LUANG PRABANG
NATURAL STATE.
The country is Laos, the people are Lao and the language is Lao, not laotian as some tend to say. This socialist nation was a leading kingdom of Southeast Asia for four centuries. Luang Prabang the village, is a flux of many of the best things life has to offer and was the original capitol of Laos in the 1300’s under King Fa Ngoum. The country gained full independence in 1975 forming the People’s Democratic Republic following many years of internal disputes after gaining independence from the French in 1953. The town of Luang Prabang is a Unesco World Heritage Site and featuring colonial buildings from Indochina as well as the King’s Palace and Buddhist Temples. Monks still inhabited the monastery in town and one can find a sublime ease and peace here. There is not the hustle of other places in South East Asia, people do not negotiate as much, you respect things as they are and can truly exist in the history of this place, there is no fourth wall. We went on many adventures in this town, meeting young school children, elephants, enjoying authentic shopping and crossing a very high and seemingly dangerous bridge like something out of Indiana Jones. You will need proper fuel for all these excursions so be sure to eat LOTS of sticky rice!
DO. CROSS THE BRIDGE
Royal Palace, King’s mansion and museum
Mount Phousi, trek up the hill, dont buy the birds in the cages also torture, bring your own donation to the gods, like a piece of fruit or petal of a fallen flower.
Wat Sene, historic buddhist temple
Wat Xiengthong, Buddhist temple numero dos
Wat Kili, Sakkaline Rd, Buddhist temple numero tres
The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC), Dala Market, Louangphrabang (Luang Prabang) 0600, Laos
The Mandalao Elephant Sanctuary
Nam Khan River Bridge aka The Bamboo Bridge
VISIT TO THE
SURROUNDING
VILLAGES AND LOCAL
PRE-SCHOOLS
The visit here is as unique to Laos as it is in other parts of the world, Prasop Tipprasert, co-founder and director of the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, makes the experience very special. You arrive at this true haven and are seated under a jungle pagoda building, Prasop explains to you the sanctuary’s method of communicating with the elephant, teaching them how to connect with their care-trackers and researching the true wisdom elephants contain. Unlike most elephant experiences in South East Asia, this is strictly, no riding. Most attractions with elephants involve human riding which is torture to these exemplary beings and ignorant, intolerable behavior that humans should seek to eradicate.
STAY. ON MAIN STREET
Hotel 3 Nagas, Vat Nong Village, Luang Prabang 00600, Laos $186
Villa Maly Boutique Hotel, 75, Oupalath Khamboua Road, Ban That Luang Village, Luang Prabang 843300, Laos $66
Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel, Rue Chao Fa Ngum, Ban Thatluang, Luang Prabang, Laos $191
The Belle Rive Hotel, 99 Baan Phonehueang, Luang Prabang, Laos $77
Amantaka, Ban Thongchaleun, 55/53 Kingkitsarath Rd $600
The Luang Say Residence, 4-5 ban Phonepheng, Luang Prabang, Laos $226
SHOP. THE ALCHEMICAL SCARF, THE BUCKET HAT AND THE BICHICHI SWORD
TAEC Boutique, Historic District, Laos government run artisan supported boutique find amazing vine woven shoulder bags such as my pink one seen below and great indigo scarves
Naga Creations, Luang Prabang, Laos wonderful jewelry shop, the owner sold us our 3 Bichichi necklaces, a Laotian Sword and cover
Le Pavillon de Jade, 45 Sakarin Road 06000 ask for Patrice the owner. These are the most beautiful scarves I have ever seen, dried fruits, flowers and shells of insects are crushed and used to create this mystical colors
Satri Lao Boutique
Heuanchanh Heritage House, Luang Prabang, Laos
Ock Pop Tok, 73/5, Luang Prabang, Laos
Passa Paa, 79 Sakkaline Rd, Luang Prabang, Laos
Pathana Boupha Antique House, Chao Xomphou, 26/2 Ban Visoun, Luang Prabang, Laos
Ma Te Sai, Unnamed Road, Luang Prabang, Laos
Indigo Fabric, Kingkitsarath Rd, Luang Prabang, Laos
Anakha (The Blue House) 9 Sakkaline Road, Ban Vat Sene, BP 40, Luang Prabang 06000, Laos
Patta Textile Gallery and Cafe, Xiengleck 03, Luang Prabang, Laos
EAT. STICKY RICE!
Bamboo Tree Restaurant and Cooking School, 49/3 Wisunalat Road, Luang Prabang, Laos delicious Lao lunch also a cooking school
Sabaidee restaurant, Luang Prabang, Laos local and delicious
L'Etranger Books & Tea, 3 Th Kingkitsarat ban Aphay Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang 06000, Laos
La Belle Epoque at The Luang Say Residence, 4-5 ban Phonepheng, Luang Prabang, Laos
Manda de Laos, Ban That, Laos unbelievable beautiful with traditional Lao food
Kimsatcat Korean Restaurant, Korean bbq if you are keen
Governor's Grill , Ban Mano, Luang Prabang buffalo tasting platter!
3 Nagas, Ban Vatnong, Sakkaline Road, Luang Prabang, Laos where we stayed and ate most nights, sticky rice is amazing and purple