Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
By bus
Buses run twice daily to Oudomxai (4hr) from the bus station, 2km northeast of the
boat landings (5000K in a shared tuk-tuk).
INFORMATION
Tourist office
The tourist office (Mon-Fri 8am-11.30pm & 2-4pm; 030 928 3725,
oudomxay.info
)
is easily visible at the top of the boat landing. There is a useful map you can
take a picture of, and it offers various trips, including to the Khamtan Budda Cave, where
villagers sheltered during the Second Indochina War.
ACCOMMODATION
Once the boat pulls in, don't waste any time securing a
room
. Travellers arriving off the
slow boat are usually greeted by countless touts for the town's guesthouses - you're best
off searching for accommodation yourself to avoid being overcharged. From the landing, the
majority of guesthouses are just up the hill to the right, though there are a few more stylish
options if you head to the left, away from town.
Dockhoun
100m east at the top of the landings 081 212540.
Good-sized rooms with col-
ourful bedspreads in a vivid green building, but the real advantage is the
lovely re
staurant,
bedecked with hanging baskets and boasting superlative views of the river.
100,000K
Duangpasert
Just east at the top of the landings 081 212624.
Friendly place that's more
clued up than most along the port road. For river views go for one of the upstairs rooms,
though downstairs you have the advantag
e of a big
(shared) terrace; all rooms have high ceil-
ings and hot showers. Also has a bakery.
100,000K
LuangSayLodge
3km west of the boat landings 081 212296,
luangsay.com
.
Eight-
een luxury Lao-style bungalows by the river, featuring all mod cons. On stilts, the bungalows
are connected by a beautifully built covered walkway which leads to the reception. The resort
even has its own boat pier and fancy restaurant with uniformed staff. T
he o
utdoor patio bar,
with a view of the Mekong, is a great place for a sundowner. Half-board
$76
Mekong Riverside Lodge
100m west of the landings 020 5517 1068,
www.mekongriversidelodge.com
.
Raised on stilts, with bamboo-weave walls and rattan fur-
niture, these stylish wooden bungalows provide a welcome mid-range alternative to Pak-
beng's identikit guesthouses. Best of all are the gorgeous private sit-outs, poised right above
the water a
nd i
deal for watching the elephants on the opposite bank over a leisurely breakfast
(included).
$50
PakbengLodge
500m west of the landings 081 212304,
pakbenglodge.com
.
An upmar-
ket hideaway, French-owned and -operated, set amid thick foliage with its own pier on the
western edge of town. It's worth paying extra for the super-stylish deluxe rooms ($150), high
above the Mekong, with huge sliding doors opening out on to a magnificent panorama. Has
