great for swimming, and the foreigners are quite unrestrained, diving and swimming, so I came prepared. The scenic area is fantastic for fun. We walked around and saw many people swimming in the three pools below. The waterfall isn't too big, but the drop is still pleasant.
I found a Chinese clothing store owner and exchanged 3,000 yuan for him. The owner asked us to transfer the money directly to his domestic account via WeChat and did not accept cash. The exchange rate was good, 1:3100. I guess he laundered the money back to China directly. His business is good. We rode our motorbike back to the hotel to check out, and then began our motorbike tour with my mother and baby. The electric scooter was indeed convenient, and we arrived at Wat Xieng Thong, just a few kilometers away, in no time. This is considered the busiest and most magnificent temple in Luang Prabang's ancient city, and is often visited by tourists. Built by King Setthathirat in 1560, it remained the royal family's private property until 1975. Wat Xieng Thong is located near the Mekong River. The coronation, wedding, and funeral ceremonies of successive kings were held here. The first building upon entering houses the king's funeral utensils, and you can also see the magnificent hearse. The temple is not very large, but it houses several buildings and pagodas. The interior of the main hall is magnificent, and the back wall is inlaid with a magnificent Tree of Life pattern.
The Royal Palace opened at 1:30 pm, and we went in for a tour. The Royal Palace Museum, built in 1904 and located in the city center, was originally the residence of King Sisavongvong. It served as the residence for successive kings until the monarchy was abolished in 1975, when the palace was converted into the Royal Palace Museum. A statue of King Sisavongvong can be seen on the left side of the courtyard. The building on the right is magnificent, housing a golden Buddha. This statue was a precious gift from the Khmer Empire to King Fa Nguyễn, the founding king of the Lan Xang Kingdom, in 1356. It was named "Prabang," hence the name of Luang Prabang. Visitors can only view the temple from outside, but are not allowed to enter. The gatekeeper said they could place money on a plate and bring it inside. Fine! I put a small amount in to make merit. The large building in the center of the courtyard is a museum, housing items and decorations from the king and queen, as well as their bedrooms. It's not very large overall, but the exhibits are quite exquisite, offering a good opportunity to learn about Laotian history.
The mountain is not high, and the path is all dirt. You need to use your hands and feet to climb all the way. My baby is quite strong and climbed alone, while my mother and wife took it easy. We reached the top in 40 minutes, and the view was truly breathtaking. There are two motorcycles at the top for photos. Not far away, you can see another peak with two airplanes on it. That's Airplane Mountain. The surrounding area is reminiscent of the Wanfenglin Forest in Guizhou in the past, so it's worth the climb. The mountain requires some stamina, especially on rainy days. The path is dirt, and the handrails are bamboo poles. The summit section is basically a crawl. While it's not very suitable for the elderly and children, anyone with healthy limbs should have no problem climbing.
My wife and I took a boat and followed the guide to row along the Nansong River. The scenery on both sides is good, and the current is not too fast, but occasionally there are rapids in the shoal. It is relatively safe with the guide, and I also saw someone capsize and fall into the water. Everything is very happy. The whole journey is 5 kilometers. Look at the scenery and paddle slowly. It is not too tiring. The mother and the baby played the whole time and landed smoothly with the help of the guide. Not far from the shore is the kayak owner's shop, which is only a few hundred meters away from the hotel. I gave the guide a tip of 100,000. The Thai guide was very happy. After walking around this rural town, there are several hotels in the town along the Nansong River that are quite good. We found a restaurant on the roadside and had lunch. We had seen the train before and had a lot of tickets left. We changed our reservation for the evening train to the afternoon so that we could go to Vientiane for dinner. After eating, we walked back to the hotel to pack our luggage. My wife took the baby to buy Korean fried chicken. There are too many Koreans here. There are chain Korean fried chicken restaurants on the street. They should be authentic. The fried chicken my wife bought was probably due to language communication problems. It was too spicy and exciting!
My baby likes to eat the Heluxue Dafu in the waiting hall of the train station. I have eaten it all the way from Boten to Luang Prabang. Now I have eaten another one at Vang Vieng Station. It is also perfect.
I got on the train smoothly, ate spicy fried chicken, and arrived in Vientiane smoothly.
