preface

I have great respect for the gods and Buddhas in Southeast Asia, and every trip is a pilgrimage!

The winter in Hangzhou is particularly humid and cold, so I prayed in front of the Buddha: Let me travel, I want to go closer to you, I want to bask in the sun!

So Fono gave me a trip, and my surprise came suddenly. The itinerary was surprisingly simple and smooth.

Travel preparation

1、 Documents and photos: ID card, passport, 4 white background color photos (2 each used in Thailand and Laos)

Our itinerary includes two countries, Laos and Thailand. Both the return and return trips are from Pudong International Airport and Vientiane International Airport in Laos. The landing visa in Laos is very convenient, and we only have one flight to land at night.

Laos landing visa

The landing visa in Laos (commonly known as B3 visa) refers to a visa that can be obtained on-site at an airport or port in Laos without the need for prior application. The price is USD20, and the duration of stay is 30 days. You can apply with a passport and wait for it.

1. 1-2 white background color photos taken within the past 6 months, with a size of 2.5x3CM;

2. The validity period of a passport must be at least 6 months or more;

3. Arrive by plane;

4. Carry 5000 RMB or equivalent foreign currency (none of us were randomly selected during the actual trip, and if we did, everyone can contribute to the payment)

Reference for filling out Laos entry and exit cards

Reference for filling out Thai immigration cards

Laos and Vientiane are only separated by the Mekong River. If an individual passes through, they need to pay 4000 Kip to take a transit bus. The bus only shuttles between the exit hall of Vientiane in Laos and the entry hall of Langkai in Thailand. However, in the past, most travelers to these two places were in teams, and the tourism agency's bus can directly carry passengers through, which is very convenient.

2、 WiFi and phone

I feel suffocated without WiFi these days, but the solutions in Laos and Thailand are quite convenient.

Option 1: Carry a portable WiFi, which is actually a very good choice. It is most convenient to pick it up at the airport before boarding and return it directly at the airport when returning.

Scheme 2: Enable international roaming, such as the domestic launch of the [the Belt and Road Traffic Packet], and use the mobile phone's own daily traffic packet in Laos or Thailand. Now each operator's cap is 25-30 yuan, but I wonder if the two days from Thailand to Laos and from Laos to Thailand should be counted as the sum of each country's days? Welcome users with user experience to leave comments at the end of the article.

Option 3: It was also my choice. I entrusted the tour guide to purchase unlimited phone numbers for Laos. The local data card in Laos is valid for 7 days and costs 50 yuan per set. The Thai Happy Card has unlimited data for 7 days and costs over 20 yuan. As I was busy with work, I entrusted them all to the tour guide. It has been proven that these two data cards are very useful.

3、 Currency exchange

I completely entrusted it to the tour guide, and I really didn't bother with anything except for documents and clothing.

In Laos, the old currency used is called "Lapu" (LAK), and the exchange rate can be found on Baidu daily. The approximate estimate is that 10000 Lapu is equivalent to 8 Chinese yuan. I exchanged 120000 old currency of 100 Chinese yuan with the tour guide.

Thai baht used in Thailand can be swiped with Alipay and UnionPay cards at 7-11 convenience stores. Thai baht was used in night markets and temple offerings, and was exchanged for 500 baht of 120 yuan. The estimated usage of Thai baht is divided by 4, which is equivalent to how much Chinese yuan.

4、 Special carrying items

It's best to travel to Thailand and Laos now because it's really not too hot! The daily temperature is between 27-32, and summer clothing is the main choice. Comfort, lightness, and leisure are preferred. As the air conditioning in the car is sufficient, it is necessary to prepare a long sleeved clothing.

In addition to daily travel essentials, it is especially important to pay attention to sun protection when traveling to Laos and Thailand, including wearing hats, umbrellas, sunglasses, sun protection clothing, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, itching water, and so on; Seafood meals from both regions are the main focus, so for those with gastrointestinal problems, prepare laxatives; Consider carrying small amounts of personal regular medications.

5、 Other precautions

1. Free baggage allowance: 20kg checked in and 5KG carried by hand

2. Time difference between Laos and Thailand: 1 hour later than China

3. Socket: Laos and Thailand have a voltage of 220V, and the socket socket is basically the same as that in China, without the need for a conversion plug

4. Long pants, long sleeved shirts, shorts, swimwear pants are required, and women can wear skirts.

5. When visiting temples such as Taluan, Simon Temple, Grand Palace, and Xiangtong Temple in Laos, please note that men are not allowed to wear vests, shorts, or slippers, and women are not allowed to wear sleeveless tops, short skirts, or slippers.

scheduling

D1 Hangzhou Shanghai Vientiane, Laos

D2 Vientiane (South Lake) - Ulong, Thailand

D3 Ulong (Red Lotus Sea, Banqing Cultural Museum, UD town Night Market)

D4 Ulong (Cliff Temple Papugong Temple), Langkai (Salah Cave) - Vientiane (Night Tour: Taluan Temple, Triumphal Arch, French Street)

D5 Wanxiang (Simon Temple, Taluan Temple, Redwood Museum) - Shanghai

D6 Shanghai Hangzhou

Day1

At 3:35 pm on January 1, 2020, I boarded a bus to Shanghai Pudong International Airport at the airport terminal of Hangzhou East Railway Station. This was the first big Easter egg I met during the New Year.

