Luang Prabang

Luang Parabang now is a famous destination of Laos and Indochina. It is located in the northern part of the country. Nam Khan River and Mekong River flow through the city and make Luang Prabang more attractive than for its beauties.

As the legend the name Luang Prabang now was named by Muang Swa King as the name of King Khun Xua in 8^th Century. Then it was renamed Xieng Dong and Xieng Thong. From 1354 to 1372 AD, Xieng Dong and Xieng Thong was renamed as Luang Prabang as the image of Gold Buddhism Prabang under the reign of Fa Ngum King. When tourists travel by boat along Mekong River, it will take one day to get there safely and have chance to enjoy the two bank sides landscapes.

Since 1354 AD Luang Prabang was the captital of Xang Kingdom, then moved to Vientiane in 1560 AD, Luang Prabang has a lot of cultural heritage which is called the cultural capital of Laos with monasteries, monuments, traditional costumes and wild beautiful landscapes surrounding the city. With the total population more than 365,000 habitants, Luang Prabang is so quiet with 16,000 houses in associated with old pagodas, temples and French villas. Today Luang Prabang is the World Heritage Site.

The city shares borders with Oudomxay, Phongsaly and Huaphan prvinces to the north, in the south and southwest shares with Vientiane ad Xayaboury and the east to Xiang Khuang

Since Luang Prabang becomes World Heritage Site in 1995 by UNESCO and a new destination to Laos, tourism in Luang Prabang develops and as a result, there are many other services develop to adapt the development of tourism to serve international tourists. Luang Prabang consists of many luxury hotels, restaurants as well as guesthouse and mini hotels.

In fact, Luang Prabang is well known as the cradle of Laos culture where you have many choices for visiting. Depending on your time spend in Luang Prabang and Laos, you can plan a voyage to visit some highlights in this city.

The charm of the city is attracting more and more people come here for discovering. Nowadays, there are daily international flights from and to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia which creates more advantages for people would like to visit this city.

Once you come here you have the opportunity to see the simple life as well as peaceful atmosphere of local people, the friendly of locals as well as the daily life as the early morning activities of monks attract your curiosity.

Mekong River is in the south of the city and Phousi Mountain covers most of the city. Royal Palace, National Museum and some pagodas are value to pay a visit.

National Museum is the Royal Palace in the past called Haw Kham built in 1094.After the revolution, the Place was taken by the government and until 1995 it was opened to the public as a National Museum. This is an art construction of Old Lang Xang Kingdom with a lot of religious treasures and opposites Phousi Mountain. Located in the city centre and it is easy to visit by walking from hotels, The Palace consists of many buildings such as the Royal Barge Shelter, a conference Hall, Haw Pha Bang. When you visit the Palace you have opportunity to see the royal car collection which mostly from America in the period of 1950s to 1970s. The opening hour is on weekdays and from 8.30 am to 11.00 am. There are some restrictions for visiting the museum including wearing formal clothes, no bags allowed and you must leave them at lockers provided near the entrance and shoes must be removed before entering the museum.

Winsunalat or Visoun pagodawas built under the Reign of King Visounarat in 1520. The gold status of Bhuddism is the symbol of the country which was ept here from 1504 to 1715 AD and from 1866 to 1874 AD. In 1942 it becomes an art museum of religious. In the museum campus is large works by stones which was well known as Patun or Lotus Stupa at first, built in 1503. 

Wat Xieng Thong or Temple of Gold City is in the end of Sakkarin street in the harmorny of Mekong River and Nam Khan River, this pagoda was built in 1559/1560 AD by Say Setthathirath King. This is the most beautiful monastery of Luang Prabang and representative for typical art of Laos. Many ancient religious constructions and precious furniture were originally from 16^th to 20^th century. Once you come here you have chance to see many ancient arts and works of Laos in a large campus. The temple is famous for wall picture about the story of Buddhism in the art of mosaic. On major festival such as New Year, Pha Bang Buddhism bath the temple is the most crowded of year time when thousands of people come here to see the ceremony of bath for Buddhism and the status by real Gold

Wat Mai pagodawas built in 1821 AD under the reign of Manthatourath King and now is located in Sisavangvong road next to Royal Palace. The pagoda is considered as the pearl of Luang Prabang with the glorious five floors of roof with walls surrounding by gold carving andexquisite vignette. It was the residence of monks with the roof built by Sim wood – the traditional style of Luang Prabang. Pha Bang Status which is preserved in Royal Palace will be displayed here on the occasion of New Year. At that time local people and monks will build and house in front of main gate of Wat Mai and the bathing for Buddhism is organized as a traditional festival to welcome New Year

Lu villageis about 3 kilometers from Luang Prabang centre where is famous for silk and cotton planting as well as handicrafts as souvenir gifts. The original of Lu villagers was from Sip Song Panna of Yunnan in China

Phousi Mountainis located in city center and also a major visiting site of the city. From the summit of mountain you will have the panorama of the city as well as enjoy the sunset and sunrise.

Night marketin Luang Prabang is a must see visiting. The main street is closed to vehicle traffic from 5pm to 10pm on Sisavangvong street from Royal Palace for vendors to sell variety handicrafts for souvenir. It is colorful for discovering by wandering on street and get more local experience through hundreds of stalls with handicrafts made by ethnic people. Its best is cheap price so you can buy a goods with good value even when you are not good bargain. Most of vendors in the shopping street can speak a little English and this is a good way to enjoy Lao culture.

Khuang Si waterfallis about 30 kilometers to the south of Luang Prabang and a famous tourist attraction of the city to visit. To get there you will come across the bridges and dusty road with majestic views on way. Khuang Si waterfall is the ideal place for swimming on the pure water and sees natural scenery although the water here is a little cold. On tuk-tuk you can get to the waterfall easily and tuk-tuk is the popular transport in Luang Prabang and Lao. During hot season, Khuang Si waterfall attract a lot of local people come here.

Elephant Villageis the idea camp which approved by government in which you can see elephants rescue and retired cared. Having an elephant riding in the village and through the river will be a great experience

You can visit Luang Prabang all year round. Especially on Lao New Year called Pimai Lao in early April, you can learn more of traditional values of Lao. Surely that, you book room in advance to have room available this time.