This was once the part of town that everyone in this region came to experience – especially for its classic temples and Dai families hosting visitors in their traditional homes. (It’s now the aforementioned ‘theme park’.) Tourists can spend the night in villagers’ homes and partake in water-splashing ‘festivals’ twice a day. Despite the artificial nature of it all, some people love the experience.
For wonderful scenery along rivers and rice paddies, travellers recommend heading to the south of town, crossing the Mekong by ferry (¥2) and then heading left (east). The last ferry returns at 7pm.
