Muang Ngoi Neua
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-->Muang Ngoi Neua(20°43′N 103°0′E / 20.717°N 103°ECoordinates: 20°43′N 103°0′E / 20.717°N 103°E) is a Lao town along the Nam Ou in Louangphrabang Province. It is part of Ngoi district 170 kilometres North-East of Luang Prabang.
The current population is about 1000, predominantly of Lao Loum ethnicity.
The town is an old regional centre and was heavily bombed during the Laotian Civil War.
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[edit] Name
Originally named Muang Ngoi, the name was changed to Muang Ngoi Neua or Muang Ngoi North to reflect demographic changes. Muang Ngoi now includes the joined towns of Nong Kiau and Ban Saphoun, 40 kilometre to the south. The town is also known as Muang Ngoi Gao, Old Muang Ngoi.
[edit] History
One of the earliest Tai principalities in Laos was centered at Muang Ngoi. [1] By the 12th century AD there were settlements in the area that were part of a chain of Tai Muangs along the Nam Ou River. The current town dates from the 15th century. It was the district capital until the 20th century.
[edit] Temples
Due to its proximity to Tham Pha Thok, a cave system which served as a Pathet Lao headquarters during the Secret War, the town sustained heavy damage by American bombers. The three existing Buddhist temples, with the oldest dating back to the 16th century, were completely destroyed. On the site of one of the destroyed temples Wat Okad was rebuilt in the end of the 70's.
[edit] Tourism
The town is a popular tourist destination because of it´s surrounding karst limestone scenery and is the starting point of Eco-tourism treks. Notable sights include the Tham Kang cave and Tham Pha Kaew cave north of town.
[edit] External links
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