My wife has prepared the taxi-hailing software Indrive in Vientiane, Laos. This software is very easy to use. The software will recommend the price. You can also add money, and the driver can also add money. Anyway, if it is suitable, he will negotiate the price and come to pick you up. I took a taxi smoothly after leaving the train station, and the BYD E2 took the order in seconds. This is when we found that the tuk-tuk here for the four of us was more expensive than renting. The journey went smoothly to the hotel, Somerset Vientiane. The hotel suites are very comfortable. They are serviced apartments with good hardware. It's not far from the Mekong River, and Thailand is on the other side of the Mekong River. The surrounding roads are relatively wide, and it is said that they were all built with Chinese aid. It was the first time I saw traffic lights in Laos, but most intersections are not managed, and it is difficult to cross the road.
In the evening, we went to the Crowne Plaza Hotel not far away for a French meal. The 3 Merchants restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel was very good. I ordered a French set menu plus specialties from the Southeast Peninsula. Western food is definitely worth the money. It was an eight-course French meal with good service and delicious taste. In the end, it only cost more than 600 RMB for the four of us.
After my wife went to the supermarket to buy breakfast for the next day, Wanxiang was going home for the last two days of leisure.
Day 11: Make breakfast by yourself early in the morning and go out after eating. The taxi app is very easy to use. The first stop was Xiangkun Temple (Buddha Park), which is one of Vientiane’s most visited attractions. We walked all the way along the Mekong River. Not far from Xiangkun Temple, we could pass the First Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge. I wanted to go to the checkpoint to have a look, but I gave up when I found that I had to turn to another road to cross the bridge to the customs. Now Thailand is visa-free for China.
As long as you want, you can go to Thailand directly from here.
Xiangkun Temple is also called Buddha Park. It is located on the bank of the Mekong River. It is actually a sculpture park. There are many tour groups here. The tickets are not expensive and there is a Chinese guide. All the Buddha statues in the garden are modern works of concrete, and Xiangkun Temple is also known as "a miracle created by concrete." But by looking at the introduction here, you can learn a lot about Lao Buddhism and Hinduism. Various great gods can be seen here, including Shiva, Vishnu, Arjuna, Avalokitesvara and all imaginable images of gods in Hinduism and Buddhism. These gods are very different from the gods and Buddhas in our domestic Buddhism, but they are still worth a visit.
There are various Buddha statues and sculptures here, which are very beautiful to take pictures. You can climb the sculptures, walk and look at them, walk all the way to the Mekong River, eat ice cream, and see Thailand on the other side. It is not very tiring except that it is a bit hot. It is a very good experience.
After leaving Xiangkun Temple, we still took a taxi to That Luang. There were not many people at noon. I had a Chinese dim sum at the door and the taste was average. I have been eating here all the way in Laos. The western food tasted great last night, but in terms of city average, the restaurants in Luang Prabang are the best. I didn’t find any faults. After eating, we entered and started to tour. That Luang (luán) was originally an integral part of Watta Luang Temple, but because its importance far exceeds this temple, people usually only call it That Luang, which is a Buddhist holy place in Laos. In 1566, Setah Thila, King of Lancang, built a large pagoda based on the small pagoda, and built 30 small pagodas around the big pagoda to commemorate the 30 kinds of blessings of Buddha. After the pagoda was completed, it was named "Patha Relic Loga Chulamani" by the king, which means the Buddha's bone pagoda, and the relics of the Buddha are buried under the pagoda. Since this pagoda was built by the king, the Laotians are accustomed to calling it "That Luang". The tower was destroyed many times in the 18th century, and the current tower was rebuilt in 1930 according to its original appearance. The That Luang Festival is held here every November. It is the largest folk temple fair and the most solemn and grandest religious festival in the country. In 1957, the grand 2500th Buddha Birthday Ceremony was held here. Later, during the annual That Luang event, the "That Luang International Expo" was held at That Luang Square. Our country was invited to participate 7 times.
The Buddhist buildings in Laos are quite magnificent. Although it has a history, most of the buildings have been renovated many times. Walk around that pagoda and pray for blessings. There is a statue of King Lancang on the square, and there is a temple in front and behind That Luang. It is very nice to have a quiet rest.