This is a new car that was just put into operation today from Pudong Airport to Hangzhou Wulinmen and the East Railway Station terminal. There are a total of four cars, and we are the first passengers to enjoy this Easter egg!

This is the Weichai Yaxing "Vitesta" bus, with a black body and no nails at all. The new Vitesta bus is about 14 meters long and nearly 4 meters high, capable of carrying 66 people. Among similar buses in China, it is truly a "giant". Its body and front end all adopt the European yacht design concept, which not only has a beautiful and elegant appearance, but also fully considers safety. Experts from Asia Star have conducted computer simulation tests on vehicle impacts, and the results show that the impact force has been dispersed, reaching an international leading level. "At present, the lifespan of ordinary buses in society is 15 years, while this bus can last up to 20 years."

With a length of 13.7 meters, a high-end giant bus that could carry 66 people was only equipped with 23 business seats. The seat tilt angle can be adjusted through the intelligent buttons on the armrest, even at a height of 1.8 meters, it can almost lie flat. Free WIFI, film and television system, and headphones are provided. The 220V power socket, car refrigerator, water dispenser, storage box, and restroom are all available. If you don't say it's a long-distance bus, at first glance you might think it's first class on a plane.

On the first day of the New Year, encountering such a big Easter egg made all the passengers on the train very happy. Our ticket price for this trip was 120 yuan, and it took three and a half hours from Hangzhou East Railway Station Bus Station to Shanghai Pudong Airport, with one stop at the service station midway. According to the staff, there are currently four vehicles of this type put into trial operation, and the most likely time to take them is during the last two shifts at night.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

I arrived at Terminal T2 of Shanghai Pudong Airport around 7:00 pm.

After passing the security check, the first thing to do is to go to the legendary daily duty-free shop. Obviously, there is a lot of stock on Double Eleven, and I didn't buy much. However, it is necessary to keep up with the times and observe the market situation.

The time for boarding is still early, find a place to work. The VIP lounge of China Eastern Airlines Huanya 77 is very close to my boarding gate.

The result of the excellent food in the VIP hall of China Eastern Airlines is distraction. It is a piece of food. When you arrive at the VIP hall of China Eastern Airlines, you can definitely choose "a bowl of noodles of China Eastern Airlines". You can choose noodles or Rice noodles in the noodle stall. There are two delicious big fish balls in the topping. In addition, dried meat and vegetable dishes, as well as various kinds of coriander, onion, sauce and other flavored rice are also added by yourself, which is very enjoyable. The guests at China Eastern Airlines VIP are divided between Chinese and foreign, so the Western style pastries and desserts are also abundant, with a wide variety of bread and cookies, all of which are made very tempting; There are really many foreign liquors, and I can't imagine myself getting drunk and boarding the plane, so I didn't try.

Boarding at 23:45, the flight time is about 3:5 hours. The form for applying for a landing visa must be signed and submitted to the tour guide along with the passport before the plane lands. After the plane lands, the tour guide will handle it uniformly. After picking up our luggage, we left the airport hall. This red bus was sent by Lao Lao Heipi to pick us up. The Lao driver was really awesome. In the next few days, he helped us pick up and put away all our luggage. We don't need to do it ourselves!

Day2

Arriving at The Qube Hotel&, a subsidiary of China Greenland Group, the Platinum Li Suite Hotel in Vientiane; Suite Vientiane， With the arrival of the Chinese New Year, many Laotian infrastructure projects will be undertaken by Chinese enterprises, which is also a source of pride for Chinese people!

Everyone slept late, so the next day's itinerary will depart at 10:00. Before that, you can enjoy the hotel's rich breakfast and thank you for the first meal in Laos.

At breakfast time, the hardworking Golden Egg teacher also went out to take aerial photos. Under the aerial camera, Vientiane Laos is as beautiful as a fairy tale. Note: All the aerial photos in this article are from my friend's trip to Golden Egg.

South Russia Lake

In the morning, we went out to the Nan'e Lake scenic area. It took about 2 hours by car from the hotel to the scenic area. We departed at 10 am and arrived at the scenic area at lunchtime. So the tour of Nan'e Lake scenic area is accompanied by Chinese style dining on yachts, relaxed and carefree.

The meal we enjoyed on the boat was very to my taste. As a food blogger, I particularly enjoy authentic cuisine. In Laos and Thailand these days, we have been able to eat a golden egg every meal because we can see chicken coops and freely running chickens on the roadside. These plump fish all come from South Russia Lake, which is easy to prick and has a very rich meat texture.

Even if it's a common occurrence in Laos, there are two world-class treasures. One is Lao beer, also known as Lao beer, which is one of the top ten beers in the world. The wort concentration of old beer is 12%, with an alcohol content of about 5 degrees. It is highly recommended to add ice cubes when drinking, as the taste is very refreshing and sharp;

Another one is Laotian glutinous rice, which is known as the "hometown of glutinous rice". Glutinous rice has become the staple food of Laotians, and Laos is also a country in the world where glutinous rice overwhelms ordinary indica and japonica rice. Lao people eat glutinous rice three times a day. Generally, they soak it in water for one night. The next day, they steam it into Rice and vegetable roll and eat it directly with fish sauce. This habit has a history of thousands of years. A key point for us is that Laos is still a country without fertilizers, so the crops here are all organic. The sticky rice in front of us is packed in a small bamboo basket. When we open the lid of the basket, we take a bite with a natural fragrance, which is a gift from heaven!

