Luang Prabang

Fast Facts

Location: Located in the north central part of Laos, on the Mekong River.
Attraction Type: City
Significance: Wonderful city known for natural beauty and historical richness.
Best time to Visit: November to March.
How to Reach: The best way to reach Luang Prabang is by air. You can also reach there by bus from various Laos cities.
Nearest Airport: Luang Prabang International Airport

Luang Prabang, also known as Luang Phabang and Luang Phrabang, is the former capital of Laos. It’s the natural as well as historical richness of the city that has earned the fame and made it a popular tourist attraction in Laos. Located in the north central part of the country, on the Mekong River, the city of Luang Prabang has to offer a lot to its visitors. Once the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos, Luang Prabang has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visiting Luang Prabang

The city of Luang Prabang has got natural beauty and at the same time, it is also historically rich. The brilliant patchwork of the traditional Lao wooden houses would surely attract your attention. You will also find the hint of European architecture here. The Golden-roofed temples (or ‘wats’ as they say it) with mosaics and murals of Buddha’s life are surely the highlights of the city.

Visit Haw Kham — the former royal palace and Vat Xieng Toung — the oldest monastery of the town. Go up to Phou Si, the main hill, and have some amazing views of the whole area. But careful, there will be a steep climb to the top. The night market is also an interesting place to visit.

You can also visit some other attractions, though a bit away from the city of Luang Prabang. Kuang Si Falls is a wonderful waterfall, just 29 km south of the city. Pak Ou Caves are knows as the “Buddha Caves”, which are quite popular among the tourists.

Accommodation

One can find a number of hotels in Luang Prabang. The good point is, the city provides hotels for all sorts of travelers. If you are looking for some budget accommodation, you can choose from Cold River Guesthouse, Merry Guesthouse, Levady Guesthouse, VannaPhone Guest House etc. Those who are looking for some mid-range accommodation can choose from Jade Hotel, Hotel De Lyon, Rama Hotel, New Daraphet Villa etc. Among high-end hotels, there are Sala Luang Prabang, The Grand, Villa Santi Resort and La Residence Phou Vao etc.