Laos' northernmost province of Phongsali is spread out over a patchwork of neverending mountains and deep valleys. It has a strong Chinese influence, due to its close proximity to China's Yunnan province and involvement during the Second Indochina War, with evidence still visible in the Chinese Quarter of Phongsali town. It is one of the most unique and fascinating provinces in Laos, unlike any other in this "forgotten" country. A number of captivating hill tribes still live everyday life in their distinctive traditional values, dressed in colorful costumes and farming the land as they have done for centuries. Visiting Phongsali provides an incredibly rare insight through Laos' rich heritage and into a realm that has barely been discovered. Although unmistakably Asian, the province is a world away from the demands of modern-day life, and the curious traveler will encounter a destination so remote, they will wonder what world they have stepped into.