When we had almost finished the dinner on the boat, our yacht also sailed to an unnamed small island located in the center of Lake Nan'e, which is very conducive to aerial photography and also suitable for capturing some cultural content. We are all photography enthusiasts here, so everyone has their own place.

There is a very interesting bamboo weaving shop on the island, where the craftsmen at the entrance weave from us on the island until we leave. It is hard to imagine that the various bamboo weaving products in these large rooms would be made by a few simple people, covering a wide range of categories and quantities, which is astonishing.

In addition to bamboo weaving, there are also many seafood products piled up there for sale. I feel that these bamboo weaving or seafood products should not only be sold to tourists like us, because tourists don't buy many, and it's difficult to carry these baskets and seafood. Language is also difficult to communicate with. Laotians can really learn from us in business. It would be great if there was a try or an introductory text explanation.

Having seen our Qiaqia melon seeds, these days in supermarkets and convenience stores in Laos and Thailand, you will see a lot of food exported from China. In small shops in Laos, there are many puffed foods.

Everyone is curious about this place, and they will examine all the bamboo weaving one by one, even the way they hang them is fascinating. I will also buy a few portable small baskets, such as the small bamboo basket used for wrapping glutinous rice on the boat just now, which is very popular.

Just as we were playing in the shop, several teachers' aerial blockbusters had also been born. Nan'e Lake, formerly known as Tara Reservoir (also known as Qiandao Lake), is the largest lake in Laos and the largest artificial lake in the Mekong Sub basin. It is located 60 kilometers northeast of Vientiane in the lower reaches of the Nan'e River. It is a typical forest lake intertwined with the mountains and lakes of Niujiaoshan National Forest Park. From a distance, the mountains are intertwined with water, and the water surrounds the mountains. It is elegant and beautiful, with clear water and green mountains, fully reflecting the characteristics of Laos as a mountain and forest country. The South Russia River originates from the Xieng Plateau and flows from north to south. Within a short distance, it flows from the mountains into the plains. The downstream is mostly meandering and joins the Mekong River in the northeast of Vientiane. In 1971, Laos built its first large-scale reservoir on the South Russia River. The dam was 66 meters high and 300 meters long, with a maximum water storage capacity of up to 8.5 billion cubic meters. The water level of the dam was raised, and most of the peaks on both sides of the river were submerged by water. The exposed hills became beautiful and enchanting small islands, with a maple leaf shaped lake surface of 390 square kilometers, which is about equal to the island country of Malta in Europe, or close to half of Singapore. There are many islands in the lake, totaling more than 300, so it is also known as Thousand Island Lake. The picturesque South Russia Lake is known as the "Lao Sea" by the inland Laotians.

I am from Hangzhou, and Qiandao Lake is one of my favorite places to go on vacation. Nan'e Lake is really similar to Qiandao Lake.

When leaving Nan'e Lake, there was also a small market outside the scenic area selling dried fish.

What impressed me the most were the pile of chicken cages along the road and the chickens running around. I envy Hangzhou because it is a city without live birds, and all the chickens and ducks are fresh and frozen. I hardly buy chickens and ducks locally in Hangzhou, and only buy a chicken and duck stew when I go to the countryside during festivals and holidays. The delicious taste of local chickens and ducks has been a childhood dream for a long time. Now it seems that coming to Laos can still be achieved.

Edge Mirror Hall

The next drive will be the longest in these days, about 3 hours, and we are going to Thailand. Laos and Thailand are only separated by the Mekong River, and when processing transit, people and vehicles need to be separated. We need to hold passports, 2-inch photos, and entry and exit cards to queue up at the border checkpoint. However, the process is actually very smooth. After leaving the border hall, the bus will also come over and get on the bus to the restaurant for tonight's dinner.

After Thai tea is served, ice buckets are always brought at the same time. In short, both Thailand and Laos cannot drink or drink without ice cubes.

I had Thai food at night, and Dongyin Gong Tang is very representative of Thai food.

Thai cuisine is quite similar to Laotian cuisine, or Thai cuisine may have a more natural flavor of spices.

Beef Fried Rice is very delicious, mainly because Thai rice is really worth eating more bowls. We first ate rice and added Fried Rice.

In Thailand or Laos, watermelon, papaya, pineapple, and mango are the most common fruits to pair with.

After dinner, we were excited to clock in at 7-11 Supermarket. Ha ha, I think what I like most in Thailand is 7-11. This time, I bought salted egg yolk Pepsi potato chips strongly recommended by Golden Egg Teacher (there is no such thing in China, no reason!), as well as fresh milk I like to drink, ready to eat crab fillet... There is no barrier to payment, and Alipay showed that the double currency Thai Baht 90.50, RMB 20.99, is outstanding at a glance!

