Phongsali - Northern Remoteness For The Bucket List
Phongsali, Laos: Where Coffee, Clouds, and Complete Isolation Come Together So you want to get off the beaten path in Laos? Like, way off? Then let me introduce you to Phongsali, the remote, misty mountain town where Wi-Fi fears to tread, clouds hang low over tea plantations, and you start wondering whether your bus has driven you into China by mistake. Because it almost has. You’re really up north now. What (and Where) Is Phongsali? Phongsali is the northernmost provincial capital in Laos, nestled in the mountains near the Chinese and Vietnamese borders. It’s a land of ancient tea trees, ethnic diversity, jaw-dropping views, and a very questionable idea of what counts as a “road.” But don’t worry, getting there is slowly getting easier. Sort of. How To Get There Without Losing Your Will to Live By Plane (Sort Of): A few flights per week operate from Vientiane to Boun Neua, a small airstrip about 40 km from Phongsali. When flights run (Lao Skyway is your best bet), they’re a blessi...