In an article published on its website on Wednesday, CNN mentioned Champasack’s Pakse district as one of the top underrated places in Asia.
While acknowledging the obvious charms of the “elegant Luang Prabang and adventure-loving Vang Vieng” CNN says in the article, “Pakse is diverse, pulsing and modern. It has buildings left over from the days of French colonialism, but these days Vietnamese and Chinese communities bring their foods, traditions, and references alongside the existing Lao presence.
While in town, head up to the giant gold Buddha at Wat Pho Salao, stroll along the Mekong at sunset, and then go off to the Bolaven Plateau to get deeper into the jungle.”
Jason Rolan, an American traveler and tourism professional in Laos, also echoed CNN’s sentiment in giving more recognition to the place.
He said, “Pakse is often overlooked as merely a stopover for trips in Southern Laos, but it’s finally time it gets the attention it deserves.”
“From delicious food to interesting neighborhoods downtown, as well as some of the country’s best coffee, there is a lot to love. It’s well worth the climb to the top of Phou Salao to pay respects to the huge Buddha that presides over the city, as well as admiring the view over the area.”
Last month, Laos made it to the top five travel spots for slow travel in 2023 by National Geographic for its “community-led conservation efforts; groundbreaking work in ecotourism, sustainability, and inclusive travel; and meaningful ways for travelers to give back”.
Earlier this month, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay also hailed Laos as the top food destination in the world saying that “food was just off the charts”.