Brown House Hotel Udonthani

I stayed at the Brown House Hotel Udonthani in the evening

The Brown House Hotel Udonthani is located in Udon Thani and also offers free and dedicated services to the UD city area and Central Plaza Udon, which is quite interesting. You can experience Thailand's unique Dudu car, and this outdoor swimming pool is also very charming. When we went, someone happened to have a lawn wedding by the pool the next day. The lawn was draped with gauze, and when we woke up in the morning, it looked particularly romantic.

Show off your room, today's itinerary ends here. Good night, good dream. Tomorrow, we will continue to share the story of a new day with everyone!

Day3

Wake up at 7:00 am on the third day, there is a one hour time difference between Thailand and China. At this time, the sky is still hazy from the balcony. If it weren't for the girls taking more time to wash up, they could have gone out to catch the sunrise. Because they will continue to live in Brown House tonight, there is no need to pack their luggage. After washing up, bring your equipment and go to the restaurant on the first floor for breakfast

Brown House's buffet breakfast is also very Thai, especially the glutinous rice in the Dazhu basket. I heard several photography teachers in Shanghai say that you can put some sugar into the Rice and vegetable roll, which must be very delicious.

Red Lotus Sea (Red Lotus Lake)

After breakfast, depart for Honglian Lake, which is located in Gongpawadi County in the southern part of Ulongtani City. Nonghan Lake in the county is the place where Honglian is in full bloom.

At the Honglian Lake dock, there are several types of boats. If you like to take personal photos, we highly recommend a two person flat boat, all made of wood. The most common type of boat we take is the one we ride on, which can accommodate six passengers per boat. It is electric, and the boatman will take the boat all the way to the most beautiful place where the red lotus flowers bloom in the center of the lake. Stop at the center of the lake and change positions several times to allow tourists to take enough photos.

For Red Lotus Lake, European and American tourists are more familiar with it. CNN once specifically reported on it, and in a selection of the world's 15 wonders, Red Lotus Lake ranked second. So many European and American tourists, especially photography enthusiasts, come specifically to check in. The flowering period of the Red Lotus Flower Sea is from December to March of the following year. In December, the flower buds are most abundant, and January to February is the peak time for the red lotus to bloom. The best viewing time every day is from 06:00 to 11:00, because the most beautiful time for the red lotus to bloom is in the morning.

Lotus is a symbol of holiness, and many bodhisattvas sit on it. Guanyin holds a clear lotus, representing purification of all afflictions. The feeling given by the sea of red lotus flowers is truly dreamy, as beautiful as a fairyland outside the world.

The selfie with the boatman in the previous PO, by the way, when going to the Red Lotus Sea, it is recommended to also take proper sun protection. The temperature in Ulong in January is not too high and won't make you sweat profusely, but the UV index remains consistent throughout the year.

By the way, there is a long snack street near the Honglian Lake pier.

Roast fish and roasted chicken are the two most commonly seen grilled foods. The grilled fish will be coated with thick salt, and the taste of salt baked fish will be similar.

Many locals eat here, but in fact, the lives of Thai and Laotian people are quite leisurely and slow paced, so although their income index may not be high, their happiness index is still quite high.

Noon restaurant, Chang~

At noon, there is also a round table with six people, and the dishes are very rich. There are two pots on the table, one with chicken mushrooms and the other with cabbage, eggs, tofu, mushrooms and many other dishes. Don't ask me the name of the dish, I also rely on "seeing" and "tasting" to imagine the name of the dish. In short, I think it is very suitable and the food is very appetizing!

This magical fish has a plump taste with few thorns and large roots, making it easy to remove. The meat can be paired with vegetables and dipped in sauce. I asked the local tour guide sister in Laos what fish this is, and she even went to ask the salesperson, but she didn't know, haha.

After the meal, a triple combination of watermelon, pineapple, papaya, and salad dressing.

Banqing Cultural Museum (Banqing Site)

The museum is not very large, and the exhibition area is a two-story building. The environment of the entire museum park presents the unique natural scenery of Southeast Asia.

The Banqing Site is located in the Ulong region of Thailand and was previously unknown. In the 1960s and 1970s, since a prehistoric cemetery, a large number of bronze artifacts, and prehistoric human remains were discovered underground, this once unknown town suddenly caught the attention of the world and became an important page in Thai history. Banqing is regarded as the most important prehistoric settlement in Southeast Asia, and is the center of human culture, society, and technological progress.

The main exhibition items of the museum are various excavated pottery relics, and the prehistoric site of the cultural relics period is restored through painted sculptures.

At the same time, the venue also showcased scenes from the archaeological discoveries made by American archaeologist Chester, who was the director of the joint exploration team at the time, in memory of this great archaeologist.

UD TOWN

I really enjoy this free foraging itinerary at the night market. After the daytime trip, we returned to the Brown House Hotel and rested for a while. When night fell, we set off together for UD town. Today's dinner was self consumed by everyone.

On the way to the night market, I exchanged 120 yuan for 5000 baht with the tour guide. The tour guide didn't have any loose money, so we exchanged 240 yuan for 10000 baht. However, when I arrived at the night market, I couldn't use the money because it was too big and the vendors couldn't find it. Later, we went to TESCO Group Supermarket first, bought some snacks and changed the money before returning to the night market to buy food.

