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Luang Prabang Travel Guide

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang © Judith Duk
Encircled by mountains and charmingly situated at the meeting of the Mekong and Khan rivers, the ‘Jewel of the Mekong’ conveys an atmosphere of remote serenity and informal splendour.

The heart of a thriving kingdom for more than a thousand years, it is today a sleepy mixture of ancient temples, cobbled lanes, interesting back streets, French-Indochinese architecture and ochre-coloured colonial buildings. Trees line the streets above the banks of the river where children swim and play, while farmers carefully tend to their tiny, irregular riverside plots of agricultural land. In the mists of dawn, throngs of barefoot orange-robed monks silently make their way from the monasteries to the streets, where locals wait to gain spiritual merit by filling their wooden alms bowls with rice, before disappearing once again into their places of refuge and meditation. Unhurried people drift past stalls of spicy papaya salad, noodles, omelettes and fruit drinks. This is the real Lao, a town with a distinctly village-like feel, but endowed with a historical legacy so rich that it has been designated a World Heritage site.

The main attractions are its historic temple complexes, with about half of the original wats, or temples, built before the French arrived, still standing. The most magnificent is Wat Xieng Thong (Golden City Temple). Nearby is the Royal Palace with its golden-spired stupa, now a museum, and Wat Wisunalat, the oldest continually operating temple in the town. Across the river is Mount Phu Si with several temples on its slopes and a monastery on top, a popular spot for its dazzling views of the gilded spires in the town below at sunset.

A popular excursion is a scenic boat trip past waterfront villages to the nearby Pak Ou caves, filled with Buddha images. Also worth visiting is the picturesque Kuang Si Falls, a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall tumbling over limestone formations with clear turquoise pools below.




Attractions

Royal Palace (Haw Kham)

The former Royal Palace, a mixture of French and Lao architecture, is now a museum preserving the possessions of the monarchy. Above the entrance is a three-headed elephant sheltered by the sacred white parasol, the symbol of the Lao monarchy. The most impressive room... see full details


Wat Xieng Thong (Golden City Temple)

The most enchanting monastery in the country is the magnificent Golden City Temple at the tip of the peninsula. The graceful, sweeping tiled roof of the main temple is its most impressive feature and the walls are decorated with stencilled gold designs depicting many different traditional... see full details



Excursions

Kuang Si falls

The beautiful multi-tiered Kuang Si falls are worth a trip from Luang Prabang for their refreshing beauty and serenity. Turquoise-green water tumbles over a series of limestone steps and collects in beautiful pools that are surrounded by lush greenery. Walkways lead around the base... see full details


Pak Ou caves

About two hours by boat lie the Pak Ou caves, worth a visit even for the scenic boat trip. A lower and upper cave contain an impressive collection of mostly wooden Buddha statues assembled over the centuries by locals and pilgrims. Each year,... see full details


Plain of Jars

The mysterious Plain of Jars in the Xiang Khouang province is an unusual sight. Hundreds of huge solid stone jars lie scattered about the landscape, some weighing up to six tonnes and about 6 feet (2m) in length. They are believed to be... see full details


Intrepid Travel, one of the world's leading suppliers of small group adventures focused on getting off the beaten track, interacting with the locals and having real life experiences throughout Laos.
Discover Mekong, an Indochina-based tour operator, provides private or small group tours, hotel reservations and daily excursions to Laos. Your perfect holiday starts here.
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