Royal Palace (Haw Kham)
The former Royal Palace is a mixture of French and Lao
architecture, and is now a museum. It preserves the monarchy's
possessions and has one of the glitziest interiors around. A
three-headed elephant sheltered by the sacred white parasol sits
above the entrance, and is the symbol of Lao's monarchy. All things
considered, the Throne Hall is the most impressive room in the
complex. The dazzling interior comprises mirrors, mosaics, and
displays of royal regalia that include glittering swords and the
former King's elephant saddle. The Pha Bang (delicate Buddha) is
the museum's most prized item, and is housed in a small, barred
shrine that was the King's personal sanctum. Believed to have been
crafted in the heavens, it is the country's most sacred image and
spiritual protector. The museum has information in Lao and English
but is worth visiting with a local guide, who can share myths and
legends as well as history. Shoes and bags must be left at the
entrance. Photography is not allowed.
Royal Palace
Adam Carr
Wat Xieng Thong (Golden City Temple)
Situated at the tip of Luang Prabang's peninsula, the Golden
City Temple is the country's most enchanting monastery and perhaps
its most talked-about tourist attraction. Its grandest feature may
be the graceful, sweeping tiled roof of its main temple, though the
stencilled gold designs on its walls are marvellous too. The latter
depict many traditional tales. At the rear, visitors will find a
splendid coloured-glass mosaic illustrating the 'tree of life'. The
compound garden's peaceful atmosphere features several shelters,
which house rare Buddha images and the gilded royal funerary
carriage. From a tourism perspective, general consensus is if
visitors can only explore one of the country's monasteries, is
should be Wat Xieng Thong. Travellers should bring a guide book or
hire a local guide before visiting. That way, they can fully
appreciate the temple and its history. Evenings see the light
reflect beautifully off the glass and gold of the walls, while the
monks are called into prayer by drums.
Wat Xieng Thong
Rich Middleditch
Phou Si
Phou Si is a hill near the confluence of the Khan and Mekong
rivers. Many visitors use it as a navigation landmark, as it's
visible all over town. The hill is also home to several caves,
small temples and Buddha images, and offers spectacular views of
Luang Prabang from its summit. Visitors will find the city's oldest
temples on the lower slopes, though the area's most prized
spiritual structure is the golden stupa of That Chomsi. Indeed, it
has become a symbol of Luang Prabang's spiritual significance to
Laos. Travellers reach the stupa by climbing 300 steps and passing
various temples and shady trees along the way. Early morning visits
are especially worthwhile, given that the temperature is cool and
the temples are at their most active. Sunset trips are also
tremendous, though tourist crowds tend to visit around this time of
day, making the overall experience less serene. The climb is a bit
easier from the back of the hill, where a trail winds upwards and
there are only about a hundred steps, rather than 300-plus. Some of
the most interesting Buddha statues can be found via this back
entrance. Climbing up one way and down the other would allow
visitors to appreciate all the hill's sights and views. Travellers
visiting in the evening can stop at the night market, which they'll
find in front of the Old Palace at the foot of Phou Si.
Phou Si
Matsuoka AkiraKaoru
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Largely undeveloped and just a few miles in width, Luang Prabang
has hardly any formal public transport. Most visitors find it
easiest to walk from place to place, enjoying the scenery as they
move.
That said, visitors won't struggle to find tuk-tuks or minivans
around town. Fares tend to be small, though drivers have been known
to initially charge tourists an exorbitant amount. Visitors may
want to bargain with drivers at the outset of their trips.
Renting a motorcycle remains a fun transport option as well.
Helmets and extensive travel insurance are a must, as roads in and
around Luang Prabang are not well-maintained, and can be especially
hazardous with trucks screaming by. Indeed, authorities
occasionally ban motorcycles because of the high rate of road
accidents.
Also, street names in the region often vary along a single
stretch of road, and the English spelling of place and road names
can be very inconsistent. Both factors complicate navigation.
Oftentimes, it's best for tourists to have the name of their
destination written down in Lao.
Luang Prabang's historic temple complexes are its main
attractions. Many consider Wat Xieng Thong (Golden City Temple) to
be the most magnificent of them. The nearby Royal Palace is another
popular stop. Now a museum, its golden-spired stupa is one of the
country's most iconic images. Visitors also enjoy Wat Wisunalat,
which is the oldest continually operating temple in the city. Mount
Phu Si sits across the river and has several temples on its slopes.