I have been to Thailand several times, and the impression I have is that there are many supermarkets, convenience stores, and night food stalls. During the day, when tourist buses shuttle through the city, I feel that there are really few people. At night, when I arrive at the night market, I find that there are really many people! Large supermarkets in Thailand are very comfortable to stroll around, usually in a separate whole building, unlike some supermarkets that are located on the basement. There will also be many individual small shops around the supermarket.

At night, we saw that local banks in Thailand were all operating, but Citibank, a Japanese company, had already closed.

In this TESCO Group Supermarket, we really didn't go out of sight. We felt that 7-11 was not as attractive as 7-11. We were hungry and found that there was no cooked food area. We bought some small packaged snacks and quickly left

The night market is really big, there are several areas, and the outdoor areas are basically juice and skewers. I strongly recommend freshly squeezed juice. Avocado milk costs 40 baht, which is equivalent to 10 yuan. It's a super strong and pure super cup! My 10000 baht was politely rejected in the open-air area because the single items here are really cheap, all for tens of baht. By the way, traveling to Thailand is really getting better and better now. Chinese classes are offered in universities in Thailand, and many young people in Thailand speak Chinese very well. I encountered it during a night market, and when we wanted to buy juice, they helped us talk to the store owner. It was really amazing!

At first, I thought I was only eating the open-air one, but later I realized that the night market here is incredibly large! There are several night markets, including several food and snacks, as well as grocery and clothing areas.

The food and snack area is simply the paradise I long for!

The seafood here is really tempting, and grilled fish is definitely worth trying at this time! A whole box of plastered crabs costs 400 baht~

When you finish ordering, remember to take the number plate. Once it's burned, the shop owner at the stall will find the plate and deliver it to your desk!

Powder stalls, noodle stalls, and other condiments will be placed prominently at the stalls.

The tableware will be fixed in several locations throughout the night market, and you can pick it up yourself. There will also be a seasoning table next to it, and the tableware gives me a very clean feeling.

This bowl of noodles costs 40 baht and 10 yuan, it's cheap and delicious!

After finishing my meal, I casually strolled by. I remember the first time I came to Thailand alone many years ago, when I went to KFC to eat, I secretly laughed at myself and went to Thailand to eat Western fast food. Now I feel different when I see KFC. This is a brand in our country. Dad Ma, who was rejected when he applied for KFC, bought all the foreign equity in KFC. Wow! It is visionary for the next generation to love KFC so much, knowing that one day it will belong to their hometown style and no longer be foreign fast food.

I reached 7-11 again and continued to buy a lot of small items. I started collecting things to take home one after another

20: 30. Travel companions scattered in the night market make an appointment to walk back together, each carrying a different harvest!

Day4

Cliff Temple (Wat Pa Phu Kon)

The aerial photos are from my friend "Golden Egg's Travel", and the photos of the sleeping Buddha statue are from the internet.

After checking out for breakfast, we went to visit the dreamy cliff temple of Papukorn Temple in Thailand. Papukorn Temple is surrounded by a vast forest and was built by believers who protect the forest and implement the conservation of forest and biodiversity resources advocated by the King of Thailand. This concept will be passed down to future generations. The main hall of the temple houses a 20 meter long white marble reclining Buddha, imported from Italy. At night, the marble reclining Buddha shines brilliantly under the light. Although I have always believed that shooting Buddha statues through pictures and articles to gain more people's respect would also be a spiritual act of charity, I am still timid due to the influence of public opinion. I will not shoot Buddha statues until no one can provide a correct explanation.

Papugong Temple is located on the mountaintop, with winding mountain roads. After the tourist bus arrives, you need to transfer to a shuttle bus to climb the mountain. The Papugong Temple is very beautiful. I have visited many temples in Southeast Asia, and the colors are mostly gold and red. This is the first blue temple I have ever encountered, hidden under the blue sky and white clouds. The beauty is intoxicating, and the camera's performance is somewhat distorted. In reality, the sky is blue and blue at this time, with clouds floating above my head. It feels like I can touch it with my hand.

There are spiritual beasts guarding the entrance of the main hall.

The corridors outside the main hall are guarded by gods and beasts.

Remember to wear slippers when entering the temple, and girls should wear knee length skirts. Do not make loud noises, and do not step on or touch objects in the temple with your feet. In Thai culture, feet are impure objects, and it is very, very impolite to step on things inside temples (including thresholds) or even kick them with your feet. When giving alms, do not give money directly to monks. Instead, give food, flowers, or small gifts. If you want to give money as gifts, you need to find a dedicated place to donate money or buy some souvenirs from the temple; If you want to take photos and leave a lasting impression in a temple, remember not to compare it to scissorhands. You can use the Ten Rites.

When encountering monks, one should respect their religious habits and give way first. If a girl meets a monk, she should never have physical contact with him. If a monk is accidentally touched by a woman while reciting a sutra, his previous efforts will be in vain and he must start from scratch. On the contrary, when boys meet nuns, they also need to maintain a good distance.

Do not make a dedicated seat for monks. In public transportation or some rest spaces in Thailand, there will be dedicated seats for monks. Please be careful not to sit in a monk's seat or next to a monk.

