3 interesting to see in Vieng Phoukha |
|
Nam Ha National Protected Area The mountainous center of Luang Namtha Province has been designated as the Nam Ha National Protected Area (NPA). It was first established by a prime minister's order in 1993 and stretches from the Chinese border through the middle of the province, covering over 240,000 square-hectares. The Nam Ha NPA's landscape is very diverse, characterized by an ever changing mosaic of |
|
|
|
|
swidden fields and regenerating forests. Very old forest remains in a few remote areas due to inaccessibility and local custom. Within the NPA boundaries there are two peaks that exceed 2,000 meters, as well as an abundance of rivers and streams. The NPA's main purpose is to protect biodiversity and habitat for wildlife found in northern Laos . Species such as Tiger, Leopard and the huge Gaur (a type of wild cow) still roam the forest throughout the reserve, although large mammals are very hard to see because of low populations densities and fear of people. Residents that are easier to encounter are the some 300 species of birds, which include Silver Pheasants, jewel-like Blue and Eared Pittas as well as a diversity of Bulbuls. On the highest peaks there are species more closely associated with the Himalayas that are found in only a few other parts of Laos. |
|
|
|
Caves Vieng Phouka Town is surrounded by karst limestone mountains that have many interesting and beautiful caves. Formed by centuries of weathering that has gradually carved huge caverns out of the porous limestone, Vieng Phoukha's caves have some of the most beautiful underground formations in northern Laos. During prehistoric times many of the caves might have been inhabited by people, but today |
|
|
|
|
they primarily support nesting swifts and thousands of roosting bats of over a dozen species. Some of the most accessible are the caves near Nam Eng Village ( Tham Kao Rao ) and the network of caverns at the base of the Phou Prasat limestone formation near Tha Louang Village. |
|
|
|
|
Black-cheeked Crested Gibbon The forests of South-east Asia are inhabited by primitive apes known as gibbons. Gibbons differ from other Asian primates in that they do not have a tail. They live primarily in tall forest where they can swing from tree to tree using their incredibly long and thin arms. There are five species of gibbon found in Laos, and the Black-cheeked Crested Gibbon is certainly the rarest. |
|
|
|
|
There are very few records and even fewer studies on this species. Their known range is very small with a few families living in Bokeo province and a very small, localized population in Vieng Phoukha. Perhaps the most amazing thing about gibbons is that they sing to each other. This mostly happens early in the morning on dry days, although they can burst into song in the middle of the day if so inclined. If you make it to a high ridge top at daybreak you may be lucky enough to hear their ethereal songs floating across the valley. |
|
| |
|
|
|
| • Getting to and around Vieng Phoukha |
| • Post and Communications |
| • Where to Stay and eat |
| • Outstanding trekking in forests, mountains and through villages |
| • Encounter and learn about village life |
| • Visit cultural sites (e.g museum, stupa) |
| • Relax and enjoy local food and handicraft at the night market |
| • 3 thing interesting places to see in Vieng Phoukha |
| • Notes on the History of Vieng Phoukha |
| • Contact Vieng PhoukhaTourism Office |
|
