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Located in the southeast of Laos as a peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan River, Luang Prabang is usually considered as one of the most promising destinations to global tourists.
UNESCO once declared Luang Prabang a World Heritage Site for its remarkably well- preserved values of history, culture and architecture in 1995. This ancient city exists the blended harmony of Eastern and Western traditional quintessence.
Luang Prabang is famous for its natural and architectural sites which symbolize the cultural and historical values. If you desire to immerse yourself in the spectacular beauty of nature, then the Kuang Si Falls, Tat Sae Waterfalls, and Pak Ou Caves must be ideal choices. Visitors can have a chance to explore breath-taking cascades as natural pools and local habitation in the jungles or understand the spirit of Buddha through dramatic signs and statues carved on the limestone cliffs.
Close to the bank of the Nam Khan River, the Elephant Village Sanctuary offers tourists a journey of the impressive riding in one of the most well- persevered elephant conservation area.
Also, Mount Phou Si rising 150 meters above the center of the city provides the overview of this city including the river system and is a popular position to watch the stunning sun setting over the Mekong River.
Regarding best well- known historical sites in Luang Prabang, it must name The Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum and the Wat Xieng Thong temple where you can learn more about Laos historic and cultural identity through the fascinating exhibition, chapels and religious statues that Laotians have been trying to preserve.
Another place that each visitor must access once in a lifetime is night market of this charming city. Close to Royal Place Museum, night market opens from daily 5p.m-11p.m and displays a variety of items including handicrafts, art, textiles, and jewelry.
If you want to explore Luang Prabang specialties then you should definitely try local coffee, purple sticky rice with slices of fresh fruit restaurants or night market onSakkaline Road.
If you are curious about whiskey with special local flavor, then you should never miss Ban Xang Hai Village which is close to Pak Ou Caves.
If you go to Luang Prabang, you may have a chance to enjoy its specialities such as sai oua, also known as Luang Prabang sausage, made from fatty pork, chilli, garlic and lots of herbs.
Another dish is Orlam. Orlam is a spicy, peppery meat curry made from ingredients you would find in the wilderness: cloud ear mushrooms, bitter greens, pea eggplant and pepperwood. Water buffalo is usually used, with pork as a substitute.
If you prefer salad, Luang Prabang has its own salad which is an East-meets-West fusion dish born from French colonial days. This leafy creation has a creamy dressing, cucumber, and hard-boiled eggs, as well as local touches like watercress, peanuts, mint and crispy fried shallots.
Last but not least, don't ever miss Kaipen which is flash fried and accompanied with jeow bong, a smokey chili dip with small pieces of buffalo skin.
Like many other tropical monsoon Asian countries, Luang Prabang's climate as a part of Laos system’s consists of two distinct divisions: the dry season (October to late April) and the wet one (May to late September).
The dry season is divided into two halves, with the former months (December and January) being the coldest. Temperatures at these time can be around 17°C and decrease much more at nights and in the early morning, whilst April and May is the hottest period with the index up to 31°C.
During the wet season (May to October), heavy rainfall ranges from short periods, most commonly at night or in the early morning, to more prolonged periods in August and September.
Therefore, the best time to visit Luang Prabang is from November to January. It is also the high season when most people visit Laos in general and Luang Prabang in particular.