The monastery on its summit is well-loved for its dazzling sunset
views of the town's gilded spires.
Otherwise, visitors typically delight in wandering through the
picturesque district, watching life unfold on the riverbanks,
shopping in the bustling markets and giving alms to monks. Early
risers can enjoy an authentic slice of Laotian life by purchasing
fresh produce near the Mekong River at Ban Pakam Market. The Night
Market opens at dusk near Wat Mai and is a great way to end a day
of exploring.
On the culinary front, visitors will find a variety of quality
restaurants. The city's menu ranges from traditional Laotian food
to steaks, stews and baguettes. Vegetarians will do well.
Culturally speaking, Luang Prabang's restaurant scene retains a
clear French influence. Foodies will find French and French-fusion
establishments, as well as glorious little bakeries that have a
distinctly Parisian feel.
Plain of Jars (Phonsavan)
Located in the Xieng Khouang Plateau of Northern Laos, the
mysterious Plain of Jars is an unusual sight and a must-see
attraction. Visitors will find hundreds of huge stone jars
scattered about the landscape, some weighing as much as six tonnes
and measuring around six feet in length. They're believed to be
over 2,000 years old, though their origin and original function
remain unknown. The gaps in their narrative have allowed for many
theories and legends to develop. One story claims they were made to
ferment rice wine to celebrate a victorious battle against a wicked
chieftain in the 6th century. Other theories have them as
sarcophagi or funerary urns. The jars are clustered into 90 groups,
with Thong Hai Hin, or Site 1, being the largest and most easily
accessible site. Only Sites 1, 2 and 3 are open to visitors, as
unexploded mines from the war lie around the other locations. Many
guesthouses in the town of Phonsavan offer tours to the sites. As a
precautionary measure, town visitors should stop at the Mines
Advisory Group (MAG) and learn about the clearing of unexploded
bombs in the area and throughout Laos. The site is situated several
kilometres southeast of Phonsavan, which is a 30-minute flight from
Luang Prabang. Travellers interested in visiting can hire a driver
and either a 4X4 or a small tuk-tuk for the day. More adventurous
visitors can hire a motorbike and drive out themselves. Sites 1 and
2 are well signposted and 3 is easy enough to find. The drive from
Phonsavan is scenic and the people living along the road are
generally friendly and helpful.
Plain of Jars
Christopher Voitus
Pak Ou Caves
The Pak Ou Caves lie about two hours away from Luang Prabang and
are only accessible by boat. They tend to divide opinion among
visitors. Some find the area to contain an intriguing spiritual
power, while others don't see what all the fuss is about. Most
agree that the scenic boat trip to the caves is fun and worthwhile.
The lower and upper caves contain and an impressive collection of
mostly wooden Buddha statues, which locals and pilgrims have
assembled over the centuries. Hundreds of pilgrims journey to the
caves every year, adding new statues to the gallery. The collection
contains some unusual specimens, many of which are hard to reach.
Visitors will need a flashlight to climb the stairs leading to the
upper cave. The lower cave is visible from the river. Photos are
permitted and visitors often light candles as tributes. Many
tourists combine trips to the caves with visits to the villages
along the river banks or activities like elephant riding.
Transport: Boat from Luang Prabang
Pak Ou Caves
Matsuoka AkiraKaoru
Kuang Si Falls
Tourists frequently rate the multi-tiered Kuang Si Falls as the
top attraction in Luang Prabang. The serene location sees
turquoise-green water tumble over a series of limestone terraces
and collect in lovely pools, all of which are surrounded by lush
greenery. Walkways lead around the base and to the summit, and
visitors will find many places to picnic. The swimming is glorious,
with rocks, branches and rope swings providing fun ways to enter
the water. Given their natural splendour, it's no surprise that the
falls get crowded. Travellers should visit as early as possible to
fully appreciate the location and take good photographs. The falls
are about 18 miles (29km) south of Luang Prabang.
Transport: Hire a motorbike or tuk-tuk and driver for the day.
Motorbikes usually cost more for the day than tuk-tuks, and the
latter can accommodate up to four passengers. It is possible to
bargain with the drivers and get a better deal.
Kuang Si Falls
Anne Dirkse
Royal Palace
Adam Carr
Wat Xieng Thong
Rich Middleditch
Phou Si
Matsuoka AkiraKaoru
