Luang Prabang is in northern Laos at the heart of a mountainous region. The town is built on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. Mountain ranges (the PhouThao and PhouNang Mountains) encircle the city in lush greenery.
Many legends are associated with the creation of the city, including one that recounts that Buddha would have smiled when he rested there during his travels, prophesying that it would one day be the site of a rich and powerful city. Known as Muang Sua, then Xieng Thong, from the 14th to the 16th century the town became the capital of the powerful kingdom of Lane Xang (Kingdom of a Million Elephants), whose wealth and influence were related to its strategic location on the Silk Route. The city was also the center of Buddhism in the region.
Luang Prabang takes its name from a statue of Buddha, the Prabang, offered by Cambodia.
After the establishment of the French Protectorate in 1893, following a period of turmoil during which the country was divided into three independent kingdoms, Luang Prabang once again became the royal and religious capital during the reign of King Sisavang Vong. It played this role until Vientiane became the administrative capital in 1946.
Luang Prabang is exceptional for both its rich architectural and artistic heritage that reflects the fusion of Lao traditional urban architecture with that of the colonial era. Its remarkably well-preserved townscape reflects the alliance of these two distinct cultural traditions.
The political and religious center of Luang Prabang is the peninsula, with its royal and noble residences and religious foundations. The colonial urban morphology, including the network of streets, overlapped harmoniously with the previous model. Formerly the town limits were defined by defensive walls.
The richness of Luang Prabang architecture reflects the mix of styles and materials. Many of the buildings are, following tradition, wooden structures. Only the temples are in stone, whereas one- or two-storey brick houses characterize the colonial element of the town.
The many pagodas or "Vat" in Luang Prabang, which are among the most sophisticated Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, are richly decorated (sculptures, engravings, paintings, gilding and furniture pieces). Wat Xieng Thong, which dates from the 16th century, comprises an ensemble of the most complex structures of all the pagodas of the town.
The sacred Mount Phousi stands at the heart of the historic town built on a peninsula delimited by the Mekong and the Nam Khan, domain of the mythical naga. Ceremonies to appease the nagas and other evil spirits, and Buddhist religious practices (Prabang procession, the monks’ morning quest) perpetuate the sanctity of the place. Natural spaces located in the heart of the city and along the riverbanks, and wetlands (a complex network of ponds used for fish farming and vegetable growing) complement this preserved natural environment.
Kuang Si Waterfall
One of Luang Prabang Most famous waterfalls, 17 Km away form the town, a pleasant ride out over bailey bridges from a time gone by.
Certain times of the year when the rainy season is upon us, the falls cascade with a thunderous roar of water from the plateau above. (May to September)
At the bottom of the falls, there are several turquoise pools of water and various cascades of up to 3-5 meters. Most of the pools are off limits with only a few open to swimming, please follow the rules of the Tourism department and protect and respect the natural beauty of this sacred location.
The falls have been upgraded with nature trails, steps and ropes to assist you to the plateau and the new attraction of sip lines and a restaurant above.
Upgraded restaurants and picnic benches are in and around the falls.
Don’t forget to visit the bear sanctuary and support their effort to protect and nurture the bears back to health to protect them for future generations.
Visit the butterfly garden below the falls and just outside the boundaries.
Tad Sea Waterfall
Tat Sae is at about 18 kilometers from Luang Prabang, going south to Vientiane. Not visited as much by tourists as other places, there are a lot of young Laotians who bathe fully clothed in the summer.
They bathe fully clothed to avoid any problems with suggestive underwear. The waterfall, even though it is not in such a splendid setting as the one at Kouangsi, has more going for it in the way of amusements, offering numerous pools in ‘stairs.
There are many uses made of this waterfall, including “hydro massaging of the back”, the surroundings are perfect for this. You must pay en entrance fee after having taken a small motorboat to pass the Nam Khan River (tributary of the Mekong).
Manda Lao : Elephant Sanctuary
“MandaLao” is an elephant rescue that opened in November 2016 and is located 25 mins from Luang Prabang in the village of Ban Xieng Lom.
They are considered the second and only non-riding elephant experience in Luang Prabang. We have 8 adult female elephants and one 2 year old baby boy Kit.
“Mandalao” is here help visitors connect with elephants in the most natural way possible in elephant tourism today.
Their tours focus on education, elephant welfare and providing trekking in a small group in the jungle with elephants. They preserve and protect both domesticated elephants and those who remain in the wild.
they do this through responsible tourism, education, and sustainable relationships with the local community.'
Elephant Conservation Center of Sayabouly
The Elephant Conservation Center, located in Sayabouly in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, acts to preserve and protect the Asian elephant, a species that is on its way to extinction. Created in 2011 by a team of experts, its program is set up around the wellbeing of the animal, the reproduction, vet care, and the schooling of mahouts.
The Center only welcomes elephants that have been working in the logging industry or mass tourism., but there are also some elephants that were born because of the Baby Bonus programme, which was set up by the Center.
Today, about 30 elephants in their heard, can enjoy 530 hectares of protected forest some do move back and forth from Thailand as the roam free.
Committed more generally to substantive work for the preservation of Asian elephants, the Center offers new working conditions to mahouts and new breeding opportunities for their elephants.
Through several projects, it can inform the disadvantaged populations of the country, which traditionally live from the work of elephants.
Living Farm
This unique half day activity invites you on an in-depth and hands-on learning experience, where you will participate in 14 steps of the rice cycle on The Living Land Farm.
You will be a rice farmer learning how to select seeds, plant, ploughs with the help of the farm’s water buffalo and every other step until the last one - eating!
The Living Land Farm, a community enterprise just outside of Luang Prabang, maintains educational programs and professional organic farming right next to the village’s rice paddies. Only small groups are able to join the interactive rice farming experience – either in the morning or afternoon.
With your participation you support locals, maintaining their crafts in their traditional forms. You will see and learn about bamboo weaving, tool and trap making, gardening and even blacksmithing.
http://www.livinglandlao.org/
River Cruises
Luang Prabang offers a wide selection of River cruises, either private or as part of a group, from 50 100 seaters or just on your own with a local boat captain, both options are ideal to explore the mighty Mekong heading upstream or downstream explore the riverbanks and hustle and bustle that goes on in a normal day on the river!
Take in breath taking views and high cliffs, enchanting locations, riverside temples and the famous Pak Ou caves with over 4000 statues of the buddha, explore a whiskey village and local fabrics.
Our team would be delighted to help you choose the right cruise on the Mekong.
