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 The
ancient
town
of
Luang
Prabang
situated
in
northern
Laos,
was
designated
a
UNESCO
World
Heritage
Site
in
1995.
Considered
by
many
travellers
and
writers
as
being
the
heart
of
Laotian
culture,
the
tiny
town
is
encircled
by
mountains
and
is
700
metres
above
sea
level
at
the
confluence
of
the
Nam
Khan
and
Mekong
Rivers.
Here
visitors
are
subjected
to
an
inflamed
economic
bubble
that
does
not
apply
to
the
rest
of
the
country.
Being
Laos'
premier
tourist
destination
and
(arguably)
Southeast
Asia's
most
beautiful
spot,
ironically
tourists
will
pay
more
for
the
innate
pleasures
of
eating,
drinking
and
sleeping
than
they
would
in
the
country's
capital
city
Vientiane. |
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Luang
Prabang
was
the
ancient
royal
capital
of
the
Lan
Xang
Kingdom
until
King
Phothisarat
moved
the
administrative
seat
to
Vientiane
in
1545.
Regardless,
it
has
continued
to
overlook
Vientiane
as
the
destination
of
choice
with
its
amalgamation
of
crumbling
French
architecture,
glistening
temples
and
extensive
natural
beauty.
Even
the
hardest
of
hearts
would
have
a
struggle
not
to
warm
to
the
place.
The
town's
entire
historical
section
is
dedicated
to
tourism,
with
everything
from
former
royal
palaces
to
over
33
Wats
(temples),
on
the
tourist
trail.
This
former
Royal
capital
still
remains
the
main
centre
for
Buddhist
learning
in
Laos
and
is
the
perfect
location
for
spiritual
contemplation. |
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Cascading
waterfalls,
scaling
peaks
and
the
milky-brown
waters
of
the
Mekong
River
provide
ample
opportunity
to
swim,
climb
and
sail
your
way
through
Luang
Prabang.
It
is
only
as
recent
as
1989
that
Laos
opened
up
to
tourism
and
the
country
that
had
previously
been
cut
off
from
the
rest
of
Southeast
Asia
developed
a
small
but
steady
economy,
based
on
tourism
and
regional
trade.
This
small
and
gentle
town
where
most
locals
are
asleep
by
22:00
is
now
one
of
the
richest
and
most
visited
provinces
in
Laos.
It's
one
of
the
few
places
where
you
feel
that
this
is
the
genuine
article
and
one
that
retains
its
unique
ambiance. |
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What
to
Do
in
Luang
Prabang |
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Luang
Prabang
has
been
the
discerning
traveller's
darling
for
a
good
few
years
now,
popular
with
backpackers
making
their
way
through
Southeast
Asia.
The
town
projects
an
impression
of
challenging
the
values
of
modernity
matched
by
an
impressive
menu
of
structures
and
scenery.
This
is
first
and
foremost
where
Luang
Prabang
really
captures
the
imagination.
Travellers
arriving
by
boat
will
see
verdant
riverbanks
and
the
glistening
roofs
of
temples
and
disembarking
at
the
former
Royal
Palace
is
the
beginning
of a
trip
packed
with
unique
and
charming
encounters.
Those
who
have
already
ventured
to
this
part
of
the
country
will
testify
to
the
difficulty
experienced
when
it's
time
to
leave.
It's
easier
than
you
would
expect
to
sink
into
the
slow
and
serene
pace
of
Laos
living.
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Wat
Long
Khoun
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Situated
across
the
river,
this
charming
spot
can
be
reached
after
a
short
boat
ride.
The
small
district
of
Xiang
men
houses
the
once-important
temple
of
Wat
Long
Khoun.
Neither
the
most
awe-inspiring
nor
grand
of
temples
but
definitely
worth
taking
a
look
at.
Few
tourists
and
locals
venture
over
so
expect
it
to
be a
quiet
affair
even
by
Laos
standards. |
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Pak
Ou
Caves
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Formerly
used
for
the
worshiping
of
the
River
Spirit
until
Buddhism
spread
in
to
Laos.
Frequented
by
locals
for
thousands
of
years,
the
caves
can
be
accessed
by
taking
a
river
boat
some
25
km
from
Luang
Prabang
downstream.
Alternatively,
the
more
adventurous
(and
brave)
can
take
the
land
route
via
a
jumbo
(an
open
air
taxi)
that
will
drop
you
at
the
small
village.
A
short
walk
to
the
edge
of
the
village
leads
visitors
to a
spectacular
view
of
the
Mekong's
chocolate-coloured
streams.
When
you
arrive,
the
striking
limestone
cliffs
and
thousands
of
Buddha
images
that
have
been
erected
over
60
decades
will
not
fail
to
disappoint. |
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Tad
Sae
Waterfall
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35
minutes
south
of
town,
situated
at
the
meeting
of
Nam
Khan
and
Huay
Sae
rivers
are
the
multilevel
limestone
formations
that
cascade
into
numerous
pools.
Less
impressive
than
Tad
Sae,
they're
still
worth
a
visit.
The
ride
to
reach
them
is
quite
spectacular
and
a
great
way
to
see
more
of
the
Laotian
countryside. |
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Kouang
Si
Waterfall
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29
Kilometers
south
of
Luang
Prabang
(about
one
hour)
are
the
Kouang
Si
Waterfalls
where
you
can
hike,
swim
and
soak
up
the
beauty
of
the
surrounding
area
and
picnic.
Before
entering
the
park
there
are
the
usual
street
vendors
selling
local
arts
and
crafts
and
delicious
fare.
The
waterfalls
are
definitely
worth
a
visit
with
their
soaring
limestone
surfaces
and
cascading
drops
they
make
for
some
memorable
views
and
fun
activities.
Travellers
can
also
visit
hill-tribe
people
en-route
to
the
cave.
Beautiful
scenery,
flora
and
fauna
surround
the
area. |
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Nong
Khiaw
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This
market
town
on
the
west
bank
of
Nam
Ou
in
northern
Luang
Prabang
Province
is
surrounded
by
mountains
and
caves.
Experience
rural
Laos
were
children
give
away
flowers
and
the
local
fisherman
go
about
their
daily
business.
A
walk
through
the
paddy
fields
and
then
climbing
a
bamboo
ladder
to
reach
the
limestone
interior
of
the
nearby
cave
is
recommended.
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