Overview Luangprabang city

A city full of history, built on a peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, surrounded by mountains, Luang Prabang has many tourist attractions - it is undoubtedly the most visited city of Laos. The former capital of Lan Xang, the “Kingdom of a Million Elephants", Luang Prabang is a city of charm and tranquility, with a history of centuries of prosperity and misfortune. Coveted throughout history, the city was the capital of several ancient kingdoms and so, changed its name before being baptized Luang Prabang. Despite the horrors of war, looting, and its own history, Luang Prabang has retained its charm, its magic and its mystery.

Since 1995, the city of Luang Prabang has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. The architectural mix of the city; from traditional Lao buildings, French colonial influence to the influences of Vietnam and even China create a photographers paradise.  This interweaving of architectural styles gives a natural magic and beauty and has largely contributed to the influx of tourists.

Among the attractions of the city are the numerous and often spectacular wats. The wats are Buddhist temples, monasteries that are found mostly in Cambodia, Burma and Laos of course. They are places of both worship and retreats for monks in training, most of them novices. The most important of them are Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Wisunalat and those located on the hillside of Mount Phou Si but there innumerable places of worship Luang Prabang. If you convert to Buddhism you convert to the spiritual serenity inspired by these temples. 

Luang Prabang has always been an artistic center. Many artists and craftsmen living in Luang Prabang were probably attracted by the magic and beauty of the city. The city is a real treasure trove of places to explore; antique shops, the night market, which occupies much of the downtown at night and merchants offering  their books, crafts, jewellery, wooden toys, fabrics and cloths, objects of worship, etc..

Luang Prabang is above all a city for strolling and being left in reverie and awe. Take time to explore on foot or by bike - it's a real pleasure to get lost in the streets, to enter one of the many Wats adorning every corner of the city or simply go to sample the pleasure of surprising scenes of the daily lives of people who live in the city. Luang Prabang is beautiful, elegant and peaceful; considered by many to be the “Jewel of Laos