2025 Tonpheung Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Visit the cultural and architectural beauty of our neighboring country at "Wat Thong Thip Phatthana Ram, Laos." This temple is home to Phra Chao Ton Luang, a Buddha statue discovered in mid-2024 on the sandy beach of Don Pheng Kham along the Mekong River, directly opposite Chiang Saen. The temple is rich in legends and historical significance, making it a fascinating destination. If you're visiting Chiang Saen District, you can easily cross over to explore this area in Laos. Location: Wat Thong Thip Phatthana Ram, Laos, located in Ton Pheng Town, Bokeo Province, Laos (directly across from Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, Thailand).

We had the chance to cross over from Thailand into Laos via boat, boarding at the ท่าเรือเอ็นจอย ริเวอร์ (Enjoy River Pier). It was a short but memorable ride across the legendary Mekong River—gentle ripples under the boat, views of lush greenery on both banks, and the feeling that we were truly crossing into another world. Our boat brought us to Donxao Island (ສວນວັດທະນະທຳບໍ່ແກ້ວ), a small spot on the Laos side that’s part market, part cultural curiosity. We didn’t wander far—mostly loitered around the pier for about an hour—but even that short time was eye-opening. The place felt raw and rustic. The shops were wooden stalls with zinc roofs, looking like they were assembled with whatever materials were at hand. The merchandise was… unexpected, to say the least. There were jars of snake wine, strange herbal liquors, and preserved animals in bottles. It was fascinating but also unsettling—a true culture shock. It became immediately clear that we were in a far less developed environment. The infrastructure was rudimentary. Facilities were basic, and cleanliness standards weren’t exactly high. Still, this made the experience feel raw and real—like stepping decades back in time. Though we didn’t venture far inland, the brief taste of Laos left a lasting impression. It was more of a glimpse than a full visit—but one that highlighted just how much things can change with just one river crossing. #summervacay #LaosAdventure #MekongRiver #BorderCrossing #ThailandToLaos #CulturalExperience #DonxaoIsland #TravelUnfiltered #laos #laostrip

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Visit Bo Kaew Chinatown King Roman Fun day and night Thai, Lao, Chinese food, happiness Enjoy delicious food at Huay Sai

What are Laotian weddings like? We were very lucky to encounter a friend of a friend's wedding during our travels in Pakse, Laos, and were invited to attend. Laotian weddings are very traditional and lively. The bride and groom wear gorgeous traditional costumes, with the bride's hair tied up in a high bun and adorned with gold and silver jewelry. They half-kneel in the center of the hall, facing a room full of flowers and an elder who presides over the ceremony. Behind them, the parents of the newlyweds also half-kneel, along with 20 or so relatives and friends who have come to bless the couple. I noticed that among the flowers there was a bundle of cash, probably around 50-60 thousand . I heard from a friend that it was a gift for the girl's parents to repay them for raising her. The host's ceremony is quite cumbersome. After reciting for a long time, the knot-tying ceremony begins. First, the bride and groom are tied together with white cotton thread, then their parents are tied together, and finally, each guest takes a white rope and ties it to the bride and groom's hands, with cash attached to the white rope, which is also a form of blessing. What's particularly interesting is that this couple met while studying abroad in China, and later worked together. China played the role of matchmaker for them, so they took a Chinese-style wedding photo. And Laotians are also very interested in Chinese culture. The Chinese yuan is also in circulation, so many people at the scene gave their gifts in yuan. After the ceremony, the group of men will start teasing the groom with various brushes and laundry detergent, saying that he should take care of all the household chores after getting married. This wedding was an unexpected surprise during our trip to Laos. The locals were very friendly to us. What do you think of this traditional wedding? If you have time, would you like to travel to Laos?

Kapok Island in Laos is located in Dongpeng County, northwest of Bokeo Province in the Golden Triangle of Laos. It is located on the banks of the Mekong River, at the junction of Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. To the east is the remnant of the Hengduan Mountains - Jinlong Mountain, and to the southwest is Chiang Rai, Thailand. It faces Myanmar and the Mekong River in the northwest. Many of the buildings on Kapok Island were built by the Chinese side. Among them, the "Anti-Drug Cultural and Creative Museum" is the first in the world with the theme of "Anti-drugs", with three aspects of drug prevention, drug resistance and drug rejection. The multi-sensory experience, entertaining and entertaining, brings more colorful anti-drug cultural education to the public. It is believed that in the near future, the Laos Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, vigorously promoted by the Golden Kapok Group, will become a golden paradise for the tourism industry in Southeast Asia and a magnificent gem showing the most beautiful customs in Southeast Asia.

In a village in the Golden Triangle Special Zone of Laos, there is a temple called Qilong Temple in Bujiao, which makes people feel calm when they arrive. The gorgeous and prominent colors, along with what we consider exaggerated sculptures, make me happy. It used to be the richest village in the special zone and still maintains its unique way of life. The world is noisy and crowded. Many times, you forget your persistence on the way forward. Here, you can really feel that faith, that inner persistence, and purify yourself. At Qilong Temple, it's better to calm down and have a good chat with your inner self. For a moment, time seems to be ineffective, and I ask myself what I want and what I want to do. After living in the special zone for a few days, I gained some precious insights. This illusion of crossing time makes my heart infinitely happy and a little sad. We are all mortals, and we don't have to demand too much from ourselves. Every flower and leaf, every thought, is enlightenment. It is the mind that becomes Buddha, and the mind is Buddha. The world is a great harmony, and we should all strive to do good without caring about others' opinions. "I am the only one."

Unexpectedly, Laos and Thailand are separated by nothing more than the narrow bends of the Mekong River. This evening, we arrived in Bojiao. The weather became slightly dry. When the car passed by the Mekong River, we stopped briefly and stood by the river to admire the sunset. In our hearts, we exclaimed: "It's so beautiful!" The river looks so calm, with the golden light of the setting sun shining on the surface of the water. The deep brown rocks are not afraid of the daily erosion of the river. Setting aside history, legends, and some true stories, this river is a beautiful and peaceful one. The other side of the river is Thailand, close enough to say hello to each other! On the riverbank, there is an ancient rock wall with Buddha statues carved on it. It is said to have a history of more than 600 years. Gold leaves are offered in front of the Buddha statues, and locals come here to worship.