Mandatory nightstop when travelling the slow boat. Guesthouses which are higher up the hill tend to be cheaper. No need to book online. They tend to be cheaper on the spot.
Outstanding experience
Lovely one
There's not real market there
Nothing special compared to other Lao markets
OK market. Stop by if you are in the area and have a few minutes to spare.
Very, very poor place. It lives from the stop over tourists. DON`T book a room before! There are a lot of cheap rooms. And you will find definitly a cheap room. Just go on the mainstreet to the top, the more you walk, it will get cheaper.
Very poor village with amazing location over the Mekong River. Mainly used as a stopover for tourists on their way from Houay Xiay to Luang Prabang. The village offers some real traditional Lao food options at decent prices. Unfortunately such restaurants look shady and will discourage tourists used to clean bathrooms and spotless tables, pitty. Try the restaurants located further from the piers near the local vegetable market.
you can see the way local people live.
Rural marketnot a lot to buy but still interesting as you can see the way local people live.
Avoid pak beng is super expensive, there's nothing to see and they totally take advantage of people passing through on trips down the Mekong. I would not prebook a room if I ever had to go again as they charge a lot more than they do if you just show up (and there are a TON of places to stay on the main road)