Birdwatching at Muang Hiam Hot Springs

The Muang Hiam hot spring is famous in Laos as one of the hottest in the country as water can reach up to 100 degrees Celsius.

The Muang Hiam hot spring is located in a forest park 750m, around 10-min walk, north of the National Park headquarters and Muang Hiam town, direction Muang Xon. See location here.

The hot spring park is popular for locals and people believe that this hot water has medicinal qualities. Locals come to bath and wash clothes, but also to enjoy in the forest scenery with family and friends, boil eggs and bamboo shoots, relax in the small huts and appreciate a meal from the local restaurant.

The forest park of the Muang Hiam hot springs offers nice birdwatching opportunities. Walk around the hotspring park or hike up the short trails for enjoying a better view. Best time for birdwatching is early morning and late afternoon, but if lucky you can spot some birds also daytime.

Some of the highlight species in this area to see include Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina), Orange-headed Trogon (Harpactes oreskios), Hogdson’s frogmouth (Batrachostomus hodgsoni), Manchurian Bush Warbler (Horornis canturians), White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus), Claudia’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus claudiae).