Laos is at the heart of Indochina, with China to the north, Thailand to the west, Cambodia to the south and Vietnam to the East. Though developing quickly, Laos still has a very traditional feel that has been lost in some of the other countries in the region.
The historic royal city Luang Prabang in the centre of northern Laos, is an area rich in cultural heritage. Known as the seat of Lao culture, the area has many monasteries, monuments and is surrounded by natural beauty. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, a concerted effort has been made to try and preserve this wonderful city with its mix of traditional and colonial buildings.