A million elephants
The original state here, the precursor of modern Laos, was called Lan Xang – whose full name translates as “the realm of a million elephants and a white parasol”, a reminder of the days when elephants were used for travel.
Nowadays no real work is done by elephants any longer, but there are few places in Laos where you can see elephants. Around Luang Phabang there’s an area which has several elephant sanctuaries. There are differing prices for overnight accommodation, and the amounts of access you get to the elephants.
Usually there are two main kinds of elephant trip – either a trip through the jungle, or a visit to the river for elephant bathing. It’s popular with kids.
There’s more elephant fun when it comes to feeding them bananas. This view of an elephant’s trunk is like some kind of sci-fi film about aliens.
