Earthenware jars for the preparation of lao-lao, the Lao whisky at Ban Muang Keo.
Your base for this tourist attraction is the Unesco World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, Laos. For tourist information about Luang Prabang, go to Luang Prabang Travel Guide. To prepare for a trip to Laos, read also the Laos Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation there? Use AsiaExplorers Budget Accommodation Guide, the no-frills website to cover your budget accommodation needs.
Ban Muang Keo Travel Info
Ban Muang Keo is a small village by the bank of the Mekong River on the way to the Pak Ou Caves. When I explored Laos with a group of AsiaExplorers members, we stopped by Ban Muang Keo for a short visit..
Ban Muang Keo is one of the two villages along the Mekong that is famous for producing lao-lao, the Laotian whisky which is the local moonshine rice wine. Earthenware jars are covered over a period with water and rice, so that the rice ferments to produce the liquor. The other village with a similar cottage industry is Ban Xang Hai, translated as Jar Maker Village.
At Ban Muang Keo, we were given an explanation - which was very much lost in translation - about how lao-lao was distilled. I must honestly say that I wasn't paying too much attention, as I was busy taking photographs of the surroundings. I find the rustic architecture of the village sheds extremely charming.
In addition to lao-lao, Ban Muang Keo also has a thriving weaving industry. Looms were woven into fabric with local patterns. These hand-made textile is sold to the tourists that stream through Ban Muang Keo.
If you're going to Luang Prabang, you'd be glad to know that the town is quite small. You can go to most places on foot if you want to. Otherwise, you can also catch a tuk tuk to take you around. As for accommodation, they range from very simple, basic beds to boutique hotels. You can visit the Luang Prabang Hotels guide for a list of budget accommodation.
Jars for making lao-lao, the Laotian whisky.
Textile are offered for sale.
A traditional Laotian cottage.
A Laotian villager lighting a fire.
Elderly Laotian woman on the steps of her home.
Young Laotian boy at Ban Muang Keo.
5 Days 4 Nights Romantic Luang Prabang Tour
Explore Luang Prabang, Pak Ou, Kuang Si Waterfalls on this 5 day 4 nights tour, provided by Exotissimo Travel in conjunction with AsiaExplorers. Details here. (This tour is conducted only until September 2012).
