The south-east Asian nation of Laos is a dramatic, exotic and largely undiscovered jewel of the region, with its dreamy mountains, traditional culture and ornate temples.

Laos, full name the Lao People's Democratic Republic, has a population of just over six million and is bordered by Thailand to the Southwest and Vietnam to the east. The country was controlled by Thailand, formerly Siam, until the late 1800s, when it became part of French Indochina.

Laos was taken over by the Communist Pathet Lao in 1975, bringing a centuries old monarchy to an end. The country has become increasingly liberal and open in recent years, with the number of private enterprises growing steadily.

The small landlocked nation has a tropical monsoon season from May to November and a much drier season between December and April which is a better to plan your holiday trip. Still fairly poor, its largely rural population is annually at risk from floods and drought. The country’s historic isolation from the rest of the world allows visitors to see traditional south-east Asian culture at first hand.

The Lao capital Vientiane is home to pretty cafes and shops, but has little in the way of tourist sites and museums. The second city, Louang Phabang, is more exotic, with its gold-tipped temples and historic buildings.

The rugged mountains in Laos are beautiful and the highest point in the country is found at Phou Bia, 2,817m above sea level. Thick forests grace large expanses of the country and provide an interesting destination for hikers, with rich flora and fauna and tiny hilltribe villages.

The Mekong River runs the length of Laos and is the heart of the country. Boat trips along the river are available and it is worth meandering along a section of it between destinations to see the rice fields, villages and misty mountains in the distance. The river islands of Si Phan Don have their own indigenous fishing villages and it is possible on such trips to spot the rare Irawaddy river dolphin.

There are a number of sites of interest dotted around Laos, including the cave complex of the Pathet Lao at Viang Xai, the expanse of bomb craters and ancient funerary urns, dubbed the Plain of Jars, the fascinating Pha That Luang monument, and the ruins of the Khmer temple of Wat Phou. The striking Pak Ou caves, full of images of Buddha, and the towering Khon Phapheng Falls on the Mekong River are also favourite haunts for tourists.

The official language is Lao, closely related to Thai, with a range of dialects across the country. English and French are both relatively widely spoken, particularly in the major tourist centres and the major religion is Buddhism, which has spawned some remarkable temples. Laos produces some stunning gold and gemstone products and most tourists return with some ornate and inexpensive jewellery from a trip.

Flights to Laos are still reasonably expensive, though an increasing number of travel companies are now offering tours to the picturesque and exotic nation. Some risks from bandits and criminals still exist in certain areas and it is wise to check travel advice before going, though the majority of the country is safe.