Lying on the broad river plains of the Nam La north-west of Luang Nam Tha, Muang Sing is a traditional Thai Lu and Thai Neua cultural nexus as well as a trade centre for Thai Dam, Akha, .Hmong, Mien, Lolo and Yunnanese. Two groups dominate the district population; Thai LU comprising about 30% of the total (mostly in town and adjacent plains) and Akha at around 45% (in the surrounding hills).
One of the arms of the ‘China Road’ passes through Muang Sing on its way to Mengla in Yunnan Province, China, and the area has come under a lot of Chinese influence since the 1960s.
Muang Sing
Towards the middle of the century an in- dependent principality named Chiang Khaeng, under Burmese allegiance, briefly established itself east-north-east of Muang Sing and repopulated the latter. The area soon returned to Nan rule, however, when the king of Nan threatened the prince of Chiang Khaeng with military retaliation.
Muang Sing in Laos now has two banks, a BCEL branch opposite the Vieng Sai Guest House and the Lane Xang Bank opposite the market. They will change US dollars, baht and yuan, hut at a less favorable rate than in most other parts of the country.
Muang Sing
Muang Sing Guest House Singles/ doubles/triples US$1. 70/2.2512.80. Opposite the Vieng Phone, this friendly guest- house is one of the best in town. Rooms in the old, wooden two-storey building on the street have attached bath, while those in the new building out the back have shared facilities. Guests are provided thermoses of hot water for washing and there’s a restaurant downstairs.
Outside Muang Sing Adima Rooms US$3.75-5. Adima is located in a village 8km outside Muang Sing towards the Chinese border. Ethnic-style houses are set in the middle of rice paddies, and the guest- house is within walking distance of several Mien and Akha villages. Adima offers free transport to/from Muang Sing twice a day, from the Vieng Sai Guest House, its contact in town.
Muang Sing
Meuang Sing View Restaurant Dishes US$1.50-3. This little bamboo-thatched place a bit off the road towards the southern end of town overlooks rice fields. It serves Lao and Western food .
Almost opposite the BCEL is e food stall that sells delicious Yunnanese food – mostly vegetarian fare with lots of tofu, potatoes and greens . You can always find a few simple/de shops along the main street and in (he market.
In Muang Sing all passenger vehicles depart from in front of the market.A recently upgraded road near the southern end of town leads 75km to Xieng Kok, a Lao village on the Mekong River opposite Myanmar. Most days a truck to Xieng Kok departs early in the morning (US$I.50, two to three hours). The truck leaves when it fills up – it’s best to get to the market around 7am.
