 City of Luang Prabang and Nam Khan from Phousi | ||
| Luang Prabang | ||
| province | Luang Prabang | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 53.792 (2012) | |
| height | 305 m | |
| Tourist info | 856 71212487 tourismluangprabang.org | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Dynamic cardsLuang Prabang is the capital of eponymous province and second largest city in Laos. Until 1560 it was the capital of the Kingdom of Lan Xang ("one million elephants"). After the collapse of Lan Xang and the temporary destruction of Vientiane, it became the capital again and remained the residence of the kings until the abolition of the monarchy in 1975. According to this, Luang Prabang is the historically most interesting city in Laos, as evidenced by many sights.
background
The old royal city is located at the mouth of the Nam Khan River in the Mekong in the northern mountains of Laos. Since 1995 the city with its temples belongs to the UNESCO world cultural heritage.Under the name of Fa Ngum it was the capital of Lan Xang, the Land of millions of elephants. Around 1356 the city became a place of pilgrimage for the Buddha statue Phra Bang. The 83 cm high statue or its copy gave the city its name and is still venerated today. From 1564 onwards, it was also seen as looted art today for over 200 years Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok located Emerald Buddha in the walls of the royal palace.
Along Sisavangvong Rd., Often simply referred to as “tourist street” or “nightmarket street”, most of the places of interest for tourists can be found, which also leads to corresponding pricing.
getting there
By plane
The only 4 km outside 1 Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ) has a manageable size. In addition to Lao Airlines (with turboprop aircraft), it is served by numerous airlines, including European ones. There are direct connections to Hanoi, Bangkok, Siem Reap and Pakse.
By bus
There are two bus stations, both just outside on National Road 13. One is the 2 Northern bus station (near the airport).
It is used much more frequently by tourists 3 Southern Bus Terminal, open 6 am-7pm, about 3.5 km from the city center. Timetables and regular prices are posted; also for taxis / tuk-tuks (10000 kip / p.p.) in the village, whose drivers usually do not speak English, do not know (want) where to go and in principle never have change except when asking for moon prices. If in doubt, let yourself be driven to the police station (see below), which is centrally located in the quarter with the accommodations and should prevent excessive insolence.
From Vientiane there are buses to Luang Prabang several times a day. The trip costs 210,000 kip (March 2013). Even after Kunming There is a bus connection once a day (18-20 hours; 470000 kip).
Busses run daily to / from Hanoi (approx. 24 hours) at a price of 850,000 dong / 300,000 kip (Oct. 2016). These are comfortable for people up to 1.75 m tall and tolerable for taller people. In both cities long travel agencies with hefty commissions, in Hanoi's travel agencies the journey costs D 1-1.2 million, but you are also picked up from the hotel, driven to the bus station and put on the right bus.
In the street
The well-developed national road NH 13 leads over a distance of approx. 400 km from Vientiane and Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. Travel time from Vientiane: 12-14 hours
By boat
There are no longer any real trips to Vientiane. River cruises on the Mekong are available both downstream to Vientiane and upstream to the Pak Ou caves and on to Huayxay. The Mekong is often not very deep, there are rapids, sometimes you can see rocks protruding from the water, and it also happens that whole trunks are floating in the water. Speedboats with powerful engines are often on the move, helmet and life jacket are then part of the equipment. Luxury tourist boats with approx. 20 seats are more comfortable and entertaining. The normal passenger boats offer space for a good 100 people. The journey from Huayxay to Luang Prabang takes 2 days. Overnight in Pak Beng, where there are enough guest houses and hotels.
mobility
Luang Prabang is easy to hike through, the distances are not particularly great. There are also numerous mopeds, bicycles (also rental at Tourist St.) and tuk-tuks. Speedboats are very popular on the Mekong, albeit noisy. Anyone who thinks they have to bother the surrounding region with loud motorcycle rattle will also find landlords for this.
The ferries across the Mekong leave 4 Khem Kong departure point Behind the National Museum.
In the city area, rummaging around various tourist attractions, so-called E-bus lines, essentially large, electrically operated golf carts that run about every half hour. Particularly popular with Chinese tourists, three lines are served: “green” and “yellow” at 5,000 per round trip, the “red” line costs 10,000. Route plans and tickets are available in shops at the respective stops. In terms of price, this is a sensible alternative to tuk-tuks.
Tourist Attractions
Some temples require entry (10-20,000 kip) to visit the central building, the Vihan. Not all systems are worth the price.
