Nong Khiaw Laos – 5 Ideas on What to See and to Do There

Nong Khiaw used to be a relatively sleepy town with only a few attractions close by, but it has experienced something of a boom in recent years. You still won’t find huge numbers of tourists here, but there are more tour operators than before and now you can visit a number of attractions as part of an organized group and go on trips such as hikes and river tours. If you want to know more about the local communities in the outlying villages around Nong Khiaw then you can visit a workshop where you can watch artisans making local handicrafts or you can even stay overnight.

1. Pha Tok Caves

One of the main sights around Nong Khiaw is the Pha Tok Caves which is around 2 kilometres out of the town centre. The cave is part of the amazing limestone cliffs that encircle Nong Khiaw and it would have been used by Pathet Lao during the Second Indochina War. To get to the caves you need to walk across some scenic rice paddies, through a section of lush jungle, and then up a steep set of stairs to the actual cave entrance. If you don’t want to make the trip all the way back then you can take a boat back to Nong Khiaw from the cave for around USD 5.

2. Pha Kuang Cave

Pha Kuang Cave is around 3 kilometres away from Nong Khiaw and you need to be relatively fit to trek to the main entrance. The actual chamber is around 300 meters long and you will need to squeeze through some tight gaps to visit all parts of the cave. Despite the cramped conditions at times, the cave is stunning inside and is crammed with stalactites and stalagmites.

3. Phadeng Peak

If you want to do some trekking in Nong Khiaw then head for the Phadeng Peak. The trail to the top is rather steep but it will take you up to a scenic viewpoint where you can experience stunning panoramic views across the surrounding valleys. Plan for around an hour to an hour and a half to reach the summit of the peak and if possible try to set off early in the morning so that you can catch the sunrise. It gets quite hot in the afternoon depending on the season and this can make the trek a little uncomfortable. On the way back down from the peak you can also swing by some small beach areas where you can swim in the Ou River.

4. Jungle Zip Lining

If you want to experience the jungle around Nong Khiaw in a completely unique way then a new attraction on offer is the chance to go zip lining. There are a number of zip lines in the jungles close to Nong Khiaw and the longest of these is around 400 meters. One of the first companies to offer zip lining in Nong Khiaw is called Jungle Fly and they also funnel some of the proceeds of the company back into the local villages to educate children in remote areas.

5. Mountain Biking

If you fancy a bit of an adventure in Nong Khiaw then a great activity is to rent a mountain bike and cycle to the Hmong and Khmu villages on the outskirts of town. Bear in mind however that the area is rather hilly which is why mountain bikes are provided, and you need to be fairly fit to cycle out to the villages. As you ride out to the villages you will be able to take in the gorgeous scenery around Nong Khiaw and once you get there you can see how the ethnic communities in Laos live and work.