Laos - NYT

The ruins of Vat Phou, one of the most sacred temples of the vanished Khmer kingdoms in Laos, March 20, 2017. Vat Phou was built more than 1,000 years...

A Buddhist monk at Vat Chomphet on the outskirts of Pakse, Laos, March 21, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground down by living in China's poll...

A young monk recites his prayers in the early morning at a small pagoda in Champasak, Laos, March 20, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground dow...

A young monk recites his prayers in the early morning at a small pagoda in Champasak, Laos, March 20, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground dow...

A pool overlooking the Mekong River at the River Resort in Champasak, Laos, March 20, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground down by living in C...

A passenger arriving at Don Daeng after a short boat trip in Laos, March 22, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground down by living in China's po...

A giant Buddha statue at Vat Chomphet in Pakse, Laos, March 21, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground down by living in China's polluted, crowd...

A bustling produce market in Pakse, Laos, March 21, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground down by living in China's polluted, crowded and clogg...

A bustling produce market in Pakse, Laos, March 21, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground down by living in China's polluted, crowded and clogg...

The water reflection of a Buddhist monk at Vat Chomphet on the outskirts of Pakse, Laos, March 21, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground down b...

A child walks to school in the rain past Vat Phou, one of the most sacred temples of the vanished Khmer kingdoms in Laos, March 20, 2017. Vat Phou was...

Collecting offerings from villagers at sunrise the island of Don Daeng in the Mekong in Laos, March 22, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground d...

A restaurant at La Folie, a French-run colonial-style lodge on the island of Don Daeng in the Mekong, offers stunning views of the mountain and river...

A rice farm in a village on the outskirts of Pakse, Laos, March 21, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground down by living in China's polluted, c...

Collecting offerings from villagers at sunrise the island of Don Daeng in the Mekong in Laos, March 22, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground d...

Children play on a dock along the Mekong River, where passengers can catch a boat to Don Khon, in Ban Nakasang, Laos, March 22, 2017. For many foreign...

Candle offerings at Wat Chomphet on the outskirts of Pakse, Laos, March 21, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground down by living in China's pol...

The River Resort offers sunset cruises along the Mekong River, in Champasak, Laos, March 20, 2017. For many foreigners and Chinese ground down by livi...