The provincial capital of Oudomxai is overlooked by visitors to Laos. Most stop here for one night or simply pass through on the way from Luang Prabang to Luang Nam Tha. I’ve stayed here on several occasions now and always enjoyed it. Stay well away from the hotels, guesthouses and restaurants in the guide books and you can have some great experiences here.
There are some outstanding and lively local restaurants to be found with menus unsullied by unadventurous ‘travellers’ and a couple of bustling markets to explore. The beautiful rolling hills that surround the town are also populated by hilltribes so it’s a great place to hang out for a few days.
For a good view across Oudomxai, it’s worth taking a stroll up to Phu Tat temple on a hill in the centre of town. The chedi here dates from the 14th century but the golden Buddha image is a much more recent addition and was erected in early 2010. Arrive shortly after 5 p.m. and wait for the sun to sink behind the 15-metre statue.