After leaving That Luang, my wife called a tuk-tuk through the software to go to the Arc de Triomphe in Vientiane. This car is a bit interesting, similar to domestic battery cars used for transportation in scenic spots. Shuttle on the road, you can go to various places, there are four of us in a car, and we have confirmed several times for a distance of about 3 kilometers. The total charge from point to point is 5,000 kip, and it is not charged per head.
After a while, we arrived at the Arc de Triomphe, opposite the Prime Minister's Office.
The English name of the Laos Arc de Triomphe is Patuxay, 45 meters high and 24 meters wide. It is located in the center of Vientiane. Along the main road is the Presidential Palace at the end. Construction started in 1960 and was basically completed in 1969. It is a large monument.
Originally to commemorate those who died in the war. During the liberation in 1975, the victory parade of Vientiane City people passed through here. To commemorate this historic event, it was called the Arc de Triomphe. It’s quite nice to buy a ticket and go up to the Arc de Triomphe to see the street view of Vientiane. After the visit, we went downstairs and took a taxi. We directly chose a Hilux pickup truck and returned to the hotel smoothly to take the baby to swim and play.
Go to LE KHEM KHONG for dinner by the Mekong River in the evening. The taste is good and the price is affordable,
After eating, I went to the supermarket and bought the famous Laos beer, which was quite delicious. My wife also had a fever that night.
Day 12: The last day of this trip, we can visit Vientiane for a whole day on a midnight flight. I still used a taxi app to call a car, but I chose a Hilux. There are many BYDs here and more Hilux pickup trucks. It is not easy to enjoy taking a pickup truck in China. First go to the Landmine Victims Information Center (COPE Visitor Center), which is a rehabilitation hospital with aid. There are many Western tourists and Korean teams here, but almost no domestic teams. In the 1960s and 1970s, during the "Secret War" launched by the CIA against Laos, in order to block the Viet Cong supply line in southern Laos - the "Ho Chi Minh Trail", the US military dropped a total of approximately 260 million cluster bombs, leaving behind a large number of unexploded bombs that are causing damage to this day. In addition, the border between Laos and Vietnam is very long. Almost the entire territory of Laos has been bombed. Unexploded remnants of cluster bombs are scattered across the country. There are currently tens of millions of such explosives left. Because Laos itself is too backward and poor to clean up these residues, many people are still harmed every year. It is said that when the China-Laos railway was being built, the first thing we did was demining. This place seems to be a rehabilitation center aided by the United States. I don’t know if it counts as an act of redemption or a check-in.
Leaving the center and a short walk away is Wat Si Muang, which is the most popular temple in Vientiane. The statue of King Sisawang Phong stands in front of the temple. Simon Temple was built in 1536. Legend has it that when the temple was first built, a pregnant woman named Si Meuang volunteered to lay the foundation stone and jumped into the pit where the core stone pillar (City Pillar) was placed. Si Meuang has always protected local believers, and Simon Temple has become the "Mother Temple" of Vientiane. In 1828, Siamese invaders burned down the main hall of the temple, leaving a seated Buddha alive, so this Buddha statue can fulfill wishes. After that, Simon Temple was rebuilt many times. The Simon Temple we see now was rebuilt in 1915. Ximeng Temple is divided into two rooms. The front room is where monks practice and give blessings to believers. There is an endless stream of people asking for fortune-telling and asking questions about Buddha. The back room has a large altar filled with Buddha statues. In the middle is a square cornerstone from the city's construction, which people call the town stone. The people in Vientiane regard it as their patron saint and believe it will bring them good luck. But don't go to Simon's Temple to seek marriage and have children, because Simon died in an unhappy marriage and pregnancy.
Leave the temple and walk all the way to Temple of the Emerald Buddha. There are many temples on the roadside. The area around the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the embassy area. It is now the National Cultural Relics Museum. The Lao Emerald Buddha Temple was built by King Sethatthirat of the Lancang Kingdom in 1565. It is mainly used to worship the jasper Buddha statues brought from Long Po State. The area is not large, and there are some Buddhist statues and cultural relics in the theme building. Across the wall is the Lao Presidential Palace. There are not many people here, so you can walk around at will.
We walked to the entrance of the Lao Presidential Palace. The internal buildings were under repair and were not complete because they were surrounded. There were no guards at the entrance, so we took photos at will.
