Luang Prabang Overview

Luang Prabang overview can help you have a more comprehensive understanding of Luang Prabang from the basic information, geographical location, climate and so on.

Basic Information

Chinese Name: 琅勃拉邦
Location: North of Laos
Administrative Category: Provincial capital
Area: 10 square kilometers
Population: A population of approximately 100,000
Mian Ethnic Group: Lao Loum
Main Religion: Hinayana Buddhism
Main Airport: Luang Prabang International Airport
University: Souphanouvong University (SU) is a university in Luang Prabang, the old capital of Laos. It is one of 5 National Universities in Lao PDR, and was established in November 2003. The name of the university is derived from Prince Souphanouvong.
Important Festival and Activities: Lao New Year (also known as “Songkran Festival” or “Water-splashing Festival”).
Main Railway Station: Luang Prabang Railway Station
Famous Attractions: Kuang Si Waterfall, Mount Phousi, Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang Royal Palace, Wat Mai, Wat Wisunalat, Wat Manorom, Wat Aham, Tad Sae Waterfall, Pak Ou Caves, Hmong Night Market, Phousi Market, Dara Market, Sisavangvong Road, Whisky Village(Ban Xang Hai Village), and Elephant Village.

Geography

Luang Prabang, the capital of Luang Prabang province, is located at the confluence of the Nam Khan River and the Mekong River, which resembles an "L" shaped peninsula. With an area of less than 10 square kilometers and a population of 100,000, the city's downtown area stretches along the left bank of the Mekong River, with a cool climate and gentle terrain, averaging 290 meters above sea level. A very obvious landmark is the Mount Phousi, which stands in the center of the city.

Climate

Luang Prabang has only two seasons in a year, the dry season, which lasts from October to April, and the rainy season, which lasts from May to September. In the rainy season, it rains almost every day in Luang Prabang, but it is basically showers that last no more than an hour from start to finish, and sometimes it only rains in a certain area, which makes the air more humid. Many of the roads leading to villages or small towns in the outskirts of the city are still dirt roads, so the roads become muddy and difficult to navigate after the showers, and there are occasional landslides at the Kuang Si Waterfall and some sections of the road, which can cause some inconvenience when traveling. Therefore, it is the time when Luang Prabang is least visited by tourists. By and large, Luang Prabang is hot and humid all year round, with an average temperature of 28°C. However, in January, it can be a bit cooler, so it is advisable to bring an extra jacket for your trip then, as April and May are the hottest months of the year, with the highest temperature reaching 38°C.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season of Luang Prabang, from September to April, is the best time of year when most tourists choose to arrive. There is very little rain in this period and the weather can be slightly muggy, but the liveliest New Year of Laos comes toward the end of the dry season. The beauty of the rainy season is that you can often look up and see a brilliant rainbow hanging in the sky after raining, and it's also cooler afterwards.

Culture

The practice of giving alms is a long-standing tradition that has been maintained by Hinayana Buddhist monks for thousands of years and is common in Hinayana Buddhist countries in Southeast Asia, but because the ancient town of Luang Prabang is a World Heritage city with a large number and concentration of temples, the almsgiving here is known both at home and abroad. The almsgiving usually takes place early in the morning around 5 or 6 a.m. No matter how windy or rainy it is, the monks, barefoot, carrying their tin bowls and wearing orange robes, follow a fixed route every day, accepting frankly and quietly the offerings of devotees and tourists. The believers spread a mat, kneel by the roadside, and give the monks the first pot of rice they make with their own hands every morning. The monks have kept the rule of feeding themselves on the food they receive in the morning and praying for the people every day. The whole process is sacred and peaceful, which washes people's hearts and makes people understand why the Laotian are so kind and honest.

Transportation

By Air: Luang Prabang International Airport is located at the east of Luang Prabang ancient town, about 5km away and about 10 minutes by car. There are flights to Bangkok, Siem Reap, Hanoi, Vientiane and other places. From the airport to the urban area is actually very close, there is no coach, only minivan as main vehicle, the cost is 50,000 kips per person, or you can choose Tuktuk, the price is also between 40,000 and 50,000 kips. Usually, if you contact the hotel in advance, they can provide free shuttle service.
By Train: On December 03, 2021, China-Laos Railway had been put into traffic. Taking trains to Luang Prabang is possible.
By Coach: Luang Prabang is an important transportation hub in northern Laos. International buses from Kunming, Yunnan and Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, and Hanoi, Vietnam to Luang Prabang, Laos stop at the International Bus station, while buses to Vang Vieng and Vientiane stop at the southern bus station across the road from the International Bus Station. Tuktuk costs about 30,000 kip to get to the coach station from downtown Luang Prabang and takes about 10 minutes to get there.

