The province is mountainous, home to large numbers of minorities.
The area is populated by a variety of different ethnic groups.
They consist of Khamu, Akha, Hmong, and Yao (Mien). Besides
the province also consist of the lowland Lao, Tai Lue, Thai
Neua and Thai Dam who live in village just outside the protected
area and the historic town of Muang Sing. Muang Sing originally
formed part of group of principalities loosely linked under
the leadership of political entity called the Sipsongpanna
whose political seat centered in southern Yunnan province,
China.
This province has a picturesque beauty with mountains, and
many old temples, although many temple have been destroyed
during the war, there still remains one major attraction,
and old temple noticeably from other classical temples. UNESCO
are funding a ecotourism project in Luang Namtha that will
be capable of sustaining sustainable development in the province.
The concept of the project is to provide education, conservation,
management and sustainable economic benefits for the local
population.
Getting there
Lao Aviation flies to and from Houay Xai and Luang Prabang
and Vientiane. Lao Aviation's domestic timetable.
Buses run from Houay Xai, Muang Xai and from the Chinese
border at Boten.
From China: It is possible to enter Laos at Boten from
Mengla district in Yunnan province on the Chinese border.
You will need a visa in before entering Laos. From Boten,
the capital Luang Namtha is about three hours away.
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Muang Xing
The town of Muang Xing lies on the river plains of the Nam
La to the northwest of Luang Namtha. The town is a historic
centre that was formerly an outpost of the Sipsongpanna
Empire based in southern Yunnan in China. The town is home
to a number of ethnic minorities as well as lowland Lao,
Tai Lue, Thai Neua and Thai Dam. The town of Muang Xing
has a number of guesthouses where trekking and hiking trips
can be arranged.
The Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area is located
in the southwest of Luang Namtha - a pristine habitat of
dense tropical rainforest covering almost all of the protected
area. Wild cattle (gaur and banteng), Asian wild dogs, tigers,
clouded leopard, bears and gibbons also having in the forests
and there is still a large bird population. South west of
Luang Namtha, the still pristine forests of Nam Ha protected
area with varieties of wildlife and vegetation can be found.
