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Travel Guide to Luang Prabang
Luang Phabang information
The jewel on the Mekong, a protected UNESCO World Heritage site in the warm heart of Indochina.
Luang Prabang guide online e-book
This is a small list of highlights which you can find in and around Luang Prabang (Luang Phabang). The selected sights and highlights can be combined in our day trips and offer individual experiences and a good way to explore the beautiful area around town. Luang Prabang offers more and more activities and sights to visit, here are just a few of them. Most things can be done by bike or with our adventure and exploration tours. Also enjoy our videos which give visual information about Luang Prabang!
Explore
Laos on our visual 360 degree picture site
pictures say more than words
Picturesque impressions from Luang Prabang
- a short 5 minute movie
linked from youtube. Enjoy!
Luang
Prabang,
is surely a jewel in Indochina, and a well known UNESCO World
Heritage Site since 1995. Once the capital of former kings and an important post
along river trade lines it became a site of interest for guest from all over the
world. The ancient royal city is surrounded by misty mountains at the junction of
the Mekong and the small Khan river.
The center of town is located on a peninsula on an altitude of 300 meter above see level. Here we find ancient buildings, the royal palace, monasteries and temples. In the middle of the small city is Mount Phousi with stunning views of the surrounding temples and hills.
Luang Prabang is a provincial city where time still seems to stand still. As part of the UNESCO reconstruction plan, new buildings have been limited and old houses and streets receive reconstruction to keep Luang Prabang magical place...
Kuang
Si Waterfall
Following the road down south a magnificent waterfall offers a day of discovery and perfect place to hang out in the sun. The waterfall is about 30 km away from town and offers small food stalls as well as the protection project for small bears. An Asian tiger is hold there within his huge open air cage. An amazing sight. Tuk-Tuks as well as normal cars offer services to and from the waterfalls as it is the most famous attraction out of town. Biking tours and trekking arrangements can be combined with the waterfall visit as well as multi day tours with trekking and home stays.
VIDEO:
One of our groups went to see Kuang Si waterfalls. The guy in
the red T-Shirt is Mr. Lor, one of outdoor guides.
Elephant Village - Elephant Project Xiem Lom
Since Luang Prabang was once the capital of the “land of the thousand Elephants”
(Lane Xang) another highlight has been added to the town just recently. The private
project with former logging Elephants offers wonderful nature rides, walks and other
activity packaged combined with the Elephants. A visit to the Tad Sae waterfalls
is always in reach as it is just a 10 minute ride up the river. Nature Trails and
activity options are offered within the project
- see also our
offers
Tad
Sae Waterfall
Crystal clear waters cascade over multilevel limestone formations, forming
pools surrounded by tropical trees and plants. An ideal place for swimming and relaxing
and also a great place to get away from the crowd. The nearby river and the lush
green surrounding is just another beautiful place around town that cannot be reached
by road. You might use a boat from Ban En or book one of the day trips that might
include Trekking and Elephant rides. Our Lao Spirit Resort is just 15 min. away
from the waterfalls.
Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center
You are interested in the ethnic cultures of Laos?
Than visit the
Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center, which features information and exhibits of
clothing, handicrafts, baskets and religious artifacts from 7 different ethnic groups
of northern Laos. The Center has a museum shop where you can buy a community
handicraft and the Patio Cafe where you can browse books on anthropology and
culture while sipping an espresso grown in Laos. Guided tours and seminars are
also available.
Wat Pa Phon Phao
A forest temple famous for the teachings of Ajahn Saisamut. When he died in 1992, his funeral was the largest that Laos had seen in decades.
It’s Santi Chedi (Peace Pagoda) was built in 1988. This large yellow stupa contains
three inside levels plus an outside terrace with a view of the surrounding
plains. The inside walls are painted with many Buddhist stories and moral admonitions.
You can easily reach this temple with a bike or tuk-tuk. It is on the way to the
Luang Phabang
Airport .
Ban Panom Weaving Village
This village, populated by Thai Lue (a tribe with its origins in Southern China ), is well known for cotton and silk hand-weaving. Most of the women come into town for the popular evening market in town, but at daytime you can see them waeving with silk and cotton. Beautiful scarves and newer patterns can be seen in Ban Panom.
Henry Mouhot Gravesite
This
is the tomb of the French explorer who showed the famous Angkor Wat to the
world. Henry Mouhot perished of malaria in 1861, and the French erected a tomb over
his grave six years later. The last entry in his journal was ‘Have pity on me, oh
my God’. Neglected for decades, his engraved tomb was found by foreign aid staff
in 1990. Today it is a nice half day trip along the riverbank of the Nam Khan and
mountain bike tours as well as kayakers pass by for a short stop while exploring
Luang Prabang nature. Tiger Trail also combines this site with some other adventure
package tours around Luang Prabang
Whisky
Village near Luang Prabang
Ban Xang Hai means jar-maker village. At one time that was the industry here. Now the jars are brought in, and the small community fills them with the white whisky (Lao Lao) made in the village. Archeologists have excavated pots beneath the village that could be 2000 or more years old. If you want to try some of the finest and strongest Lao Lao shots you should go there not to early in the morning.
Pak Ou Caves north of Luang Prabang
Travel by boat about 25 km upstream from Luang Prabang on the Mekong River to the famous Pak Ou caves, in a limestone cliff at the mouth of the Nam Ou River. Already the boat ride on the mekong is an experience and the landscape around the cave is unique as well. These two caves are crammed with a huge number of Buddha images of all styles and sizes. Both caves are accessed by stairs.The lower cave, known as Tham Ting, is naturally lit. The upper cave, Tham Phum, is deeper, - bring a torch or rent one there.
Best
view from Luang Prabang
Mount Phousi and Wat That Chom Sii
situated 150m and 300 steps
up above the peninsula with spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside.
Even the climb might be tiring, the view is certainly worth the sweat. Looking out
into the country side you can see great mountains, the Mekong river and the great
location of the former kings residence. You can also see the old Royal Palace, now
the Museum, the old houses and surrounding villages. The temple has a gold spired
stupa that can be seen from most parts of the city.
It is surely the most favorite
sunset spot but also worth seeing in the early morning - with less people.