Continuing forward, we arrived at Kua, Laos Lao Restaurant has a low-key entrance. It is said to be a state banquet restaurant. The dishes are authentic Laotian dishes, and the building is a bit unique. The dishes are not too to our taste, and the price is a bit expensive. The most unique Laotian dish is larb, which has various larb, pork, beef, chicken, fish, etc. Eat it wrapped with lettuce, cucumber and various spices. The black glutinous rice served in a small bamboo basket tastes good. I heard that there will be performances starting at 7pm, including traditional percussion and traditional dances. While eating and watching the performances, you can feel the atmosphere of the Luang Prabang Dynasty. The price is probably a little expensive, and there are almost no local diners in the restaurant, so we are considered a state banquet restaurant.
Across from the door is the Black Pagoda. The Black Pagoda is a black pagoda, and it is located in the city center. The Black Pagoda is also called Dan Pagoda. It is located in the middle of the street garden on Danta Street (That Dam) in the center of Vientiane, adjacent to the US Embassy. The construction date is still unclear, but it can be traced back to the early Lanna Dynasty (1259-1558) or Lancang Dynasty (1353-1707), that is, the 13th and 14th centuries. Legend has it that a 7-headed dragon is hidden in the tower. During the 1828 war with Thailand, the 7-headed dragon tried to protect Vientiane from enemy attacks and rescue the local people. The Laotians regarded this dragon as their savior and protector, that is, Naga. When it was first built, the Black Tower was covered with gold leaf, which was later stolen by Siamese invaders. The upper round pagoda below has been weathered by the wind and rain over the years. Its black spire points to the clear blue sky, as if to convey the local people's sentiments to the Buddha. It is said that this tower was built with the bones of Thai invaders. The Laotians have a saying that if the tower falls naturally, Thailand will be subjugated. Anyway, I don’t understand this legend. After leaving the Black Tower, we passed through the entrance of the US Embassy. The security here was very dedicated and watched us walk through the street in front of the embassy.
Opposite is Wat Si Saket, also called Saket Temple, the oldest temple in Vientiane. Founded in 1818, it was built on the orders of King Anuvon, the last monarch of the Lancang Kingdom. It is a famous temple in the history of Laos. In 1829, he survived the war in Vientiane City. But unfortunately, most of the cultural relics were lost during the war. Only one large Buddha statue, two bronze Buddha statues and 120 small Buddha statues in the outer corridor are still intact. Through them, people can still see the prosperous culture and art of Laos in the early 19th century. The cloister in the courtyard feels like the architectural features of the Khmer period. Various Buddha statues are enshrined inside the main hall. There are countless small Buddhist niches on the walls that are worth seeing. It is said that there are also some murals depicting the lives of Buddhists. There is also an antique wooden Buddha bathing device on the corridor next to the temple. It is used to splash clean water on the holy statue during the Lao New Year Water-Splashing Festival.
After walking out of the temple, sit at the door, take a break, eat ice cream, and watch the cats catch birds. This completes the mission of this trip to Laos.
We continued hiking all the way, and my wife went to experience a Laos massage. I took my mother and baby to find a cafe to rest for a while, walked all the way, and finally took a look at the night market on the Mekong River.
We went to an American fast food restaurant early in the evening, had dinner, returned to the hotel and picked up our luggage. We still took a Hilux and put our luggage wherever we wanted. It was so cool. The airport in Vientiane is very close. The airport is not big, check-in went smoothly, customs did not ask for tips, and there is no hot water at the airport. The terminal is crowded with people, most of whom are Koreans. Starting from Vang Vieng, I see a bunch of Koreans every day. There are direct flights to Incheon, which is awesome.
The duty-free shop spent the remaining kip to buy Laos coffee. Laos coffee is very unique. About 80% of the area grows high-quality Robusta beans, and 20% grows Arabica beans. It is said that the China-Laos railway is now used to transport coffee beans to China and then sell them to Europe. The China Eastern Airlines flight was on time. It took 4 hours to return to Shanghai and arrived at Pudong Airport in the early morning. The controversy over online car-hailing reservations at Pudong Airport when we departed years ago has also been settled. Public opinion cannot be violated! I successfully booked a ride home online and had a happy New Year’s Eve trip. I look forward to the next time. . .
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