Luang Prabang -
The jewel of the Mekong
I know of no city in Southeast Asia quite like this royal capital. Despite rising visitor numbers, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has managed to preserve its character. So far, the city has avoided letting grand, ostentatious hotels destroy its overall character. Perhaps that’s also because most visitors come for the culture. If you’re looking to party, this is definitely not the place for you! When I first came to the country in 2007, there was still a curfew everywhere. Everyone had to be back at their hotel by 11:30 pm! The city’s small restaurants and bars still keep to this schedule today. From 11 pm, they start getting ready to head home.
Renovation of Wat Ho Pha Bang, 2007
Royal Palace Wat Ho Pha Bang 2019
Main road, 2007
Thanon Sisavangvong, the main street in 2017
Add a title here. It should summarize the section and encourage users to read on.
This is the text box for this paragraph. Click in the box and start typing. Once you’ve added your content, you can customize it.
This is a text field for this paragraph. Click in the field and start typing. Once you’ve added the content, you can customize it.
Luang Prabang - City of Temples
The name of the old royal city is derived from the Buddha statue Phra Bang. It was greatly revered by all Laotians and legitimized the king’s rule. The city was the country’s secular and spiritual center. It has always remained a modest size. 32 temples are dotted throughout the small city, which has only around 30,000 residents in its central area but is home to 3,000 monks!
Specialties in Luang Prabang
This is the text box for this paragraph. Click in the box and start typing.
Lao Hot Pot
I love this special kind of BBQ. It's especially popular in Thailand's northern Isaan region and here in Laos. What makes it special is that all kinds of food are grilled on the fire pot at the same time, while a delicious broth with noodles soaks up all those flavors. You can choose seafood, pork or beef as the main ingredient. It's often served buffet-style, where a group can eat their fill for about €10!
Day Trips from Luang Prabang – Well Worth It!
In addition to the ancient temple city of Luang Prabang, the surrounding area also has some truly worthwhile highlights to offer. Active travelers can take a several-hour paddle trip on the Khan River and combine it with a visit to the beautiful Tad Sae Waterfall.
Truly breathtakingly beautiful and well worth a visit is the famous Kuang Si Waterfall, with its terraces of crystal-clear water where you can also swim.
I especially enjoy taking a boat upstream on the Mekong to the famous Pak Ou Caves, with their countless Buddha statues.
Paddling on the Khan River
You can book tours lasting several hours in Luang Prabang. You’ll then be taken upstream to the harbor on the Khan River in a pickup truck with paddle boats.