When I entered the temple, I learned from the locals and stuffed 20 Thai baht into the fundraising box in front of the monks. Then, I took a yellow cloth for worship, which also had a portrait of the reclining Buddha as a substitute for incense. I followed the local crowd and walked around the reclining Buddha three times, silently praying in my heart. Then, I made a wish in front of the Buddha statue, and after making the wish, I stacked the yellow cloth in front of the Buddha. The portrait can be taken away. Of course, I don't know if what I did conforms to the local rules, but I drew gourds according to them. There were many locals who came to the Papugong Temple, and they were all sitting and devoutly praying, so I also made a wish in front of the Buddha. Without any filming, the person entering the door was facing the jade reclining Buddha. The Buddha's statue had a very peaceful and peaceful expression. As soon as they entered the main hall, they immediately calmed down and their mood was very relaxed. Behind the reclining Buddha are rows of photo exhibitions, showcasing all the major events of the temple after its completion, as well as on-site photos of high-level monks, political figures, and well-known members of the community attending some major conferences.

The Papugong Temple is built on the mountaintop, and in the design process, it is based on the terrain of the mountain, so the building is not symmetrical, which also reflects the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. By the way, this time our aerial photography was applied for by Mr. Hi Pi, and if you go, you also need to obtain approval before you can proceed with the aerial photography to avoid unnecessary disputes.

Papugong Temple does not accept tickets.

The restaurant is located by the Mekong River, with delicious lunch and a variety of dishes that are refreshing and appetizing. Our team this time, except for me, are all photographers from Shanghai. The food arranged by Lao Heipi is quite suitable. By the way, since you can't miss Lao Beer in Vientiane, you can't miss LEO in Thailand either. I think the food is delicious, good rice is the key, and the beer is delicious; Adding ice cubes to the temperature is crucial, and this refreshing taste is related to the comfort of the weather.

The restaurant is located by the Mekong River. After dinner, everyone strolls around the river, throwing small stones and splashing water. This section of the Mekong River is really not wide. Those who can swim can cross it at once, but it is absolutely not allowed now. In the past, illegal crossing is necessary. The tour guide said that tourists used to like to put Kongming lanterns on the banks of the Mekong River, but now it is also not allowed because if Kongming lanterns float over, it is also considered a violation.

SALA KAEW KU - One of the Seven Wonders of Thailand

The Sara Wat is the most worthwhile attraction to visit in Langkai Prefecture. It is one of the Seven Wonders of Thailand, built in 1978 and took over 20 years to complete. Its story is also very sobbing.

These more than 200 statues were made by one person. The sculptor himself was from Langkai, Thailand. Langkai used to be from Laos, and there were over 300 statues in the Xiangkun Temple in Laos that were all his works. However, due to his lack of political recognition, he was later imprisoned. At this time, Langkai had already belonged to Thailand, and his relatives finally rescued him from prison. After Langkai, he could no longer see his work at Xiangkun Temple. This person was in great pain, so someone gave him another piece of land and asked him if he could build another temple like Xiangkun Temple, reigniting his ideals. In 1978, he began to build this temple and built 20. Over the years, countless amounts of money have been spent to form the current scale. But when he sculpted over 200 Buddha statues at the age of 72, he fell and passed away. Later, people named this temple after him.

As soon as you enter the sculpture park, the most impressive thing is that these seven giant snakes provide shelter from the wind and rain for the Buddha who is practicing, full of imagination.

This ancient Brahman temple has over 200 statues of various sizes, each with exquisite carvings and vivid expressions. Each statue has a profound legend and story, and each story is long. I think I will write this travelogue in sections because I have heard so many stories in the past few days. I really want to share these magical things with everyone, and I feel that I also have the ability to read pictures and tell stories. However, due to space limitations, I still hope that everyone has the opportunity to listen and read them in person, and understand the inner peace that this Buddhist kingdom brings to you. Beautiful.

The admission fee for this scenic spot is 20 Thai baht for Thai people and 40 Thai baht for foreigners. The tour guide told us that this is essentially a sculpture park, and locals love to take photos while worshipping Buddha. There is no ban on aerial photography here, and tourists from all over the world are welcome to take photos. It seems that the creator's hard work can make people from all over the world see his works, and knowing that he is impressed by him may also be a consolation for his regretful life.

There are also four Buddhas worshipped in the temple, and I have invited fragrant flowers, worshipped the Buddha, and asked for a sign.

The Sarawak Caves are filled with fantastic imagination, inspiring the determination to search for the other six wonders of Thailand.

In the evening, we returned to Vientiane, Laos. Speaking of the most people in Laos in recent years are Koreans, so the influence of Koreans on Laos is also significant. For example, the restaurant we are going to tonight specializes in Korean style edge burners.

The edge cooker was originally a Cantonese style hot pot belonging to China. The main ingredients are sashimi, squid slices, raw Prawn cracker slices, etc. The main cooking technique is boiling. After arriving in South Korea, I couldn't do without barbecue no matter what, so the Korean style edge grill became a middle grill, with a hot circle. In Laos, the dipping sauce in the Korean edge grill felt like it was still Laotian.

This restaurant's edge burner is self-service, so you can continue to add more ingredients if you don't have enough. Generally, a table with two large plates of ingredients will be very full. This shop is also very good at drinking old beer and cola, and the business is really booming.

