There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Laos. All are cultural sites.
Map of World Heritage Sites in Laos
Laos UNESCO Sites
Town of Luang Prabang (1995)
The town of Luang Prabang was recognized into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Laos since it is the best example of traditional architecture and urban structures in the country. These structures were built by European colonizers during the 19th and 20th centuries. The entire property measures at 820 hectares with a buffer zone of up to 12,560 hectares. The townscape is still well-preserved until today and exemplifies the fusion of two distinct cultural traditions.
Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape (2001)
This cultural landscape features Vat Phou Temple complex as its main feature. The landscape itself is over 1,000 years old and expressed the Hindu belief of nature and humanity’s link. From the mountain to the river banks, it follows a geometric pattern of shrines, temples, and waterworks. Two cities located along the banks of the Mekong River are also included in this world heritage site listing.
Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang – Plain of Jars (2019)
The Plain of Jars, located on a plateau in central Laos, gets its name from more than 2,100 tubular-shaped megalithic stone jars used for funerary practices in the Iron Age. This serial site of 15 components contains large carved stone jars, stone discs, secondary burials, tombstones, quarries and funerary objects dating from 500 BCE to 500 CE. The jars and associated elements are the most prominent evidence of the Iron Age civilization that made and used them until it disappeared, around 500 CE.
View the list of all of the UNESCO World Heritage sites I have visited on my travels.
View all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Southeast Asia.