You'll never forget Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is in the heart of Laos, nestled between the countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and China. It’s a beautiful and timeless glimpse into the past and present of Laos. If you’re planning a trip to east Asia, make a point to include this special city.
WHY YOU SHOULD ADD LUANG PRABANG TO YOUR ITINERARY
Luang Prabang is a beautifully lush city in Northern Laos. This historic city sits on a peninsula at the convergence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. It has been the capital of kingdoms, both ancient and modern. Luang Prabang province has a population of nearly half a million people and is comprised of eight ethnic groups. The hill tribes of the Khmu and the Hmong make up the majority at nearly 45% and 16%, respectively. The remainder are comprised of lowland Lao.
Luang Prabang holds relevance both politically and historically. From 1893 until 1946 it was the royal and religious capital of Laos. Religious architecture and the historical residence of royalty and nobles are plentiful, providing fascinating insight to those interested in exploring a blend of traditional Lao and colonial design.
Temperatures can range from 81F (21 celsius) degrees in December to 95F (35 celsius) in April. The rainy season is May through August. Because of Luang Prabang’s setting, it is beautiful year round, but locals suggest coming in September, October or November after the rainy season when the landscape is at its lushest.
WHO SHOULD GO?
Anyone interested in architecture will find Luang Prabang fascinating. The city is famous for its architecture, particularly its unique blend of traditional Lao buildings and colonial French structures. Numerous architecturally significant buildings remain, including the residences of nobles and royalty, and structures constructed for religious uses. The town is incredibly well preserved even after twelve centuries. Prime examples include Wat Wisunarat, the oldest Budhist temple in the city, which was built in 1513 and now serves as the Museum of Religious Arts. There are caves, parks, and other historic sites that will keep you enchanted.
HOW TO GET HERE
In the not-so-distant-past, a road trip from Vientiane, at the Thailand border, to Luang Prabang would take eight hours. The recent completion of a highspeed rail makes the trip only two hours but offers the same beautiful views of landscapes and villages along the way.
WHY YOU SHOULD STAY WITH US
We offer two comfortable and well-appointed options for your stay. Villa Sayada and the IQ Inn are both just steps from the peninsula. The guest house managers can help guests figure out where to go to book tours, hire tuktuks, or rent motorbikes. There is a manager on site 24/7 and they have printed maps and can direct the local tourist sites like temples, the old presidential palace, the night market and morning market.
When deciding between the two, Villa Sayada offers more luxury. The rooms are nice and spacious, and one even has a bathtub, which is unheard of in Asia. The IQ Inn has a mix of regular rooms and hostel-style bunks where backpackers can book a bed rather than reserve a private room.
WHY YOU SHOULD ADD LUANG PRABANG TO YOUR ITINERARY
Luang Prabang is a beautifully lush city in Northern Laos. This historic city sits on a peninsula at the convergence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. It has been the capital of kingdoms, both ancient and modern. Luang Prabang province has a population of nearly half a million people and is comprised of eight ethnic groups. The hill tribes of the Khmu and the Hmong make up the majority at nearly 45% and 16%, respectively. The remainder are comprised of lowland Lao.
Luang Prabang holds relevance both politically and historically. From 1893 until 1946 it was the royal and religious capital of Laos. Religious architecture and the historical residence of royalty and nobles are plentiful, providing fascinating insight to those interested in exploring a blend of traditional Lao and colonial design.
Temperatures can range from 81F (21 celsius) degrees in December to 95F (35 celsius) in April. The rainy season is May through August. Because of Luang Prabang’s setting, it is beautiful year round, but locals suggest coming in September, October or November after the rainy season when the landscape is at its lushest.
WHO SHOULD GO?
Anyone interested in architecture will find Luang Prabang fascinating. The city is famous for its architecture, particularly its unique blend of traditional Lao buildings and colonial French structures. Numerous architecturally significant buildings remain, including the residences of nobles and royalty, and structures constructed for religious uses. The town is incredibly well preserved even after twelve centuries. Prime examples include Wat Wisunarat, the oldest Budhist temple in the city, which was built in 1513 and now serves as the Museum of Religious Arts. There are caves, parks, and other historic sites that will keep you enchanted.
HOW TO GET HERE
In the not-so-distant-past, a road trip from Vientiane, at the Thailand border, to Luang Prabang would take eight hours. The recent completion of a highspeed rail makes the trip only two hours but offers the same beautiful views of landscapes and villages along the way.
WHY YOU SHOULD STAY WITH US
We offer two comfortable and well-appointed options for your stay. Villa Sayada and the IQ Inn are both just steps from the peninsula. The guest house managers can help guests figure out where to go to book tours, hire tuktuks, or rent motorbikes. There is a manager on site 24/7 and they have printed maps and can direct the local tourist sites like temples, the old presidential palace, the night market and morning market.
When deciding between the two, Villa Sayada offers more luxury. The rooms are nice and spacious, and one even has a bathtub, which is unheard of in Asia. The IQ Inn has a mix of regular rooms and hostel-style bunks where backpackers can book a bed rather than reserve a private room.
STAYING WITH US HELPS INDIGENOUS KHMU ARTISANS IN LAOS
We work with in partnership with the nonprofit JungleVine Foundation, sharing indigenous Khmu handicraft bags with the world. Find more information at www.naturebag.org. Nature Bags are handmade for everyday use, including unique lines of reusable shopping bags, purses, diaper bags, produce bags, and more. They are one of the planet's only genuine zero-waste, Earth-friendly, carbon-neutral reusable bags. Each bag is homemade by indigenous Khmu artisans in remote villages in northern Laos. They are constructed using fiber from a vine that grows without cultivation, irrigation, or chemicals. These sustainable, plastic-free, cotton-free bags are truly the most eco-friendly bags on Earth.
JungleVine® Foundation is a 509(a)(2) nonprofit public charity. EIN 46-4237069