Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to charter in both directions. The bus for Xieng Kok is scheduled to leave at noon; the road,
narrow and unpaved, is truly dismal.
Destinations
Luang Namtha (daily; 3hr 30min); Muang Sing (3 daily; 1hr 30min); Xieng
Kok (daily; 50min).
INFORMATION AND TOURS
Tourist office
The tiny tourist office (Mon-Fri 8am-11.30am & 1.30-4pm; 020 5588
5655,
muanglongtourismoffice.weebly.com
) is 200m west along the main highway from
the market street turning. It's seldom open when it claims to be, but can be contacted in ad-
vance for advice on exploring the local area and river transport from Xieng Kok to Houayxai.
Tours
The tourist office can organize treks of one to five days' duration, staying in local
Akha, Hmong or Lahou villages, plus motorbike trips (though you'll need to bring your own);
one-day tours start at 160,000K per person, two days at 310,000K per person. Based at the
tourist office but available beyond its usual limited opening hours, Da Luthasmee ( 020
5588 0410,
daluck999@hotmail.com
) is a friendly and helpful source of information.
Services
There's a branch of Lao Development Bank, with an ATM, close to the market, but
as yet nowhere to check internet in town.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Henghom
On the main highway, 300m west of the bus station 030 920 1755.
Occupying
a cheerful banana-yellow block, the town
's newe
st guesthouse has big, high-ceilinged rooms
with hot showers and free tea and coffee.
60,000K
Kungna
200m east of the bus station 020 5578 6585.
Overlooking paddy fields on the way
into town, this attractive bamboo terrace restaurant is the most picturesque spot for a beer or
meal, with a simple menu of soups and stir-fries (around 30,000K). Equally nice sister res-
taurant
Dansavanh
, closer into town, should have reopened by the time you read this.
Daily
7am-10pm.
Siseng
Just down a side street opposite the Agricultural Promotions Bank 020 5556 0225.
Great for an early-morning stumble to the market, this tiddly guesthouse is the most central
option, with surprisingly big (if bare) roo
ms with
attached squat loos. The basic restaurant
next door is good for a quick noodle soup.
60,000K
Thatsany
On the main highway, just west of Henghom Guesthouse 020 5534 8337.
Muang
Long's nicest place to stay is set back from the road on a verdant plot filled with birdsong.
The bes
t rooms front on to a communal veranda in the powder-blue building at the back.
60,000K
Xieng Kok
A sleepy frontier village on a remote stretch of the Mekong,
XIENG KOK
is the last river
port for cargo vessels coming down from China. The village has a ramshackle charm, not
