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- Destinations
- Asia
- Laos
- Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang
Encircled by mountains and charmingly situated at the meeting of
the Mekong and Khan Rivers, Luang Prabang, the 'Jewel of the
Mekong', conveys an atmosphere of remote serenity and informal
splendour.
The heart of a thriving kingdom for more than a thousand years,
today it is a sleepy mixture of ancient temples, cobbled lanes,
interesting backstreets, French-Indochinese architecture and
ochre-coloured colonial buildings. Trees line the streets above the
banks of the river where children swim and play, while farmers
carefully tend to their tiny, irregular riverside plots of
agricultural land. In the mists of dawn, throngs of barefoot
orange-robed monks silently make their way from the monasteries to
the streets, where locals wait to gain spiritual merit by filling
their wooden alms bowls with rice, before disappearing once again
into their places of refuge and meditation. Unhurried people drift
past stalls of spicy papaya salad, noodles, omelettes and fruit
drinks. This is the real Laos, a town with a distinctly
village-like feel, but endowed with a historical legacy so rich
that it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tourists
to Laos simply shouldn't miss this unique and fascinating city.
The main attractions in Luang Prabang are its historic temple
complexes, with about half of the original
wats, or temples, still standing. The most magnificent is
Wat Xieng Thong (Golden City Temple). Nearby is the Royal Palace
with its golden-spired
stupa, now a museum, and Wat Wisunalat, the oldest
continually-operating temple in the town. Across the river is Mount
Phu Si with several temples on its slopes and a monastery on top, a
popular spot for its dazzling sunset views of the gilded spires in
the town below.
A popular excursion from Luang Prabang is a scenic boat trip
past waterfront villages to the nearby Pak Ou caves, filled with
images of the Buddha. Also worth visiting is the picturesque Kuang
Si Falls, a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall tumbling over
limestone formations with clear turquoise pools below.
Information & Facts
Climate
The tropical monsoon climate in Luang Prabang is characterised
by two seasons, with wet weather from June to October and hotter,
dry weather from November to May. Temperatures in the rainy season
average at about 79°F (26°C), and in the dry season they reach an
average of around 86°F (30°C).
Language
Lao is the official language, but some English and French
are spoken.
Money
The Lao Kip (LAK) is the legal currency unit, currently
available in denominations of 1, 000, 5, 000, 10, 000, 20, 000 and
50, 000 kip. US Dollars, Euros and Thai Baht are also accepted in
many places and are more convenient to carry than large stacks of
the local currency. Banks, hotels, and jewellery shops all offer
currency exchange services. For everyday expenses, carry a mix of
US dollars and kip. For larger items, or when the exchange rate
works in your favour, use US dollars. For local transport, street
food stalls and minor purchases, it is best to use kip. When in
rural areas, ensure you carry a supply of small notes as change can
be hard to come by. Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard
are accepted at most international hotels, many shops and
restaurants, and a few tourist-orientated establishments in Luang
Prabang and Vientiane - but in other parts of the country assume
that only cash is accepted. Travellers cheques can be cashed at
most banks in Vientiane and other major towns. Banks are open
Monday to Friday from 8am to 12pm, and then again from 2pm to 3pm.
In Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse and other major towns, ATMs are
available from which money can be withdrawn. Note that ATMs
distribute only Lao kip, with a maximum of around 1, 000, 000 kip per
transaction.
Shopping
Shopping in Luang Prabang is a wonderfully rewarding pastime.
Don't miss the fresh produce market near the Mekong in Ban Pakam.
It's an authentic slice of Laotian life, and best visited in the
early morning. The night market opens at dusk each day in the
centre of town near Wat Mai. Check out the Baan Killy gallery for
high-quality Lao paper crafts, housed in a building that is itself
a work of art. Good places to buy quality fabrics are CAMACrafts
and Mulberries above Joma bakery, and Erawan Arts which sells
exceptional handicrafts from its magnificent 100-year-old premises.
The best Laos souvenirs are cotton fabrics, embroidery, carvings
and jewellery. Bargaining is expected. Don't be tempted to buy
relics as it is illegal to trade in antiquities.