Muang Sing

Muang Sing
ເມືອງສິງ
Muang Sing
Sing District
Muang Sing market, formerly a major opium market in the Golden Triangle
Muang Sing
Coordinates: 21°12′N 101°9′E / 21.200°N 101.150°E / 21.200; 101.150
CountryLaos
ProvinceLuang Namtha
Established1792
Area
  Total
1,650 km2 (640 sq mi)
Population
 (2000)
  Total
23,500
  Density14.2/km2 (37/sq mi)
 In the district
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)

Muang Sing (Mueang Sing) (Lao: ເມືອງສິງ, pronounced [mɯ́aŋ sǐŋ]) is a small town and district (muang) in Luang Namtha Province, northwestern Laos, about 60 kilometres northwest of the town of Luang Namtha and 360 kilometres northwest of Vientiane. It lies very close to the border with Yunnan, China, surrounded by mountains and rivers. Historically, Muang Sing has been a major producer of opium and still has problems with drugs and smuggling, due to its proximity to China and Myanmar.