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Luang Prabang is located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Kham rivers in Laos. Its current population is around 56,000. Formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name, it was the royal capital of the Kingdom of Laos until 1975. In 1995 the central part of the city was listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site. I arrived at dusk after a two day boat journey along the Mekong which commenced in Chiang Khong, Thailand. Found a good cheap confortable roon along the river front. |
At dawn, every day, monks come from nearby monasteries to receive alms. They file pass in a single line and people place alms into their bowl. It is not considered proper to hand alms directly to monks. As it is their only source of food, food is often given.
Boys often join monesteries at a young age hoping to get education.
Vendors are present. Some are trying to sell alms to tourists to give to the monks. This is discouraged because it is felt that giving alms if you are not a Buddhist debases the practice.
One of the reasons for Luang Prabang's UNESCO listing is its many Buddhist Wats.
Wat Xiengthong is arguebly the most famous Wat in Luang Prabang. As I have published a dedicated page I will not be dwell on it here.
There are several wats along Sisavangvong Road from Wat Xiengthong to Haw Pha Bang. It is not my intention to describe them all here, but to display images from some of them.
Haw Pha Bang is an ornate Buddhist temple located in the Royal Palace grounds. Relatively new, building started in 1963 and was suspended in 1975. Building recommenced in 1995.
It was built in traditional Loation style to house an ancient golden Buddha statue called Pra bang. Unfortunely during my visit the Wat was closed.
Another resaon for Luang Prabang's UNESCO listing is its French style architecture. Most were built between 1893 and 1907. Not only did they import from Europe but also included styles developed in Vietnam.
The country around Luang Prabang is lush and mountainous. It is the reason King Setthathirath, builder of Wat Xiengthong, move the political capital from Luang Prabang to Vietiane, not enough flat land.
A short distance outside of Luang Prabang the Kuang Si Waterfall can be visited on a day trip.
Every night a part of Sisavangvong Rd, Luang Prabang's main road, is closed and a night market is set up. Goods are set out on mats and illumination is provided by stick mounted globes. Vendors, mainly young women, sell handicrafts, jewellery, clothes, food and drinks.
With the closure of the market, around 11PM, Luang Prabang goes to sleep.
Of course the quickest way is to fly. Another option is to take the bus from Vientiane. Howerver for me, if time is available, the best way is the various boat trips from Vientiane or Thailand.