Sayabouly

Sainyabuli, Xaignabouli, Xayaburi or Xayaboury (Lao: ໄຊຍະບູລີ) is the capital of Sainyabuli Province, Laos. It lies along Route 4 which along with Route 13 connects it to Luang Prabang, roughly 80 kilometres northeast by road and to the Thai border across the Luang Prabang Range in the southwest. A passport control point is located in the area. Sainyabuli Airport lies in the southwest of the town.

The capital stands on the banks of the Nam Hung, a tributary of the Mekong River towards the northern end of the province.

 Orientation

The Traffic roundabout is located on the main Number 4 road (north - south) from there you can easily find all you need -if you go to the north - just after the gas station is Santi Phab Guest house, after that is the market, and in the end you will get to Thana Bus station and if you keep going you will find the south bus station 1-2 Km west is the Monument and a few restaurants and east will bring you to the town "center" public buildings, Atm, and the bridge over The Nam Houng.

• Town map - There are free town maps in most of the Guest Houses.
• An internet cafe is located a minute walking south from the Traffic roundabout - The only English sign says - "Computer training"

Get in/ Get out

Fly

Sayabouly Airport (IATA: ZBY, ICAO: VLSB) is an airport in Sainyabuli, the capital of Sainyabuli Province of Laos.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday:  

Destination Vientiane-Sayabouly Depart 09:30amArrive 10:30am. Depart 2pm Arrive 3pm

Destination Sayabouly-Vientiane Depart 11:00am Arrive 12:00 noon. Depart 3.30pm Arrive 4.30pm

By road

Highway 4 connects Sayabouly to Luang Prabang in the north and goes south till the Thai border (Nam Heung) via Pak Lay on a sealed road; good condition all the way.

There are two bus stations - North (Thana Bus station) and south, each a little bit out of town (5-8 Km), which serve different the directions. Tickets can be bought at the bus station, or when boarding the bus (if there's space). Just plan to arrive at the bus station between 30-45 minutes before your departure, and you should have plenty of time to make your purchases before you bus leaves.

Luang Prabang - several busses a day. One departs from Luang Prabang at 9:00 , and costs 60,000 kip. About three hours.

Loei - daily bus from Thailand, leaves Loei at 08:00. Lao visa can be bought at the border. The bus will drop you at the north bus station, from there you can take a tuk tuk.

Landmarks

Wat Si Bun Huang, a Buddhist temple of over 500 years vintage lies in the southern part of the town. Also of note is Wat Si Phan Don, noted for its diamond-shaped stupa and Wat Sisavang Vong, reputedly erected by King Sisavang Vong himself on the site of a former temple. The town contains a museum and library

Do

Elephant Conservation Center

Hospital & Clinics

The Elephant Conservation Center hosts Laos’ first hospital dedicated to elephant victims of logging accidents and affected by diseases. Staffed with an international team of elephant veterinarians, our hospital offers veterinary care services, an emergency unit, laboratory and facilities to control animals prior to surgery.

At ECC, visitors can observe or interact with Asian elephants in a safe environment, and which promotes elephant physical and cognitive health, as well as social and reproductive opportunities.  This includes the viewing, bathing or feeding of elephants under our care.

Discovery (2 days - 1 night) Join us for an overnight stay and discover our Center and elephants. Welcome to your idyllic holiday destination, the Land of the Asian Elephant! Stay one night in your private bamboo bungalow and enjoy the view on the majestic lake surrounded by untouched tropical forest.

Exploration (2 overnights) by joining our Exploration programme you will fully experience the peaceful and beautiful world of the Asian elephant. Not only will you enjoy a relaxing stay in the Nam Tien protected area but you will also learn all you want to know about Asia’s most iconic creature!

Eco Volunteering (7 Days - 6 nights) this programme is your gateway to feeling like a part of the Elephant Conservation team!  It will give you a more in-depth insight into what it takes to look after elephants. During the week, you will share the life of all the staff and learn more about the Lao culture. You may even pick up a bit of Lao language! You will start by following our 3 days ‘Exploration’ program. Then you will be asked to assist us in the Center’s development by participating in projects on site that are happing at the time.

Elephant Conservation Center, Nam Tien Protected Area, Sayaboury, Lao PDR

Contact
marketing@elephantconservationcenter.com
Tel : +856-20-96590665

Sleep

There are quite a few Places to stay in this area, here are just a few :

Saylomyen Guesthouse, Simeung Village, Ban Semeung, Sayaboury

Vanhnyda Guesthouse, 3 km from Town center

Melavanh Guesthouse, 5.0 Km from the city center

Khaykham Guesthouse, Ideal for fun and relaxation, Khaykham Guesthouse is located in the Ban Semoungkhoun area of Sayaboury. From here, guests can enjoy easy access to all that the lively city has to offer

Shopping

• ATM- A Bcel ATM is located in the center (near the post office).

The morning market is Located at the north on the main road (#4 ) and has the standard stuff like most Markets in Lao.

Source http://wikitravel.org/en/Sayabouly