Tour Luang Prabang now! Here are WoWasis, the gorgeous Laotian city of Luang Prabang gets our vote as the most beautiful city in Southeast Asia. This oasis surrounded by hills, with more than thirty temples to visit, sits in a serene setting next to the Mekong River. The city has only 16,000 people, is easily walkable, and is the home of three tribal groups, the Hmong, Mien, and Thai. Luang Prabang is the old royal capital of Laos, and boasts beautiful architecture, a wonderful museum, inexpensive but very good places to stay, and great food. You can even take a terrific cooking class here.
Luang Prabang Top 5
1) See Luang Prabang’s temples on a walk around town. With the possible exception of Thailand’s Chiang Mai, you’ll never see as many beautiful temples as you will here. The temples are prime examples of Lao temple architecture in three styles, the Luang Pranag, the Vientiane, and the Xieng Khuang. The city is so compact that you can see just about all of the temples in one day, but that’s jammin’ Take an extra day and get leisurely. The weather’s usually lovely, birds are singing, and you’re never far from your hotel. You can’t afford to miss the remarkable temple called Wat Xieng Thong, or the wonderful golden exterior reliefs at Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham.
2) The Royal Palace Museum was built in the early 1900s as a home for King Sisavang Vong. This breathtaking mixture of Lao and Beaux Arts architecture was occupied by the ill-fated King Sisavang Vatthana and family until the mid-1970s. Now a museum, the building contains Buddha figures, royal apartments, furniture and effects, and is stunning.
3) The Talat Dala market has remarkable contemporary tribal crafts, but the people themselves, in their colorful clothing and friendly demeanor, are the highlights. The market is much less crowded with tourists than markets in many other Southeast Asian towns and cities, and is not to be missed.
4) Climb Phu Si hill. Right in the middle of town, Phu Si hill is only 300 feet high, commands a nice view of the town, and has several interesting temples that you can see along the way. It’s best to go early in the day or in the late afternoon when the weather’s cool and there’s a nice breeze.
5) Take a ride through the countryside. You can do it by car and driver, and you can also do it on the back of a motorbike like we here at WoWasis did. Either way, you’re close to tribal culture, and the countryside and views while going through tribal villages are outstanding.
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