It's only a two to three hundred meter walk from our dinner restaurant to Talan. After dinner, we went to Talan to eat and bought fresh coconut from a nearby coconut shop. Then we went to the Arc de Triomphe, which is located in the center of the city and was built to commemorate the liberation of Laos in 1975. It is a landmark building in Vientiane. The appearance is similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, connecting the bustling streets, but the internal structure has a strong Buddhist culture. The Buddha statues carved on the door and the characters in mythological stories are full of religious colors.

The Arc de Triomphe in Laos, also known as Patuxay, is 45 meters high and 24 meters wide. It is located in the center of Vientiane, near the Prime Minister's Office and facing the Presidential Office from a distance. Construction began in 1960 and was basically completed in 1969. It is a large monument. Originally intended to commemorate the sacrificial personnel in the war. In 1975, during the liberation, the crowd in Vientiane celebrated the victory by passing through here, which was called the Arc de Triomphe to commemorate this historic event.

On the side of the Arc de Triomphe is the Prime Minister's Office. In the late 1960s, the Chinese government donated 10 million yuan to help the Laotian government renovate the Arc de Triomphe and the square, making it the beautiful open park it is today. Next to the fountain in front of the Arc de Triomphe stands a small stone flat, engraved with the national flags and texts of the two countries, making people forever remember the friendship between China and Laos. Climbing the Arc de Triomphe offers a panoramic view of everything.

Seeing the beautiful building next to it, I quickly pressed the shutter button and later found out that this was the Prime Minister's Office of Laos.

French Street - The Petty bourgeois sentiment in Vientiane City

The team itinerary for that day has come to an end, but we are still unsatisfied. Lao Hippi's guide said he is willing to take our "capable" teachers to France Street to experience a different kind of atmosphere. Speaking of France Street, Laos will never forget its historical memory because Laos was once a French colony for 47 years, leaving behind French style buildings in many parts of Laos. This French street in Vientiane is a gathering place for tourists or permanent workers from many European and American countries (we also walked past the EU Embassy in Laos near the French street).

In the streets of France, there will be the most vibrant Western restaurants and bars in Vientiane. It is very romantic here, but in fact, having a few drinks and soaking in a bar for a night is also very comfortable. Next to the singer was an old beer, occasionally moistening his throat. When he saw a group of photographers with long guns and short cannons taking photos, the singer was a bit shy, but extremely happy.

Wanxiang Moonlight Island Hotel - a hotel that has hosted headless guests from various countries

Finally, I had a great time strolling around and took two chubby taxis back to the hotel. It is a high-end hotel with a great story in Vientiane, because our hotel has stayed here before! The location of the hotel is very good and beautiful. Our balcony is directly facing the Mekong River. The beautiful scenery will continue to be shared in the morning and tomorrow.

Day5

luna island hotel

In fact, from the beginning of the itinerary, we had some expectations for this hotel. On the first day, Mr. Hi Pi's guide introduced us to a hotel where we would also stay in Vientiane, where we had received leaders from multiple countries. When we arrived at night, we felt the extraordinary atmosphere of the hotel. Although the hotel has a sense of history, every detail showcases honor.

The annex on the side of the main building.

The front of the hotel has a magnificent square, which is indeed very suitable for large-scale ceremonial receptions, and the hotel's location is also very good. The back is the Mekong River, and our room is the River View Room.

Breakfast is super rich, and guests can also find that the occupancy rate of this hotel is really high, with most of the guests being Korean and Japanese.

The day before, Lao Heipi's guide told us that in the morning, we could walk to the temple across the Mekong River or the hotel on our own. I seemed to be the only person who chose to come to the temple. I arrived earlier in the morning, and the main hall of the temple was closed. There was no one in the entire temple. Walking alone in a magical and bright morning light, my mood was as calm as a spring breeze.

I paid my respects to the main hall and circled around it. There were thousands of ancient trees in the temple, and on the way, I found a beautiful and intact egg blossom. I inserted it into my hair bun.

Simon Temple

Simon Temple, also known as Shencheng Temple, is the most popular temple in Vientiane. Many locals and tourists come here every day to pray for blessings, especially loved by Thai tourists.

Simon's Temple was first built in 1536. Legend has it that when the temple was first built, a pregnant woman named Si Meuang volunteered to lay the foundation and jumped into the pit where the city pillar was placed. Si Meuang has always protected the local believers, and Simon Temple has become the "Mother Temple" of Vientiane.

So here is a special reminder to everyone: locals believe that praying at Simon Temple is very effective, but they cannot pray for children or grandchildren at Simon Temple. Other wishes are acceptable.

The gate of Simon Temple is guarded by two huge Vajra statues on either side, and upon entering the temple, one can see many Buddha statues, Vajra statues, and legendary character sculptures. On the CityPillar temple, there lives an old eagle who never leaves the stone Buddha, which is very magical; There is a statue of Si Meuang next to the Stone Sitting Buddha, blessing the local people. Next to the City Pillar is the main hall of the temple, which is uniquely divided into two rooms. The outer room is for people to ward off evil spirits and pray for blessings. A monk helps you recite scriptures and tie ropes, which is a local custom. After three days, taking them off can ensure safety; There is also an emerald jade Buddha and a wishing stone enshrined here. You can also apply for a visa here. If you are lucky, you can see the newlyweds coming out here, and the monks will tie ropes and recite gold for them. Also, in Laos, motorcycles are the most important means of transportation for families. When they buy a new motorcycle, they will come here to ask the monks to tie ropes and recite gold. We happened to see such a scene.

