Previous   Next
Home » Images » 0006 Pictures From History » CPA0002765

Laos: The ‘chao fa’ (king) of Mong Sing and his son in 1894.

Laos: The ‘chao fa’ (king) of Mong Sing and his son in 1894.

This photograph was taken shortly before French colonialists arrived and took over the region. Vientiane became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos in 1899 and remained the ‘chef-lieu’- the district capital – of French Laos until 1949. Muong Sing is located at the far northwest of the country, close to the borders of Burma and China. It is home to indigenous minorities such as the Akha, Tai Lu, Lanten, Tai Dam, Yao and Hmong. Today the town is a popular backpacker/ tourist destination.

Quick links to other images in this gallery: