If not, visiting Meuang Sing district in Luang Namtha province could be a worthwhile place to begin your tour of discovery.
Meuang Sing is a mountainous district located in the north-west of Luang Namtha province.
Close to borders with Myanmar and China, it features a number of interesting tourist attractions. It also is a nexus for the Akha ethno-cultural group.
It has many historical sites including a stupa said to contain a sacred relic of the Lord Buddha himself.
Also to be found are ancient city walls and a moat, the residence of the former Meuang Sing Chaofa Panya Xekong, a colonial French garrison and traditional Tai Lue houses.
Also to be found are ancient city walls and a moat, the residence of the former Meuang Sing Chaofa Panya Xekong, a colonial French garrison and traditional Tai Lue houses.
The town also boasts a hospital founded by Dr Tom Dooley, an American doctor who was stationed here in the 1960s.
Once closely linked to the Sipsongphanna Kingdom which was centred in present day Yunnan in China, the town has been influenced over the years by Chinese, Myanmar and French occupants.
Originally constructed in the 18th century following a deliberate urban plan, you can see the old city walls and moat about 7 blocks north of the museum, and also an old rampart in the northwest part of the Sing valley.
Around the corner from the District Administration Offices you will see the old French garrison.
The garrison is now used by the Lao army and is off-limits to all but official visitors.
Across the street is the former district hospital, built in 1919.
The most important religious monument and pride of Meuang Sing’s inhabitants is the That Xieng Tung (Xieng Tung stupa).
It is believed locally that the stupa contains a relic of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha.
The stupa is located on top of a hill in That village, 5 km from the centre of town on the road towards Luang Namtha.
When the stupa was first constructed remains a mystery.
From the left of the monument is a stone stairway that leads to a sacred fountain.
If you follow the path to the right of the stupa heading downhill you might be able to spot remnants of the old moat and wall that used to surround the site.
The biggest festival of the year, Boun That Xieng Tung, is held here every year during the full moon of the 12th lunar month (usually November), on the same day as the That Luang Festival.
The festivities attract a large number of people from around the province as well as Tai Leu Buddhists.
About 2 kilometres from That Xieng Tung is the multi-tiered Namkeo waterfall that can be visited as part of a guided tour from the Meuang Sing Guide office or while travelling on the Akha Experience.
You can also visit the Pha Nheuang waterfall in the Nam Ha National Protected Area in the north of the province.
About 40km by road from Luang Namtha to Meuang Sing, it’s within range for a day trip.
If you get weary on your travels to the waterfall, you should stop for some khaosoi (noodle soup) a speciality of Meuang Sing.
The name literally means “rice cut”, as the rice noodles are made by cutting a rice pancake into thin strips.
You can see khaosoi noodles being made in any of the many Tai Lue and Tai Neua villages.
To see rice noodles in the making you might try Ban Siliheuang, a Tai Neua village located on the road to Xiengkok about 2km down the road.
Meuang Sing market is one of the best places to identify the ethnic groups in northern Laos, as people from Akha, Lue, Hmong, Yao, Tai Dam and Tai Neua villages come here to sell their fruit, vegetables, meat, non-timber forest products and handicrafts.
The best time to visit the market is in the early morning.
The market is also a great place to get to know local food such as soybean paste, waffles and the local sweet “khanom” made from sticky rice and coconut.
Above all, you should visit the Meuang Sing museum to learn about local culture and history.
It boasts an interesting collection of historically and religiously significant pieces located on its top floor.
The building was once the royal residence of the Chaofa Phanya Xekong. It is open to the public from 9am to 11:30am and from 1:30pm to 3:30pm, on Monday to Friday.
The admission fee is 5,000 kip with an additional 5,000 kip to view the Akha film.
So if the provinces are calling you, come out to Meuang Sing and take a dip into the diversity of history and culture that abounds.
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