Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
through the surrounding mountains to remote and unspoilt villages where life has barely
changed in centuries.
Lying within the boundaries of the region known as the Golden Triangle, Muang Sing has a
long connection with
opium
. During the late French colonial era, the town became an import-
ant collection point and way-station for the French colonial government's opium monopoly,
and even as late as the 1990s, opium dens reappeared for a while to cater to the brief tourist
rush. As in Thailand, however, opium eradication programmes have had significant success,
and opium production is now a fraction of what it was twenty years ago.
The morning market
Opposite the bus station in the northwest of town, about 700m north of the tourist office ∙ Daily 6am-6pm
The principal sight in Muang Sing is its large
morning market
. Clustered around the gates
you'll find women sat in neat rows selling mounds of fruit and vegetables, beyond which is
the covered food market, a good spot to pick up snacks, such as melt-in-the-mouth fried ba-
nanas. The market is famous for its colourfully dressed vendors, though nowadays the locals
are more likely to be wearing tracksuits and Nike knock-offs. A few tribal ladies sell textiles
at the far end of the food market, though expect some hard selling, even if you're just look-
ing. If you want to take a photo of a vendor, it's only polite to buy something first and ask
permission. The market kicks off very early, just after sunrise, and though goods are on sale
throughout the day, it's best to get there before 10am in order to see the best of it.
The Tribal Museum
On the main road, north of the tourist office ∙ Mon-Fri 8-11.30am & 1.30-4pm ∙ 5000K, Akha film 5000K
Occupying a simple but elegant wooden building on the main road, the
Tribal Museum
has
a well-explained collection of tribal costumes, plus local textiles, basketware and (upstairs) a
