Oudomxay Between Waterfalls and Temples

Oudomxay in northern Laos offers reasons to visit ranging from forest activities and waterfalls to caves, lakes, and religious sites. When planning a trip, you can focus on nature, culture, or a combination of both.

Waterfalls, Forest, and Bodies of Water

Nam Kat Yorlapa Waterfall is located in Xay District, within the Phou Hi Phi Provincial Protected Forest. Activities mentioned there include forest trekking, hikes, and waterfall visits, as well as ATV rides and bridge crossings, including the well-known Tovi Bridge. There is also spider-web climbing, ziplining, and panoramic views of Tor Hin Mountain. The range of activities therefore extends from exploring the forest to taking in views of the surrounding landscape.

Access to Nam Kat Yorlapa follows five kilometers of paved road to Ban Bo, then 18 kilometers of gravel road to Ban Fan, and finally about 900 meters on foot to the waterfall. This sequence of road sections and walking is a helpful point of reference when planning a visit. The area is also home to a biodiversity museum, which attracts visitors from Laos and abroad, especially during major festivals and on weekends.

Three successive cascades define Tad Nam Haeng; they are approximately 13, 8, and 5 meters high. After four kilometers of paved road, the access route continues along a gravel and red-earth road that is passable only during the dry season. This seasonal restriction should be taken into account when planning a visit.

Nam Hin Lake is located in Houay Un village in Xay District. The lake is the largest reservoir in Oudomxay, covers about 121.7 square kilometers, and extends across seven villages. Several streams converge there. Its size and extent distinguish this place from the waterfalls: the focus here is a vast body of water, not a single cascade.

Nam Lot Phou offers a different connection with nature. This body of water is located in Na Thong village in Na Mo District, about eight kilometers from the district center; the access road branches off Route 13 North. Nam Lot Phou is considered a naturally formed, clean, and cool body of water, suitable for swimming and enjoying the natural landscape.

Caves and Access Options

Chom Ong Cave is located in the village of the same name in Xay District, about 45 kilometers from Xay town. From the village, a shortcut approximately two kilometers long runs through the rice fields; a road passable by vehicles is also listed as an alternative. When including the cave in your travel plans, you can weigh these two access options without confusing the walking distance with the distance from town.

Temples and Traditional Crafts

The Phra That Xaymoungkun Lattanamingmuong stupa, also called Wat Phu That, is located in the center of Xay town. It is a revered religious site in Oudomxay. The grounds of Wat Phu That include three small hills arranged in a row. The temple’s central location is thus paired with a distinctive landscape feature on its grounds.

Wat Phra Chao Sing Kham is located on Phou Khao Khwai in Viengkham village, La District. The temple is more than 2,000 years old; most people in Laos believe it is sacred. Its location and religious significance give a visit a cultural focus distinct from visiting the waterfalls or the cave.

The Tai Lue Handicrafts Center is located in Phasak village in Xay District. It is part of the “One District, One Product” initiative and specializes in traditional textile handicrafts. These include Lao skirts and shirts, fabrics, bags, and baskets. The center offers a direct insight into local crafts and complements the nature and temple destinations with a focus on handicrafts.

Choosing a Base for Your Trip

Oudomxay is an important transport hub in northern Laos; the road from Luang Prabang heading north passes through Oudomxay. Oudomxay Domestic Airport is about five minutes from the center of Muang Xai. When choosing a hotel location, you can first prioritize the destinations that matter most for your trip: Wat Phu That stupa is in the center of Xay town, Chom Ong Cave is in the village of the same name, and Nam Lot Phou is in Na Mo District. This makes it possible to take the different locations into account when searching, without reducing the nature and cultural destinations to a single focus for your visit.

Discover more destinations: Pak Beng, Ban Nakham, Muang Xai, Ban Cat, Houaphan, Bokeo Province, Vientiane and Luang Namtha.

Back to the regional travel overview: Laos.