One of the hidden beauties within the Asian region is the tiny country of Laos.

While the majority of tourists venture into the popular cities of Thailand, or the historical nation of Vietnam, they often overlook the small, exotic area.

Domestically, it is one of the poorest nations in the Southeast Asian region, but in terms of natural beauty, it is one of the richest.

The landlocked country might not have the beaches its neighboring rivals do, but it certainly makes up for with their picturesque rivers and lakes.

Some of the major tourist attractions in the land include:

Champasak - similar to the Angkor Wat Khmer temples and is a word heritage listed site.

Plain of Jars – Basically what the name implies, but very few people know why they are there.

Tham Nong Pafa Cave – a cave discovered in Khammouan Province in 2004; as many as 200 Buddha statues of all sizes have been found inside.

Aswell as the great tourist attractions, there is a wealth of interesting cities to check out along your way. Some of these are:

Vientiane - the still sleepy capital on the banks of the Mekong River

Huay Xai - in the north, on the Mekong and the border with Thailand

Luang Prabang – Known for its numerous temples, colonial era architecture, and vibrant night market.

Vang Vieng – Las Vegas of Laos. Enjoy repeated episodes of Family Guy and Friends.