Mư̄ang Sai

城市概覽

The town is formed by small villages at an important intersection between China and Vietnam, and the city has a multicultural atmosphere. You can feel the Chinese influence on the main street. Tours are "monopolized" by the Tourist Information Center. A free city map can be obtained in the bus station or Tourist Information Center; the map includes basic information and "things to do". You can get maps online from the Provincial Tourism Department website .

如何抵達

By plane Lao Airlines has three flights a week from Vientiane (1 hr, full fare US$98). The local ticket reseller is in Litthavixay Guesthouse in the town centre on the main street.

By bus Muang Xay has a 1 new bus station (approx. 6 km down south). The old one in town is now abandoned. Tuktuks from the new one to the city center are 50,000 kip, or the walk takes about an hour.

Buses from Luang Namtha cost 80,000 kip and take up to 4 hours. Departures from Muang Xay are at 08:30, 11:30 and 15:00. Departure from Luang Namtha to Muang Xay are at 10:00 and 14:00. Bus tickets can be bought in every guest house for 70,000 kip (might be out-of-date as of January 2023, tickets are 80,000 at the terminal). Price includes transportation to the new bus station, a couple of kilometers south of the town.

Buses from Nong Khiaw cost 150,000 kip and take up to 3 hours. Departure from Nong Khiaw at 11:00. Departure from Muang Xay (New Bus Terminal) at 10:00. (updated Feb 2025). Buses from Luang Prabang cost 120,000 kip, leave three times a day and take about 6 hours. Buses from Kunming cost 350,000 kip (for a sleeper), take up to 15 hours. Departure at 12:00. Other daily buses come from Vientiane, Phongsali, Pak Beng, Muang Khua, and Bokeo. Buses to China also. Schedules can be found here.

By train

Four high speed trains run daily from Vientiane via Phonhong, Vang Vieng, Muang Kasi and Luang Prabang to Muang Xay (3 hours), with two continuing to Luang Namtha and Boten on the border with China. One train per day crosses the border and continues to Kunming, but as of April 2023 this doesn't stop in Muang Xay, you need to travel to Boten to join it. 2 Muang Xay railway station is 3 km west of town centre.

當地交通

The town is small enough to be navigated by foot.

必看景點

In town

Oudomxay Museum. The museum doesn't have much, but the view you have from the top of "Phou Sebey" mountain is very nice. Go there early in the morning, when the sun is still low. You can watch the town centre waking up and enjoy the morning light as it starts caressing the roofs before the day gets too hot.

Phu That Stupa (opposite the stairs to the museum there are similar stairs to climb, leading to an 18-m-high stupa). The stupa was built in the 14th century to allow all people of the region to come together to celebrate religious festivals. When the French came to control the land, the stupa grounds were made into an army camp until independence from France. During the first Vietnamese war the stupa was destroyed and only bricks were left. Reconstruction started in 1994 and finally concluded in 1997. Every full moon religious celebrations are held at the stupa. Since Apr 2010 there has been a golden, 15-m-high Buddha statue watching over Muang Xay from the top of Phou That, seeming to spur locals to new heights of devotion. Enjoy the view over the town and see the stupa and Buddha shining in the sunset. The monks at the nearby temple are always happy to practice their English with foreigners. (updated Feb 2025)

Nature Ban Chom Ong. An outstandingly beautiful village of about 500 people of the ethnic group Khmu. It is starting point to the biggest cave in Northern Laos. Surrounded by rice paddies, locked away by mountains, it is still largely untouched by modern influences. There is no electricity nor mobile phone signal in the village, but as compensation you'll get the chance to observe authentic village life. Handicraft production is engaging—most of the people still wear their traditional Khmu clothes. For their scarce visitors, the villagers have a basic bamboo guesthouse with an outside Lao-style bathroom (15,000 kip), and they will be happy to cook some good, solid meals for you (10,000-20,000 kip per person). There is very little Englis

體驗活動

Hiking. The local Provincial Tourist Office in Muang Xay offers some very nice hiking including night stays in Khamu family homes (not guesthouses), which makes the experience very special and intimate. Although not as colourful as other ethnic groups of Laos, the Khamu people are very nice and happy to have foreigners visit their villages. Massage (On the road circling the bottom of Phu That Stupa). 14:00-20:00. The Lao Red Cross offer very good massages. 1-hr massage, 40,000 kip; sauna, 15,000 kip.

購物

The Thai Ly Handicraft Shop opposite the airport street has some very nice traditional fabrics, bags and clothes. Banking. There are several banks in the town: BCEL, JDB, Indochina Bank. (updated Feb 2025) Chinese Market. Around Luxay Market, Chinese clothing, food, and housewares shops can be found. In contrast to the Lao shops, most of the Chinese shops are open until late at night. Fresh Market. Till 18:00. Muang Xay has three fresh food markets: Tin Market, Nonmengda Market, and Phoukhaiw Market. All are excellent places to discover the variety of unique foods that Oudomxay has to offer. Oudomxay has many food items and forest products that are either not available or in scarce supply in other parts of the country. The markets are open every day, however they are particularly colourful on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. At all the markets you will find products of different ethnic groups. (updated Feb 2025) Luxay Market (opposite the tourism office). Till 17:00. In this market you can find all sorts of products. Upstairs is the clothing and shoes section. Get your daily necessities at the market.

美食

Most local eateries close at 9pm, especially those serving Lao food. The night market and some Chinese restaurants stay open later.

Muang Neua Restaurant. International dishes and cocktails in a nice garden atmosphere. Prices are a bit higher than the norm and portions a bit smaller. Souphailin's Restaurant. A broad range of fresh Lao, European and vegetarian dishes. Portions are big, quality excellent, and low prices. The banana-coconut iced coffee, and the curry rice with pineapple and banana are recommended. Be patient with cooking times or order in advance when she has many customers. Oudomxay Night Market (ຕະຫຼາດແລງ). quite a big market square serving grills, hot pots and other Lao and Asian food. (updated Feb 2025)

飲品與夜生活

1 Cafe Amazon, Route 13. 06:30-19:30. iced latte ₭38,000. (updated Oct 2025) 2 Toukta Bakery & Café, Route 13. Also sells reasonably-priced Thai food. (updated Oct 2025)

住宿

There are many guesthouses in town, only a couple of which are not listed on any online booking platforms. As of Oct 2025, the average price for private room seems to be 300,000 kip. (Most prices below need to be updated).

Lithav