Meuang Sing, One of Tourist Places Related To Tai Neua

Muang Sing features a number of interesting tourist attractions. While trekking tours and village visits should always be booked through a tour guide office (to ensure the villages will benefit from tourism), the following attractions can easily be explored without a guide. Simply stroll around town and take in its history or sample some famous food and ethnic handicrafts.

Muang Sing Town Walk

History

Muang Sing is a town of much historical significance. The museum is an old wood and brick building. This was formerly the home of the Jao Fa Noi (Little Prince), who was actually not a prince but rather an economically powerful figure in the area. The building is now residence of a private citizen. Close to the post office, around the corner from the district administration offices, you can find the old French military fort. The fort is now occupied by the Lao army. Across the street is the former hospital, built in 1919. You can search for the old city wall and moat, which is now partly dry

That Xieng Tung

That Xieng Tung (Xieng Tung Stupa) is the most important stupa in Muang Sing. It is said to contain the adam's apple of Buddha. To the left of the stupa are some stairs which lead to a sacred fountain and a sacred stone. If you follow a path to the right of the stupa downhill (be careful!) you might be able to find the old moat and wall of the stupa. The biggest festival of the year, That Xieng Tung Festival, is held here every year during the full moon of the 12th lunar month (usually in late October or early November). The stupa is located 5.5 km from the center of town, on the road towards Luang Namtha, situated on top of a hill. A dirt road leads up to it on your right as you're coming from Muang Sing.

Muang Sing Museum

The Muang Sing Museum, presenting local culture and history, has an excellent collection of historically and religiously significant pieces, located on the top floor. The building was once the royal residence of the Jao Fa (Prince), Phanya Sekong. Open 9:00 - 11:30 & 1:30 - 3:30, Monday-Friday. Admission 5,000 kip (plus 5,000 kip extra for the Akha film).

Morning Market

The Muang Sing market is one of the best places to see ethnic groups in northern Lao, as people from Akha, Lue, Hmong, Yao, Tai Dam and Tai Neua villages come to sell their fruits, vegetables, meats, non-timber forest products and crafts. 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 local sweets ("canome") often made from sticky rice and coconut.

Attractions in Muang Sing District

Khao Soi (Noodle Shop)

Muang Sing is also known for its kao soi (noodle soup), which literally means "rice cut", as the rice noodles are made by cutting a rice pancake into strips with scissors. You can see kao soi noodles being made in the many Tai Lue and Tai Neua villages. To see rice noodle production you might try Ban Siliheung, a Tai Neua village located on the road to Xiengkok (2 km).

Tai Dam Weaving

Tai Dam weaving and textile production is mainly performed in Ban Nong Boua and Ban Xieng Yun. Look for the large weaving looms located under or beside houses. Don't be shy to sit down and drink a cup of tea if you are invited into someone's home. Just remember: Ask before you take photos and remove your shoes before entering a house. To show your gratitude and support local crafts you may choose to purchase one of their handmade textiles.

Lao Whisky
Ban Koum is known for producing the best Lao whisky (lao lao) in Muang Sing. Lao whisky is distilled in big drums outside. If you decide to try some be careful, as it is extremely strong. Ban Koum is located off the road to Luang Namtha 4 km from the center of town.

Yao Crafts
Ban Nammai is a Yao village close to the Chinese Border.,. Yao tradition is quite strong here. Every year in November/December you can see the production of bamboo paper-used for making religious ceremonies and books-in this and other nearby Yao villages. The village has developed a small handicrafts cooperative which offers a good selection of traditional Yao textiles.

Akha Villages
The Akha represent about 47% of the population in Muang Sing District. Many of the Akha villages are located in the hills and require a guide to visit. You can book tours at one of the tour operators in town.

Chinese Border
The China border is only 10 km from town and makes for a refreshing journey on a bicycle which can be rented in town. You can't cross the border, however the scenery along the way is beautiful and worth the ride.
The multi-tiered Namkeo Waterfall is located about 2 kilometers from the That Xieng Tung and can be visited as part of a guided tour from the Muang Sing Guide Office or while on the Akha Experience.

Pha Yueng Waterfall
The waterfall, found in Nam Ha National Protected Area in the north of the Luang Namtha Province, is a good place for visit.  It’s located on the road to Muang Sing about 40 km northeast of Luang Namtha.

Xieng Kaeng Region
Xieng Kaeng is a largely unexplored, stunning region only a couple of hours from Muang Sing town. Due to its remoteness embedded between mountains and the Mekong River, its 13 villages (Akha and Tai Lue) are still very traditional and have remained largely isolated. As the Mekong rushes out of China into the Green Triangle bordering Myanmar, it makes its way through steep canyons before slowing down further south. This section can be accessed by boat from Xiengkok in Long District, but also by gravel road which was recently rebuilt and leads over the mountains from Muang Sing. Travelers will find beautiful green mountains with waterfalls and caves, and remote villages with still kept traditions and culture. From scenic Xieng Kaeng village, a beautiful stretch of the Mekong can be explored by boat. It is strongly recommended to only visit Xieng Kaeng with a qualified guide as the villages have only recently started to receive tourists, and negative impacts can occur quickly. The organized tours ensure that a fair price is paid to the villages, and that every family can take part in the home stay rotation system. Please make sure that you respect the culture and traditions, and take every opportunity to support the people. A good way to offer support is by purchasing products directly from the villages, such as handicraft.

Temples & Monasteries
The Tai Lue is devoutly Buddhist. Hence, there are 23 vats (temples) and monasteries in the area. Vat Luang, the most important vat in the area, is located off the main road next to the museum. Vat Namkeo Luang, which has a large monk residency, is also quite beautiful and is located on the road to Xiengkok, just as you turn off from the paved road to Namtha on the right. Vat Xieng In and Vat Xieng Lae is a short walk from Vat Luang.

Nam Keo Waterfall

Have you ever been to Meuangsing? What do you think of it?