Luang Prabang located in the northern Laos, is popular due to its distinctive traditions as well as natural beauty. The past capital of Lane Xang region and the world heritage site is located on the peninsula between Nam Khan and the Mekong rivers. The town is one among the top preserved place in Asia. The wonderfully saved temples, ancient buildings and heritage, makes Luang Prabang an excellent destination for those visiting the South East Asian region.
Luang Prabang is a great destination to explore traditional Lao culture. The people perform religious, traditional rituals, that have been inherited from their past generations. Festivals are celebrated in great joy and enthusiasm.
The small town can be easily explored on foot or bicycle, while the rivers of Mekong and Khan can be explored on a boat. The villages around Luang Prabang provide excellent opportunity to explore rural life and the mountains and valleys provide an opportunity for some exciting activities like mountain biking and small trekking. For shopping enthusiasts Luang Prabang makes some excellent handicrafts. More over Luang Prabang is an excellent place to relax and have a retreat.
PLACES TO VISIT IN LUANG PRABANG
- Luang Prabang National Museum
Luang Prabang National Museum
- Wat Chom Si – This golden colored stupa is located on the small Mount Phou Si. It is an easy walk up the mountain and the steps are the location is opposite to the entrance of Luang Prabang National Museum
- Wat Xieng Thong – The most famous attraction in the Lunag Prabang town, Wat Xieng Thong is one of the oldest and most beautiful temple in Lao. This temple depicts the magnificence of Lao architecture and design. Various ceremonies are performed in the mornings and evenings. There are several other shrines located in the vicinity of Wat Xieng Thong.
Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang
- Alms Giving Ceremony – Every morning people pay respect to monk by offering them food. This kind act of offering is an important of Lao regular Lao life.
- Pak Ou Cave – Located 25 kilometers from the Luang Prabang town, at the intersection of Mekong and Ou rivers is the majestic Pak Ou caves, which contains a shrines filled with lots of small and big statues of Buddha, whose origins are still unknown.
- Ban Phanom village is famous for its Tai Leu textiles and Ban Chan village is well known for its pottery and clay roof tiles.
- Ethink Fashion Show at Hive Bar
FESTIVALS OF LUANG PRABANG
Luang Prabang are culturally and traditionally important for Lao people. Most of the festivals are religious and involve offerings of various kinds.
- Pi Mai is the Lao new year and occurs in the month of May and celebrated over one week. The festival involves religious and colorful procession, traditional ceremonies and rituals, splashing of water on each other. In fact it is also known as the Water Festival.
- The rocket festival is celebrated the on-coming of the monsoon. Home made rockets are launched into the skies throughout Laos.
- The boat racing festival is held in August. This festival is celebrated to pay homage to the ancestors. People participate in long-boat race which is held on the Khan river.
TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM LUANG PRABANG
- AIR – Luang Prabang has an airport which is around five kilometers from the city centre. The airport code is LPQ. International connections include flights to and from Siem Reap, Hanoi, Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Domestically Luang Prabang is connected to Vientiane and Pakse.
- ROAD – Luang Prabang has two bus stations. The northern bus terminal serves the buses that go to north and the southern bus terminal serves the buses that go to the south of Lunag Prabang. Bus travel can be confusing and buses leave at random time. Destinations include Vientiane (342 km), Oudomaxy (206 km), Luang Namtha (473 km) and Phongsali (427 km). A better travel option is the tourist minivans that operate between Luang Prabang and Vientiane; Luang Prabang and Pakse.
- BOAT – Regular boats operate between Luang Prabang and Houay Xai. For timings inquire with locals as we do not have much information.
- TRAIN – There is no train service in Luang Prabang
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