What to visit in Luang Prabang, Laos

At first it was a bit of a shock. After exploring some entrancing but chaotic and grimy Southeastern Asian metropolis for a while, you get so used to noise, air pollution and to certain harassment from the locals, that you become almost immune to them; but there was none of this in Luang Prabang, in northern Laos.

Although the city is quite touristy and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage, the community have somehow kept and restored their old timber houses and dodged all the sordidness that tourism can attract, to convert the area into a refined and elegant town, a rare bird in Indochina.

Not surprisingly, many visitors end up staying here for longer than planned. Let's find out how this charming place can seduce you:

In the middle of the town, the Royal Palace stands out, now converted into a national museum.
Image by ¡kuba! and Aaron Geddes

You never have the feeling that there are too many tourists, possibly because the city has the ability to spread them out well. Image by Mctrent

The Nāgas are spectacular deities. Great for decoration.
Image by Allie Caulfield

Under the wires, you will find many surviving French colonial buildings.

No doubt, one of the best spots around LP is the Kuang Si Falls.

Beautiful, isn't it?

LP is not an easy to reach destination, since low cost AirAsia doesn't fly here (yet), and there are no direct connections with the big hubs of the region like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Hong Kong. Only from Bangkok, Hanoi and Siem Reap, and they are quite pricey. Image by ¡kuba!

You can also visit the Tad Sae Falls, and maybe meet some elephants.
Image by Jean-Michel Baud

The city is settled on a peninsula connected to its surroundings by bamboo toll bridges.

It's so quiet! oh, what are these orange dots at the right?

There are plenty of magnificent temples with their monks in saffron robes in this peaceful haven. Ah, monks having their cigarette break.

Life feels so organic here.
Image by Anguskirk

The Mekong offers a good chance for a great boat excursion.
Image by ¡kuba!

One of the most popular half day trips, because it's close, is going to the disappointing Pak Ou caves with their thousand Buddhas. But just sailing the river is a good excuse for the ride.
Image by Chrissam42

Looking for Marlon Brando, you can head up the river Nam Ou to Nong Khiaw. Or go even further, to a remote village only reachable by river, Muang Ngoi. Image by Pondspider

On the way you can enjoy spectacular views and meet the Laotian motley fleet, like this boat house.
Image by Chrissam42

But let's go back, we haven't finished yet with LP, there is a lot to do there!
Image by Jean-Marie Hullot

You can go to a traditional Lao dance performance.
Image by Elrentaplats

The main nocturnal attraction is the stylish night market, even if they all sell virtually the same things.
Image by Whl.travel

You have a morning market with fresh products as well.
Image by Krisprachant

For the early-risers, the Alms ceremony (offering food to the monks) is a must-see tradition, although it has become a parade for tourists. Image by ¡kuba!

Maybe Utopia was the reason why I was always late for the Alms ceremony. I read somewhere that the only bad thing about this bar, which uses sinister UXOs (unexploded ordnance) as flowerpots, is if you bump into it on your last night in town.

But in the daytime, any corner is good for meditation.

During the Water Festival celebrations, people used to gently sprinkle some water on each other to welcome the new year, as a sign of respect. Today it’s more a merciless battle of all against all.
Image by ¡kuba!

According to Wikipedia, Laos has the youngest population of any country in Asia.

Street scene. Apparently, the bun is quite chic in this land.

Luang Prabang is a really green city, this is what one of the main avenues looks like.
Image by Pondspider

Finally, a little detail: it seems that Laotians prefer Al Pacino in his role as the incorruptible cop in Serpico, instead of the more widely admired criminal in Scarface. Good choice.