Introduction
Traditional wooden and bamboo houses are a feature of Muang Khua, a scenic town at the confluence of the Nam Phak and Nam La rivers. It's known for its hot springs - by the Muang La Resort - where villagers come to bathe and relax, surrounded by rainforest.
The journey south from Muang La to Luang Prabang passes one of Laos' prettiest villages, Nong Khiaw, on the banks of the Nam Ou River and surrounded by limestone peaks and fringed by tree-clad mountains.