- The 1 Mount Phou Si towers over the city by around 130 meters. The golden stupa on its summit is a prominent point and attracts visitors. You climb the mountain over allegedly 328 steps of the Naga stairs, But they are difficult to count because the path has numerous branches, plus the distraction of Buddha figures, small chapels, interesting old trees. A small, unremarkable temple with Buddha's footprint, the Wat Phra Buddhabhat, is also on the hill. At the foot of the ascent to the summit is the vihan of the former monastery Wat Pa Huak, worth seeing because of the old wall paintings. At the top you can still see the mount of an anti-aircraft gun from the warlike days of American aggression, then you have reached the gold-plated stupa on the summit, next to which a small chapel invites you to reflect. For the effort of the ascent, the view over the roofs of the city rewards, but only when bad weather does not cloud it.
- The former Royal Palace, is today 2 National Museum. Tel.: 856 71 212 122. Four times a week at 6 p.m. theater performances of traditional plays (100-150,000) according to the notice at the entrance. The palace was built shortly after 1900. In its rooms there are furniture and everyday objects of the last rulers, classical Laotian musical instruments, masks and pictures complete the collection. Unfortunately, photography is prohibited in the rooms. In the back yard there is a shed with "His Majesty's Vehicles," a collection of five rusting American road cruisers and a Citroen. On the grounds of the palace there is also a new temple pavilion in which the statue of Phra bang Buddha should find their place. You are not allowed to enter the interior. As the city's main attraction, the museum is flooded with guided tour groups.Open: daily 8.00-11.30 a.m., 1.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m.Price: 30,000 K.
- The temple Wat May adjoins the wall of the royal palace. There is an altar in it. During the Lao New Year celebrations, the local replica of the Phra Bang-Buddhas on display here.
- 3 Wat Visoun (or Visunalat) (On the south side of Mount Phou Si, just outside the old town area). The stupa with the name That pathum or lotus stupa is also known as That Makmo, "Watermelon Stupa." The facility is from the one next to it Wat Aham only separated by a low wall, so that one wanders back and forth between the two temples without really noticing it. The stalls on the premises are intrusive (the residents of Buddhist temples are said to live without money) and the fact that it is believed that the average temple vihans are each worth 20,000 kip entry.Open: open during the day.Price: 20,000 kip.
- 4 Wat Xienthong (Khem Khong, near the tip of the peninsula.). probably the best known and most beautiful of all around 30 temples in Luang Prabang. It is located directly on a small hill at the confluence of the Khan River with the Mekong. The walls and pillars are lavishly decorated, and a huge Buddha smiles at visitors. Numerous figures can still be seen in an outbuilding of the monastery, including the carriage that was used at the funeral of the last king.
activities
Luang Prabang is known for its natural beauty and the Mekong. Well organized for tourists, with corresponding surcharges from the agencies, excursions to waterfalls, elephant camps, bike tours and hikes with overnight accommodation, kayak and rafting tours as well as cooking or weaving courses are possible and through local Agencies bookable.
Excursions to places like the “Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Center” and elephant safaris are clearly aimed at eco-enthusiasts with thick purses.
- Fixed and regular events
- The Phimai (New Year) festival is a colorful spectacle at the beginning of the Buddhist New Year.
- To the October full moon, the End of the rainy season retreat Buddhist monks are celebrated with a large parade. Several paper boats (up to the size of a carnival float) lit with candles inside are brought through the streets to the Mekong.
Current event information can be found under “Events” on the city's tourist website.
shop
You can buy many handcrafted things in Luang Prabang. The most famous are certainly the Laotian weavings, shawls, silk, carvings and handmade paper. All of this is concentrated during the day on 1 Hmong Market. Everything is easy to buy, even on the Night market, which takes place in the adjoining main street. In both cases, this is done in a tourist-friendly atmosphere with appropriate pricing (missing price tags).
In the main street there are numerous shops as well as boutiques and nicely arranged shops. Some paintings can also be bought in the art school, objects made of bamboo and cotton are also part of the traditional on-site offerings.
- The block of the a little more in the city 2 Dara Market, Kingkitsarath Rd. offers a few shops set up for tourist needs, a lot of household goods and tools in the area, etc. To the rear there is a small western-style supermarket.
- Fresh produce, You can actually buy fruit, vegetables, live snakes, toads or moths to eat in the small streets 3 old district (between Wat Mai and Kitsalat Rd.). Open: (mornings).
kitchen
At the cheapest cheapest price you can enjoy freshly prepared noodle soup in the market or street stalls for 10-20,000 kip. There is little risk of food poisoning here, since you only buy for daily needs and the ingredients are heated through immediately beforehand, something that you don't necessarily get guaranteed in some high-priced restaurants with displays and few customers.
nightlife
Better to call it evening life. Go out to eat in comfort and there is a lot to be found in one of the bars on the Mekong or behind the Phousi Mountain. In Luang Prabang, all restaurants close at 11:30 p.m. at the latest.
