Gecko Bar & Shop

Top choice in Northern Laos


Handmade woven gifts and tea are for sale at this delightful, memorable little cafe (two-thirds of the way down the main drag, on your left heading south). There's a nice terrace to sit and read on, the owners are charming and the food, spanning noodles to soups, and pancakes to curries, is among the most raved about in the village.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern Laos attractions

1. Phanoy Cave & Viewpoint

0.53 MILES

Well-signposted from the northern end of the main strip, the Phanoy Cave is a cool relief on a hot day. The cave lies about halfway up a steep track that…

2. Sleeping Woman Viewpoint

10.05 MILES

This viewpoint rivals that of Pha Daeng Peak Viewpoint for its widescreen drama of surging karsts and mountains, with the boats on the river far below…

3. Pha Daeng Peak Viewpoint

10.08 MILES

Reached by a testing though thoroughly doable 1½-hour walk on a decent path up Pha Daeng mountain, directly above the town, this viewpoint offers an…

4. Tham Pha Thok

11.03 MILES

Around 2km east along Rte 1C, Tham Pha Thok is a series of caves in a limestone cliff where villagers and Pathet Lao eluded bombing during the Second…

5. Suspension Bridge

27.84 MILES

For soaring mountain and river views head to this suspension bridge leading to the Khamu quarter. You'll need a head for heights and a good sense of…

6. Wat

28.08 MILES

This peaceful temple is worth a visit given the limited sightseeing options in town.