Laos Travel Guide | Watch the sunrise from the world's cheapest hot air balloon ride!

In my life's checklist, there is one item: ✅Definitely have to take a hot air balloon ride to see a sunrise. Once I was discouraged by the price of two or three thousand in Bagan, Myanmar, and I couldn't bear the price of two or three hundred US dollars in Turkey. In Laos, there is actually the "cheapest hot air balloon in the world", and the scenery is not inferior at all! This guide summarizes all the key points of riding a hot air balloon in Laos, and solves all your doubts in one article~ · ⚠️All pictures and texts are original, any form of reproduction is prohibited. This is a rabbit that has traveled through 130+ cities in China and 13 countries. Reliable travel tips, authentic cuisine, recommended accommodations, and off-the-beaten-path routes to share with friends. · 1⃣️Where can I ride a hot air balloon in Laos? Laos has three main tourist cities: Luang Prabang (for comfortable vacations), Vang Vieng (for outdoor adventures), and Vientiane (the capital city separated from Thailand by a river). Hot air balloons are in the outdoor paradise of Vang Vieng. You can take a train from Luang Prabang (about 1 hour) or a minivan from Vientiane (2 hours) for easier access. · 2️⃣️Detailed explanation of hot air balloons There are two hot air balloon companies in Wanrong, one owned by a Chinese boss and the other by a French boss, but local hotels or travel agencies usually refer to them as the big one (French) and the small one (Chinese). ◼️Difference: Chinese companies fly not far from the city of Wanrong, following the Nansong River back to the other end of the city, with the scenery mainly consisting of urban and unique karst mountain views in Wanrong; while French companies take off from even further away, mainly focusing on the karst landscape (the two hot air balloons surrounded by mountains in the distance in picture 6 belong to the French company). ⬛️Time: Sunrise and sunset, pick-up time for sunrise is between 5:50-6:00, takes about 30-40 minutes, and return around 7:20; pick-up time for sunset is usually at 17:00. ◼️How to choose between sunrise and sunset? If you don't like waking up early, of course you can watch the sunset. The sunset also has the evening sun and the evening glow, but I choose sunrise first because of my life's wish, and secondly because you can see the clouds and mist around the sunrise, unexpectedly beautiful~ ◼️How to choose between two companies? It is said that the French company's plane can fly longer, but personally I think the Chinese company has a better cost performance. But no matter which one you choose, both include pick-up and drop-off (from your hotel). · 3️⃣ Balloon prices Wanrong Hotel Youth Hostel has the highest booking price, usually above 110 US dollars (in China) or 130 (in France). The usual quote for outdoor travel shops is $100 (China) and $120 (France). ⚠️Important: But please remember that all shops can bargain! ALL!! The bottom price for hot air balloon in Wanrong is around $80, and transportation is included in the package by the hot air balloon company, not something extra you need to book! So don't be fooled by their talk of including transportation, remember to stick to the price range of $90-95 (the most expensive being $95) when booking. If one doesn't work, let's switch to another! I disagreed with the $95 price I booked, but they agreed when I threatened to leave. However, if paying with RMB or Alipay, it would be equivalent to $100. So I exchanged money with a Chinese person who had US dollars. I suggest everyone carry some US dollars when traveling in Southeast Asia, as they are more widely accepted than RMB. · Creating is not easy, please support more~