Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the middle of some of the most dramatic scenery in Indochina. There's not a great deal to the
town itself, but the relatively slow pace of tourist development here has allowed it to retain
its village-like charm; it's a great place to lose a few days, preferably watching the river from
your own private balcony, and makes a good base for
day-trips
in the scenic surrounding
countryside.
Nong Khiaw is spread over either side of the long bridge that stretches over the Nam Ou.
At the northern end of the bridge, you'll find the boat mooring, a few guesthouses and the
more local side of town, which extends for around 1.5km along the dusty main street parallel
to Route 1. Across the bridge, are the majority of guesthouses and restaurants.
Morning market
Main road through town, next to the primary school ∙ Mon-Fri & Sun 6-7.30am, Sat 6-8.30am
Nong Khiaw's
morning market
is worth an early start any day of the week, but it's at its
biggest on Saturdays, when villagers - mainly Hmong tribeswomen - travel as far as 25km to
show their wares. Some bring live animals to be slaughtered and eaten, a grizzly introduction
to the highland taste for locally sourced wild meat.
Nong Khiaw View Point
500m south of the bridge along Route 1 ∙ Daily 6.30am-3.30pm ∙ 20,000K ∙ Bring suitable footwear
South of the bridge, a path leads off the main road up through thick jungle to the
NongKhiaw
View Point
atop Phou Phadeng, which gives stunning 360-degree views. The steep but re-
warding ninety-minute climb is best tackled in dry season (Oct-March); in April views tend
to be obscured as farmers burn off their rice fields, and the trails are sometimes closed in the
rains. It's essential to stick to the cleared path as the area is still blighted by unexploded ord-
nance.
