At last we landed at Luang Prabang, the laid back former royal capital in Laos. It was listed as the World Heritage Site by Unesco. The sleeping city has seen an increasing number of visitors. We started from Pak Beng at 9am and arrived at around 4pm. As usual many guesthouse representatives will be there to do businesses.
Take your time to digest and find a way up to the night market in Luang Prabang. Here is the exciting place and the guesthouse over here is very cheap. It is around US10-US20, depending on whether you want the room with an air conditioner or without. If hotel style will cost around US30 and above. All these you can find near the night market. I stay at Jaliya Guest House at Pamaha Phasaman Rd. It cost me only 70,000 kip (US10) without air conditioner because the whether there is quiet cooling.
Luang Prabang is located in the north of Laos. The town is one of the best preserved places in Southeast Asia and its beautifully restored temples, period buildings, traditional cultures and its mountainous landscape make it a 'must see' for those visiting the region. Plenty of places you can visit like National Museum, Phou Si Stupa, Wat Xieng Thong, Morning Alms Giving Ceremony, Tam Ting ( Pak Ou Cave) Night Market, Kuang Si Tad Sae waterfall and etc. Luang Prabang should be explored on foot in order to appreciate the beauty and serenity of the city's 32 pagodas.
Tam Ting (Pak Ou Cave)
It is easily accessible by boat or car. This is a cave filled with Buddha images. It is located on the bank of the Mekong and the mouth of the Nam Ou. Outside the cave is the impressive sight of the steep cliff falling sharply into the Nam Ou river.
Le Mont Phousi (Phou Si Stupa)
Mount Phousi is Luang Prabang holy mountain and it sits on the top. The view from the top is superb, especially in the evening when the sunset colors the Mekong river in red before disappearing behind the mountains. From there you can get a perfect 360 degree panoramic view of the whole city. All good things come with a price, in this case, a steep staircase of 328 steps will be yours. Hahaha.... Well it is indeed a challenge to go all the way up... Challenge yourself!! Don't give up and you won't regret!
In Luang Prabang, you just can't miss the night market that unfolds every night when the main street (Sisavangvong road) becomes pedestrian walkways from 5pm-10pm. Variety of local textiles and ethnic Laos handicraft are for sale here.
Every morning the people of Luang Prabang line the streets to offer food (alms giving) and pay respect to monks who form a procession through the town. This beautiful yet solemn religious ceremony is an important aspect of Lao's lives and heritage.
Kuang Si and Tad Sae Waterfalls
The largest and most dramatic ones. Both are perfect for swimming and picnic and accessible by boat or car.
Fascinating sunset while having our dinner at Mekong riverside.
We can travel to Luang Prabang by air, road and boat. There are various ways of getting around Luang Prabang like renting a motorbike, bicycles, tour bus, mini van and tuk tuk too. They are cheap and easy way to get around.
Nong Khiaw
From Luang Prabang, we can visit a small quiet town call Nong Khiaw by mini van at bus station. It takes few hours journey to reach Nam Ou River. This town is surrounded by towering limestone peaks. Just an hour journey up the river and only accessible by boat is a place called Muang Ngoi, a great base for trekking and kayaking in the region.
At Moung Ngoi village, electricity supply is only available from 7pm-10pm. So if you intend to visit this peaceful village, do bring some candles for night use. All accommodation lines one strip along the river bank. Boats back to Nong Khiaw is from where you land at Muang Ngoi and it leaves every morning at 9.30am and the cost is 20, 000kip per person. An hour journey using this slow boat is really fascinating with the breathtaking view.
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