Northern Provinces Luang Prabang
The jewel of Laos, the former capital of the kingdom. Just a decade after it was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the city has seen an increasing number of visitors, and numerous renovations. “The Sleeping Beauty” is now awakening, but you can still breathe in its tranquility and capture the spirit of old Laos.
Luang Prabang should be explored by foot in order to appreciate the beauty and serenity of the city’s 32 Pagodas.
This stunning city is the pride and joy of all Laotians. It is the ancient capital of Laos and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Luang Prabang abounds in both natural and historical sites, like the mighty Kuang Si waterfalls or the awe-inspiring Pak Ou caves. There are plenty of ecotourism opportunities: elephants rides, jungle treks, or visits to traditionnal villages. The old city is also becoming popular as a shopping destination, with its colorful night market and its high end boutiques, offering a huge choice lao handicrafts.
For the Laotians, the city is mostly a spiritual place: ghosts of its glorious past still haunts the National Museum, the former royal palace, and hundreds of young monks still come to learn the teachings of the Buddha in its glittering temples. The many well-preserved colonial houses are also a significant part of the town's appeal. Tourism has been steadily increasing over the years, and infrastructures have developped, but the serene and gentle atmosphere of Luang Prabang still remains typically Lao.
Vat Xieng Thong, the Temple of the Golden City, is one of the most important temples in Laos. It is very old, built around 1560 by King Setthathirat, who ruled Laos from 1548 to 1571.
The former Royal Palace, which is now a museum, used to be the residence of the kings of Luang Prabang. It was built in 1904 during the French colonial era, for King Sisavangvong and his family.
Luang Prabang, the UNESCO World Heritage city north of Vientiane was named after this most revered image of Lord Buddha. It is a bronze statue which represents a standing Buddha in the Ham Nhat position, which signifies the calming of all quarrels.
The Royal Tombs are located in Xieng Mene district, on the opposite bank of the Mekong, right across Luang Prabang. From the old town, any pirogue or long boat will happily take you to the other side for a small fee. The tombs are about 1 km away. Nearby is the old traditional village of Xieng Mene and Wat Chom Phet temple, on top of the nearby hill, which offers a spectacular view of the countryside.
This beautiful temple is in Luang Prabang and is emblematic of the traditional Luang Prabang architectural style. Its roof is 5 tiered and timber framed, the columns and doors are finely decorated and gilded.
Mount Phousi is the holy mountain of Luang Prabang. At its top sits the 20 m high That Chomsi stupa. The view from the top is awe-inspiring.
This is the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, having been originally constructed in 1515 and rebuilt in 1898. It once housed the Prabang Buddhas until the invasions by the Black Flag faction, a splinter group of military bandits under the direction of a Chinese commander in the late 1800’s.
Upriver from Luang Prabang you will find small traditional Lao villages that each specialize in a type of handicraft. They are popular with tourists and easy to get to by tuk-tuk or by longboat.
These two caves are located some 25km from Luang Prabang where the Nam Ou River flows into the Mekong. The journey on a slow moving longboat from Luang Prabang will take at least one hour and is decidedly picturesque.
Henri Mouhot was a French naturalist and explorer in the mid 19th century who is well known and respected for his studies of the flora and fauna of Laos.
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