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General information, recreation, infrastructure
Udomxai or Oudomsay or Muang Xai is a city in northern Laos, the capital of Udomxai province (Udomsai on the map). Also often the name of the city is called and written simply Sai (Xai). This is one of the largest cities, its population is more than 75 thousand inhabitants. Although in fact, you should not expect that this is a modern city, and such a large number consists of the population of many villages, of which, in fact, the city consists.
Udomsay is a major transport and Trade Center of the north of Laos. There is a strong Chinese influence here, since the border is relatively close. About a quarter of the city's population comes from the southern provinces of China, in particular Yunnan.
In Udomsai, tourists usually stop very rarely, using the city only as an intermediate point for changing transport when moving from Luang Prabang or from Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam to more popular tourist cities in the North: Phongsali and Luangnamtha. There is even an airport where domestic flights are operated in Laos.
Nevertheless, attempts are being made to develop tourism in the city: travel agencies appear, there is an Information Center for tourists, you can get free tourist cards at the bus station (this is a rarity for Laos in general), and even a site for tourist information of the city and province in English works – https://oudomxaytourism.blogspot.com/.
There are few attractions in the city, only a few temples, but there are many interesting places outside the city. First of all, ethnic villages are interesting, where you can make trekking tours for several days with overnight stays in villages. Also in the district there are several caves and a waterfall, which are also better visited during a trekking tour. Buying excursions is possible in hotels and in the Tourist Information Center. You can familiarize yourself in advance with the options on the tourist information website.
In the city of Udomksay there are several budget hostels, and a dozen more are located in the surrounding villages and towns. Book hotels in Udomsay on the following safe sites:
- 🛌 Search for hotels in Udomsay on Yandex.travel
- 🛌 Search for hotels in Udomsay on Hotellook.com
- 🛌 Search for hotels in Udomsay on Trip.com (💥 our choice)
- 🛌 Search for hotels on Ostrovok.ru
However, not all options are presented in the booking systems, the rest are available for settlement only upon arrival.
How to get to Udomsai
Udomsay is connected by regular bus service to many cities in northern Laos. From Vientiane there are daily flights to Oudomsay Airport (IATA code - ODY) by Loa Airlines. But they are not regular, and often stop running indefinitely. Therefore, it is easier and more reliable to get here by bus.
There are two bus stations in the city – Severnaya (in the city center) andSouth (five kilometers from the center). The current schedule of traffic on them is on the website of the Tourist Information Center - oudomxaytourism.blogspot.com