Natural Site

RIVER IN PHONGSALY

NAM OU

Most people paddle the Ou just above Luang Prabang but its upper reaches near the Chinese border are more pristine, cutting through the undisturbed Phou Den Din NPA in which there are few villages. This is the longest inbound river in all of Laos is well known for its spectacular karsts formations and natural scenery. 

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NATIONAL PROTECTED AREAS IN LAOS
PHOU DEN DIN
Location: Phongsaly Province.
Area: 2,220 sq. km
Ecotourism Activities Available: none yet
Key Species: Elephants, gibbons and a high density of lesser fish eagles.
Habitat: Predominantly dry evergreen and semi-evergreen. Mosaic of swidden land and forest at various stages of regeneration. Large tracts of contiguous old-growth forest survive towards the Vietnamese border and along the Nam Ou, upstream from the Nam Khang confluence.
Access: Access is difficult, but can be accomplished by boat along the Nam Ou and Nam Khang or by foot. From Phongsali, the NPA can be reached by a short drive to Ban Hatxa and a then a half-day boat journey or 2-day walk.

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PHOU FA MOUNTAIN
The Phou Fa Hill, is 1.625 meters high and dominates Phongsaly town. The 45 minute hike up to its stupa and Buddha statue on top offers spectacular views of the town and the mountains in far distance

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TEA PAVILION AND 400-YEAR-OLD TEA TREES
The famous 400-year-old tea plantation is located about 18 kilometers away in the Phunoy village of Ban Komaen, which according to some tea experts has some of the oldest tea trees in the world. The large root system of the old trees extends deep into the mineral-rich soil and gives ‘Phongsaly Tea’ its specific aroma and taste. The oldest trees stand 6 meters high with a stem up to 30 cm in diameter.
The Tea Pavilion’s exhibition provides a peek into the world of tea, from its legendary beginnings to its production and consumption, and explains how the famous 400-year-old tea is picked and processed by the villagers into “tea cigars”. From there, you can take a 1 hour stroll through the ancient plantation: just follow the Tea Trail signs!  The trail will lead you to the top of the tea mountain to enjoy the stunning view of Phongsaly and then to the village temple and its unique big-eared Buddha statue.
Ban Komaen makes an ideal 1-day excursion, the relatively flat road passing through more recent tea plantations and offering a superb view of Phongsaly and surrounding mountains.