Flags of the World | Laos

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The current national Laos flag was adopted on December 2, 1975, when the communist Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) toppled the King and took over the government.

Town of Luang Prabang | Laos

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Luang Prabang, the royal capital of Laos until 1975, is located in a valley at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Mountain ranges encircle the city in lush greenery.The city is well known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Town of Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tham Ting Cave | Laos

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Tham Ting Cave is an important cave located on the east bank of Mekong River, 30 kilometers north of Luang Prabang, Laos. There are about over 4,000 Buddha statues of various sizes in the cave.

Town of Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site. However these caves are outside the boundaries of the site.

Xieng Khouane Buddha Park | LAOS

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Xieng Khouane, meaning 'spirit city', is a sculpture park located near Vientiane, capital of Laos. Forget the typical Buddha images seen in temples across Southeast Asia; the Buddha Park near contains over 200 sometimes-menacing statues. A 390-foot-long reclining Buddha is the crown jewel of the collection.

(Thank you SANDD for adding this beautiful non-removable-label!)

Vat Phu Temple Complex | Laos

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Vat Phu (meaning 'mountain temple') is a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex in Champasak province, southern Laos. This well-preserved planned landscape is more than 1,000 years old.

This UNESCO World Heritage site is inscribed under the name: Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape.

Vientiane, capital of Laos

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Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos, located on the banks of the Mekong River near the border with Thailand. The city has about 80,000 inhabitants.

Patuxai, meaning Victory Gate or Gate of Triumph, is a war memorial monument in the centre of Vientiane. The arch was built in 1957 and is one of the prominent landmarks in the city.

thx SL!

Kuang Si Falls | Laos

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The Kuang Si Falls is a three tier waterfall near the city of Luang Prabang in Laos. The falls begin in shallow pools atop a steep hillside.

The pools lead to the main fall with a 60 metres cascade. The water collects in numerous turquoise blue pools as it flows downstream. 

Prabat Phonesan temple, Laos PDR

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Borikhamxay is a province of Laos, located in the middle of the country. The Prabat Phonesan temple is an important pilgrimage site. The people in the area believe that when someone is passing this place one must stop for a while to pray respect to the spirits for a good journey.

Stamps

(left) The giant devil catfish, part of a set of 4 stamps about Mekong River fish.

(right) The 60th Anniversary of Lao People Army (2009)

The city of Luang Prabang | Laos

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Luang Prabang, meaning "Royal Buddha Image”, is a city located in north central Laos. The city is well known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1995.

Stamps

(left) Laos issued in 2010 a set of three stamps depicting "Rural Life in Laos". The 6000K stamp depicts artisans (craftsman or skilled manual worker).

(right) Part of a set of four stamps, issued 2007, depicting gold jewelry.

Thx Pat!

A postcard from Laos

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Laos is a landlocked nation in Southeast Asia located in the center of Indochina, sharing borders with China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Vang Vieng is a tourism-oriented town; Laos’ backpackers capital. The town is surrounded by a picturesque Karst hill landscape. Karst is a geologic term for a landscape shaped by the dissolution of a layer or layers of soluble bedrock. Limestone and gypsum are typical materials that makeup these kinds of formations. They dissolve easily in water.