- The longer opens 1 Bowling Alley. Tel.: 856 20 58 300 457. There is a bowling alley and beer here.Open: 11 a.m.-2.30 p.m.
Note: All of the following entries are older and may not be up to date.
- Le Elephant. French restaurant.
- Blue Lagoon. International fine cuisine.
- The Apsara. In the hotel of the same name, quite upscale.
- Mekong Fish. International cheap food.
- Hive bar. As the name suggests, with snacks and a stylish ambience.
- Lao Lao Garden. Garden style drinks and food, next to Hive Bar.
- Khili Wine Bar. Insider tip and on the peninsula in a side street near Nam Khan.
- Dao Fa disco. Near stadium, every driver knows, music partly live, young audience, very funny Laotian.
- Muang Suwa. Local disco with Laotian music and some pop music.
accommodation
For individual travelers, in view of the large number of offers in the side streets of “Tourist Street” and its extension, the question arises whether booking in advance makes sense at all. Your own appearance should reveal one or the other well-kept guest house that cannot be found on the internet. The higher priced houses can be found on the tourist information website.
(Prices Oct. 2016)
Cheap
Hostels, with dormitory bed prices, are available for 30-50,000 kip.
- 1 Cheng Guest House 2, Oupalathkhamboua Rd, Ban Thatluang. Family business in an ordinary house. The family, which is extremely charming even by Laotian standards, lives downstairs in the front building, the upper floor is a dormitory with two wings (male and female), whose beds, some of which are equipped with curtains and mosquito nets, testify to the very loving carpentry work done by himself. In the adjoining building behind it there are single and double rooms.Price: Dorm 30000 Kip.
medium
The mid-range starts at € 10-12 p.p. in double.
Upscale
Luxurious accommodation is available for a single from 250,000 kip.
- 2 Villa Santi, Sakkarine Road. Tel.: 856 71 252 157. Upscale hotel. One still operates the one located far from the city.Price: from US $ 110.
- 3 Villa Santi Resort, Ban Na Duey, Na Duey Road. Most of the rooms are in two-story small houses, with a restaurant, you can live out the decadence of colonial rulers.
Note: All of the following entries are older and may not be up to date.
- Hotel Souvannaphoum, Rue Chao Fa Ngum. Former home of Prince Souvannaphouma, in colonial style.
- Grand Luang Prabang
- Le Parasol blanc, 11 Phouvao Rd.
- La Residence Phou Vao
- Manoluck Hotel, 121/3 Phou Vao street.
In the region
- 4 Lao Spirit Resort, Ban Xieng Lom. Tel.: (0)20-58553133. Jungle resort with colonial style bungalows. A bit out of the way, but with a great backdrop. They speak German, but can't manage to use umlauts on the website.Price: Single bungalow without A / C, NS 100 US $, HS 145 US $.
- 5 Hillside - Nature Lifestyle Lodge. Tel.: 856 20 58777038, Email: [email protected]. 12 km outside of Luang Prabang, surrounded by nature and mountains. German owner. Mountain bikes available. With pool. Allegedly family atmosphere. They also run a “City Residence”, where prices are 30% higher.Price: Low Season: US $ 55-65.
Learn
Several hotels in the upper price range offer cooking and weaving courses. However, word of mouth should be used to check whether a corresponding price / performance ratio is offered.
security
Except for fraudulent taxi drivers, who also like to be aggressive, the visitor shouldn't be exposed to any dangers.
health
The usual wellness / spa / massage offers, including fish nibbling on their feet, are numerous in the tourist area.
Practical advice
There are quite a few small stalls that function as exchange offices and are open until late at night along the “tourist street”. A comparison of the courses offered is worthwhile.
trips
- Rediscovered in 1989 Tomb of Henri Mouhot, the French discoverer of Angkor Wat, is near the village of Ban Phanom.
- 5 Pak Ou caves
- 6 Kuang Si waterfall. Practically every taxi driver or travel agent offers excursions, so you should find out about pricing on site. The Kuang Si waterfall is the most famous and most visited waterfall in Laos (approx. 300 guests per day).
There is also the Tad Thong, a small, simple waterfall with a small hiking trail and the particularly beautiful, somewhat lonely Tad Sae waterfall, which has no road connection yet.
literature
- Berger, Hans Georg; Het bun dai bun: Luang Prabang - rituals of a happy city; Munich 2000; ISBN 3896600788
Web links
- Temple architecture, pictures
- Luang Prabang on the website of the national tourist organization.
