Located in northern Laos, Luang Nam Tha is best known as a stopover for backpackers who are moving from China to Laos or vice versa. This border town is separated into two sections, the old town and new town. Separated by four miles, you’ll likely want to take a tuk tuk between the two halves, and save your feet for trekking. Most guesthouses are located in the new town while the airport is located near the old town.
Luang Nam Tha is the entrance to the Nam Ha Protected Area where you can select from a range of tours such as trekking, kayaking and village visits. This is one of the best places in Laos to take an organised eco-trek into the forest and visit unique, ethnically diverse villages. Make sure to research what you want to do and don’t be afraid to splurge a little as your experience will be well worth it. The town also hosts many herbal saunas which are the perfect place to rest sore muscles after a day exploring the outdoor world that surrounds this area. Luang Nam Tha shares a border with Myanmar as well as China, making travel into the other countries geographically convenient.