coffee and bar in laos foood kouangsi waterfall laos Luangprabang market night market temple Unesco world heritage

1.Spend a day visiting some of Luang Prabang’s 32 shimmering temples, most notably Vat Vixoun, Vat Xieng Thong (pictured below), and Vat Sene.
2.Climb Mount Phousi for sweeping panoramic views of this World Heritage City. Mount Phousi is located in the center of town. Climb the 300 steps to the summit, where golden-spired Wat Chomsi sits, in the late afternoon to watch the sunset over Luang Prabang and the Mekong.

3.Visit the stunning Kuang Sii Waterfalls and Bear Rescue Cente

4.Eat by candlelight with friends, exploring some of LP’s many cafes and bars with lovely outdoor spaces. Some of our favorites include: JoMa Bakery Cafe, Lao Lao Garden, Tangor, and Hive Bar.

5.Channel the Hmong and other mountain tribes at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center. As you exit through the gift shop, be sure to pick up some really cool hand-made gifts. The proceeds go to the hill-tribe people who crafted them.

6.Spend the day (or half a day) washing, riding and learning to train elephants at the Elephant Village.

7.Shop till you drop at the local markets while cruising the streets of LP. Markets include the Phousy Market and the Hmong Night Market. 

8.For the actively inclined: Cycle, Kayak or Trek. Some local outfitters include: Green Discovery Laos, White Elephant Adventures, or Action Max Laos.

9.Get your grub on at the night street food market. This food is no-joke. Fill your plate up, all-you-can eat for $1.00 USD!!!


10.Wake up before dawn to pay homage to the monks, young and old alike


11.Tour the Royal Palace Museum to see an impressive collection of Buddhist art and royal Lao artifacts.
12.Visit the famous Pak Ou Caves.
s stated in the title, the entire city of Luang Prabang is protected as a World Heritage Site (#479).


As I write this post, I am itching to go back to this jewel-like town in Laos to do all the things I didn’t have time to do. I yearn to spend weeks there, just relaxing and taking in the laid-back, magical atmosphere, like so many people we met decided to do when they came for a week and stayed for six… or more!

writen by Lindsay, traverlusters

Anonymous 0 Comments

beauty buddhist city elephants laos Luangprabang magic Mekong mystery Nam Khan river Unesco world heritage

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

Anonymous 0 Comments