Phongsali
The province’s capital has the same name as the region – Phongsali, and is mainly notable for being where the highway runs. It’s the centre of a huge area of northern Laos. Smaller regional roads radiate away from Phongsali. When the monsoon rains come, these roads become impassable, and cause landslides which go unfixed for long periods. There is a considerable amount of business with China here. There are two small hotels in town, and in one of them no-one spoke English at all.
The city clings to the mountainside, and is arranged over several levels – a walk through it makes an unusual experience. It’s hard to guess the age of the buildings which are located here. There’s a tourist office and a single tour company which organises excursions into the nearby countryside. The main excursions are based around seeing the natural beauty of the area, and trekking to regions inhabited by mountain tribes. Phongsali itself has a museum of History and Ethnic Traditions.
The local market in Phongsali is worth a look. Most of the goods on sale are local, and the buyers are predominantly from the surrounding villages. There are practically no tourists at all.
The Phou Fa mountain looms above the town – with a temple at the top. People say that there are beautiful sunrise or sunset views from here, but in fact it’s fog that characterises most people’s photographs.
Views of Phongsali from here are the town’s most famous sight.