Must-see in Luang Prabang

Travelers to Luang Prabang will enjoy the natural scenery while experience religious culture, food culture and folk customs. Here below several famous attractions are introduced:

Wat Xieng Thong: Built in 1560 and was a private property of the royal family until 1975, Wat Xieng Thong is a distillation of the ancient temple architecture of Luang Prabang and is one of the most important sites for the celebration of Lao New Year. The temple's eight pillars are beautifully carved in gold, and the jewel-encrusted Tree of Life on the back wall is magnificent.
Kuang Si Falls: Located 30 kilometers south of Luang Prabang, is a multi-layered and wide waterfall group. The waterfall has a maximum drop of 100 meters, and the scenic area is lush with vegetation and winding paths. The three-tiered waterfall pours down to form several pools with a blue-green sheen, where many locals and foreigners play in the water and have a good time.
Mount Phousi, 100 meters high, is located in the heart of Luang Prabang's old town, guarded on both sides by the Mekong and Nam Kan rivers respectively. The mountain is a religious sanctuary for the whole city, with several temples scattered across the mountain, which visitors can discover on their way up the mountain. Wat Pa Huak, located low on the north slope near the Royal Palace Museum, has exquisitely carved wooden frames, and the temple still has relatively intact original 19th century murals. That Chomsi is the highest point on the mountain and the starting point for the annual Lao New Year parade.
In addition, Mount Phousi is the high point of Luang Prabang's old town， many tourists choose it as a sunrise and sunset viewing point. The sunrise and sunset viewing point is across the road from the Royal Palace, and there is no need to pay the entrance fee for the temple.
Royal Palace Museum: Built in 1904, Royal Palace Museumis located in the center of the city and was initially the bedchamber of King Sisavong, and then of successive kings until 1975, when the monarchy was abolished and the palace was transformed into the Royal Palace Museum. The museum's architectural style combines Lao classical charm and French sentiment, in the shape of a cross, built on a multi-story platform, is a grand palace. The entire palace is gilded and glorious, and its interior is decorated with ancient elegance and splendor. The first thing you will see when you enter the main entrance is the statue of King Sisavang Vong, followed by a golden Buddha, which was a precious gift from the Khmer kingdom to Phraang, the founding king of Lancang in 1356, and was named "Prabang", from which the city of Luang Prabang got its name.
Pak Ou Caves: 25 kilometres upstream along the Mekong River, at the mouth of the Nam Ou River is the famous Pak Ou Caves, also known as the 'Cave of a Thousand Buddhas', which is home to a variety of Buddha images. On your way to the caves from Luang Prabang's old town, pass through the whisky village, known locally as 'Ban Xang Hai', and try the local speciality of lao-lao rice wine.
Tad Sae Waterfall: Tad Sae Waterfall, also known as White Snow Falls, is located at the confluence of the Hoi Sai and Nam Kan rivers and features multiple layers of limestone rock formations, similar to the Kuang Si Waterfall. However, Tad Sae Waterfall has a greater number of pools that slope into it, the height of the waterfall drop is smaller and it is closer to Luang Prabang.
Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham: Built in the 18th century near the Royal Palace Museum, it is the grandest and most beautifully decorated temple in the city of Luang Prabang. The five-storey-roofed timber-framed main hall of Mae Fook Temple follows the standard Luang Prabang style, with a front porch decorated with elaborate wooden pillars and ornate gilt-relief walls. An emerald statue of Buddha is enshrined in the main hall, behind which is a hayloft housing two racing boats. During the Lao New Year, the famous golden Buddha of Luang Prabang will be moved from the Palace Museum to Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham for public worship.

More Luang Prabang Attraction

What to Eat

The cuisine of Luang Prabang is diverse, with local Lao cuisine being full of flavor, including sticky rice, green papaya salad, grilled fish, etc., often with tropical spices that are rich in flavor but not greasy.
As Laos was once a French colony, there are many places where you can get a tempting and exquisite French meal and breakfast, especially in the Luang Prabang and Vientiane areas;
Laos is next to Thailand and Vietnam, so there is no shortage of authentic Thai and Vietnamese food, and Thai Tom Yum Kung soup and Vietnamese spring rolls are highly sought after by the locals.