Muang Sing Travel Guide

The small town of Muang Sing is 2 hours northeast of Luang Nam Tha. It is becoming surprisingly popular with travelers, which is largely due to its melting pot of cultures and traditional village life that the locals lead.

There is an enormous variety of different ethnic groups living in Muang Sing. Hmong, Tai Dam, Akha, Tai Lue and Yao hill tribes can all be found here and live traditional lives in traditional dress. As well as the tribal families being of interest to visitors, the town itself boasts stunning architecture. Houses are built in the ornate Tai Lue style and date back many years.

Simply wandering around the streets will allow you to view a number of sights as well as have a glimpse into the everyday lives of the locals. The focal point of the town is its large market. There is food and non-food products sold as well as clothing, household objects, plants, flowers, imported Chinese products and a wide range of other items. People from many different neighboring villages arrive every day to do their shopping here.

Other options to keep busy include treks in the surrounding hills and along nature trails along the river.

Getting There & Away

Most of the vehicles that arrive and depart from Muang Sing are shared taxis and will be crammed as tightly as is possible with people. They make regular trips to Luang Nam Tha on a daily basis, with journeys to the provincial capital taking approximately 2 hours. The nearest international airport is at Luang Prabang, 9 to 12 hours away.

Muang Sing’s attractions

• The local market: a must-see for anyone visiting the town. It can be found in the heart of the downtown area and sells virtually anything and everything. It is also an excellent place to people watch.