Lūang Namthā

城市概覽

Best known as a stopover point on the backpacker trail from China to Laos, and as an alternative to the long and cramped boat journey between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha has become increasingly popular as a starting point for hill tribe treks, especially those into the Luang Namtha National Protected Area (NPA). While short on jaw-dropping sights, it's a compact and fairly pleasant little town, albeit one divided in two parts: the "old" or original town near the airport (bombed out by the US in the 1970s), and the "new" or replacement town to the north where the trekking companies, banks, government offices and most guesthouses can be found. The two are about 6 km apart. The "old" town, now considered as a village within the district, sits astride Hwy 3, the modern route from China to Thailand. The "new" and de facto town is on Hwy 17A, which serves to connect Muang Sing, 7 km away from the Hwy 3 and the bus station.

如何抵達

By plane 1 Luang Namtha Airport (LXG IATA). Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway flights from Vientiane on a daily basis. Both companies have offices in town (main street). Promotions are often available online. Avoid local companies that claim to be 'franchise' (they even have stickers and promotional banners) from both airlines and/or the bus station. The real ones look like real offices (i.e. no bamboo on the walls). Shared tuk-tuks wait outside for arriving flights and will take you to anywhere in town for 10,000 (more often, 20,000) kip.

By train A high speed standard gauge train runs each morning from Vientiane via Phonhong, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and Muang Xay, taking 3 hours to Luang Namtha and continuing to Boten on the border with China, returning south shortly after midday. Because of Covid, as of Dec 2021 no trains cross the border: the nearby road crossing remains open but there are onerous restrictions on travellers, especially non-citizens. The high speed line continues north to Kunming but the Chinese timetable has not been published. A later train plies between Vientiane and Luang Prabang but doesn't go further north.

By bus The bus station for destinations inside the province is on the main road west of the main guesthouse strip. The old bus station across from the market has now been demolished to make way for a luxury hotel, and the main bus station for destinations further afield is now an inconvenient 10 km out of town. A tuk-tuk should cost about 10,000 kip per person or 20,000 kip if you're alone. Buses for Huay Xai, on the Mekong River at the Thai border, leave at 09:00 and 12:30 and cost 55,000 kip. Tickets can be bought from 07:30, and the journey takes only four hours due to improved road conditions, and you can therefore make it into Thailand on the same day. If you want to be assured of a seat, tickets can be bought in town the day before at the travel agent across from Green Discovery Treks for 75,000 kip including tuk-tuk to the b

當地交通

Luang Namtha town refers since 2015 to the new town and can be easily covered on foot, but you'll want to hop on a tuk-tuk (10,000 kip) for going to the airport, the bus station, or the pier at the Boat Landing guest house. You can get a good map of the city at KNT Internet for 3,000 kip and some guesthouses will have a copy of it for free for guests. You can rent really good mountain bikes at a shop along the main road for 15,000 kip per day or 3,000 kip per hour. Small semi-auto motorbikes (e.g., Honda Dream copies) are now readily available (especially across from the night market or at Zuela Guesthouse) and should cost about 30,000-50,000 kip per day including helmets and a free map. With a motorbike, you can travel around to visit the many villages around and in Luang Namtha and also see the scenic countryside (e.g., closer to Muang Nalae, Vieng Phouka, or Muang Sing).

體驗活動

Trekking There are several companies offering trekking to the hill tribes in the area as well as nearby Nam Ha Protected Area. At least half a dozen trek agencies are along the main road within a block of the night market. They all offer roughly the same treks: varying numbers of days, visits to different villages, waterfalls, jungle, kayaking, biking, etc. The more people on any given trek, the lower the price. They'll each post out front if they have people signed up for a specific trek, to encourage others to join and lower the price. Shop around on price though, in addition to the number of people on a trek, the different agencies have different prices for comparable treks. Check where the money goes, whether it is being distributed equitably to local guides, villages, etc. The other differentiating factor seems to be equipment. Some have newer equipment in better shape. For example, some offer sleeping pads in addition to sleeping bags, whereas others just have old sleeping bags that have seen better days. Politely negotiate the price. Some advertised prices are inflated twice. Insist on paying in kip (and not in dollars) as that will give you a better understanding on how the price compares with the costs of the local products and services. The mountainous jungle scenery in the area is a major attraction. If you are seeking to trek through this type of vegetation, make plain your preference as many treks take hikers generally through the rural landscapes of farmland and rice paddy.

1 Green Discovery, ☏ +856 86211484. 08:00-21:00. Offers up to three-day trekking trips, the price is a bit more expensive than in the tourist office. They also offer kayaking and other activities. 1 Luang Namtha Tourism Department (Eco-Guide Service) (behind the night market.). Offers up to four-day trekking for an average of US$30 per day. Groups can be from 4-8 people and the cost per person drops the more participants there are. Other activities offered include kayaking. 2

購物

Money: There are two banks and one post office offering change for cash and travellers' cheques, all in the main street the bank next to the tourism office change travellers for 3% commission (minimum of US$3). Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Laos (BCEL) has an ATM, but all-too-often, patrons complain of non-delivery of the cash. BCEL ATMs have a 20,000 kip ATM service charge (which is one of the lowest in the country) and low transaction limit (1,500,000 kip). The biggest supermarket of Luang Namtha offering everything from food over laundry detergent to digital SLR cameras is hidden in the second street parallel to the main street west of the nightmarket. There are three sisters of the Akha tribe who travel from Muang Sing every day to sell their crafts and agricultural products (opium and ganja) to falang. They are difficult to get rid of, and may follow you around town. Enjoy a bilingual conversation with them, it's great fun.

美食

Eating options in Luang Namtha are decent, but pretty much all restaurants serve the same menu of Lao, Thai, and ersatz Western dishes at the same prices. The night market is a good choice if you want to try something new af