Just beyond the extensive Talat Market, a tiny lane leads 200m towards the Mekong emerging at the excellent OckPopTok Living Crafts Centre, a beautifully laid-out traditionally styled workshop where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics. Free tours of the centre start roughly half-hourly and give a superb insight into silk production and dye-making.
If you're waiting for a tour, there's plenty of information to peruse, along with a great river-view cafe serving drinks and excellent Lao food. Or try a cup of the surprisingly pleasant worm-poo tea – yes, a unique infusion made from silk-worm droppings. Weaving and dyeing courses are possible here and accommodation is available.