There is a magnificent altar placed in one of the rooms inside, which houses many Buddha statues. People can also offer incense and pray for blessings here. On the square outside Simon Temple, there is also a statue of King Sisavangvong.

Taluan Temple - National Logo

The Ta Luan Temple, which appears on the currency of Laos, is also a symbol of Laos Buddhism and the country. Ta Luan means "Great Pagoda" or "Imperial Pagoda". Located about 3 kilometers northeast of the city center of Vientiane, Laos, Ta Luan Square is a crystallization of Buddhist culture and art, and is considered a national treasure of Laos. Of course, Laos has encountered many setbacks in its history, so temples throughout the country have been repeatedly destroyed. The current Pagoda Luan has also been repaired and is a brick and stone structure of Buddhist architecture, a group of pagoda buildings, and enjoys a high reputation in architectural art. Covering an area of over 8400 square meters, the entire building is square in shape, with a gray brick structure and a unique architectural style. The bottom of the main tower is composed of three huge square seats, and there are worship pavilions in the center on four sides; Divided into three layers, it means that Buddha said three realms.

Outside the west gate of Taluan, there is a bronze statue of the king of Setatila, while outside the south and north gates, there are the South and North Taluan Temples, which are often inhabited by monks. The Ta Luan Festival is held here every November, which is the largest temple fair among the people and the most grand and grand religious festival in the country. In addition to offering sacrifices, people also buy small birds in small cages at the entrance to release and pray for blessings in front of the Buddha statue.

The surrounding corridors have exhibitions of sculptures, stone tablets, and images and texts.

Actually, I would like to recommend the small market at the exit of Taluan. The handicrafts inside are not expensive, and the embroidery is really excellent. On the contrary, the zippers and other accessories imported from China on it are inferior. Also, the durian lollipop sold by the street vendor at the entrance has a strong durian flavor, and it feels like there is also durian flesh inside. It's really delicious, 5000 Lao coins.

Laotian Redwood Museum

The Laotian Redwood Museum, now also known as the Divine Wood Museum, to be honest, when I saw the itinerary, I looked down on this type of wooden museum a bit. It was probably all about carving, and after going there, I realized that there was a unique cave. Firstly, the Redwood Museum is a private museum, belonging to Mr. Percy, the richest man in Vientiane. However, it can also be said that he has nothing but wood now, as he has collected all his assets. He loves wood like life, and is also a person who saves wood. Ordinary tourists visiting the inner hall here are not allowed to take photos, and floors above the second floor are not open to ordinary tourists.

These woods are all abandoned by others in the primitive forest, cut down or burned down by fire, buried in soil, and salvaged from water. Through clever carving and design, they are displayed in front of people. And each piece of work embodies the stories of collection and creation.

I was very fortunate to have visited the entire museum, and surprisingly, a camera storage card was filled with photos. Every piece here is a rare treasure, and there is also the legend of the town hall agarwood. I will slowly sort it out and share it in a separate article with everyone.

Time flies, and at the end of the itinerary, Old Hi Pi said he wanted to take us to a super famous meat and bone restaurant. However, after dinner, he arrived at the restaurant and the staff said the meat and bones were sold out. Hahaha~Leave some regrets for more reasons to come next time!

So we ordered beef platter and Rice noodles. It was delicious. Each of us had two bowls of Rice noodles. Some teachers wanted to add flour alone, but the Laotians were not so flexible in doing business. There was no Rice noodles plus one, so we had to add all of them. Teacher Golden Egg and I were perfect. He only wanted Rice noodles, and I just wanted soup and ingredients, which hit it off! There is a vegetable basket in the center of the store, which contains all kinds of clean fresh vegetables that can be soaked in Rice noodles by themselves. Unfortunately, I found that it was too late to put the soup when it was cold.

After dinner, I also drank internet famous coffee in the store. Lao coffee is really delicious, but I also want to tell an interesting thing here. If you buy drinks in Laos without ice, the salesperson will give you half a cup of pure drink. Haha, that's just how they are!

Lao Airlines

The round-trip passengers are all Lao Airlines, with direct flights from Shanghai Pudong Airport and Vientiane Airport. The meals for the journey are prepared by Pudong Airport, while those for the return journey are prepared by Vientiane Airport. Don't forget to have the last chance to experience Laos. You can choose Lao Beer for your drinks and ice cubes!

Day6

The flight landed at Shanghai Pudong Airport at 23:05. I booked a fast hotel near the airport, which offers transfer services. In the evening, when I arrived at the airport and left, the hotel's transfer car was already waiting for me. This is actually a shuttle bus shared by several hotels around the airport, running every half hour between each hotel and the two terminals of Pudong Airport. The next morning, I still took this bus to T1 terminal, took Line 2 to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, took the high-speed train at 9:40, and returned to Hangzhou at 10:00 in the morning, perfectly making it to my noon appointment that day!

Ctrip Travel Network's recommended itinerary:

Laos Thailand Wonderland Tour [Laos+Thailand 5-day 4-night group tour (4 diamonds)]

Ctrip booking link: https://vacations.ctrip.com/tour/detail/p25292399s2.html