All you need to know about Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, which is also called Luang Phabang, is the former capital of Laos and declared a UNESCO World Heritage city in 1995. Luang Prabang is nestled between the mountains of North Laos and the mighty Mekong River. Luang Prabang possesses rustic and quiet scenery and well-preserve the beauty of the ancient and heritage town, giving travelers an incredible sense of peace.
It reveals the charming beauty of the sunset on the river bank when the sun goes down is definitely wonderful moments, attractive to every tourist and never escapes memory once setting foot in this place.
Traveling to Luang Prabang will carry you back to the antique things with the outstanding traditional architecture and urban structures were built by the colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries that made its remarkable townscapes. Experiences to Luang Prabang with new days of starting without traffic noise and the atmosphere extremely fresh
When We Should Visit Luang Prabang?
Located in the north of Laos where nature is endowed with a climate with almost 4 seasons and you can absolutely visit Luang Prabang in different seasons because each season always contains in its own unique beauties. The weather in Luang Prabang generally divided into two distinct seasons. In which, the rainy season began from June to September and dry season lasts from October to May.
Especially, you consider visiting Luang Prabang from April 13th to 16th is the time of water festival, also known as Laos New Year, you’ll be surprised and immersing yourself in the traditional festival and more understand about the Laos people.
How to get to Luang Prabang
Currently, you can easily go to Luang Prabang by plane through Luang Prabang international airport with operating airlines such as Laos Airline, Vietnam Airline, Cathay Pacific…
Plane: From Hanoi you can easily fly to Luang Prabang by Vietnam Airlines. You can also get to Luang Prabang from airports like Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Phnom Penh, Chiang Mai
Road: You will also get to Luang Prabang by bus with the bus station located on the outskirts of Luang Prabang and it will take 26-28 hours to travel to Luang Prabang from Vietnam.
Transportation:
The popular means of transportation in Laos in general and Luang Prabang in particular is a tuk tuk, a traditional and easy means of transportation with prices ranging from 10,000 Kit/hoe. Besides, the attractions in Luang Prabang are quite close to each other, so you can also walk or rent a motorbike to explore the beautiful city of Luang Prabang at your own. Renting a bike with the price 1 USD/ days also a reasonable option
Where shouldn’t miss out when visiting Luang Prabang?
Ancient Temples In Luang Prabang:
Luang Prabang is a city famous for well-preserved its ancient temples with unique and traditional architecture in which Wat Xieng Thong is situated at the intersection of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers with truly unique architecture with a 3-storey curved roof that looks like a bird’s wings are spreading, one of the iconic for Lao architectural art. In addition, you can also visit other unique temples such as Wat Mai Monastery, Haw Pha Bang Pagoda, Wat Phonxay near Luang market.
Located opposite the Royal Palace, Mount Phousi is considered an ideal place with a panoramic view of the entire poetic beauty of the city and also a great place to admire the sunset at the end of the day from above.
The Royal Palace was once the residence of King Sisavang Vong and his family. It was built with French colonial architecture and the road that runs through the palace where the night market takes place in the evening. When coming here, remember you should comply with the dress code, so you need to know in advance some restriction otherwise they can’t let you enter. Do not show your shoulders, belly button, pants/skirts shorter than your knees will be banned. You should take off your shoes to enter and do not take a pictures inside.
Coming to Luang Prabang, it would be remiss and regret if you could not visit the Kuang Si waterfal, one of the waterfalls with the characteristic turquoise color poured down from above to create a unique ink painting. It is the harmony between the beauty of the mountain and the forest. Located in the middle of an unspoiled jungle, it is very suitable if you want to fully enjoy the feeling of being in harmony with nature.
One of the must-see places in your sightseeing list is Pak Ou cave, you will have a boat journey along the Mekong River to reach the unique cave, you will be truly overwhelmed by hundreds of Buddha statues is placed in the cave it is truly a wonderful sight.
Travel Tips:
+ You should bring US dollar and easily convert into Kip ( Laos currency) at the airport, inconvenience shop or bank.
+ When greeting, do not shake hands with Lao women, but often greet each other with a prayer-like gesture.
+ When you visit night market, the seller often provides the higher price, do not hesitate to bargain to get the reasonable price.
+ Lao beer is one of the best drinks that you should try
