Luang Prabang
Ancient royal city
This city, one of the most beautiful in Asia, has become a must-see if you travel to Laos.
Luang Prabang is of course the name of the city but also of the province which extends to the Vietnamese border. It is a region of the North of the country and with mountains covered with jungle and dotted with villages. Luang Prabang, the city, is located in an exceptional setting on a peninsula at the mouth of the Mekong and its tributary the Nam Khan river. It is overlooked by Mount Phousi which sits in the center. The city is opening up more and more to tourism, and has an international airport.
Luang Prabang is a city steeped in history and spirituality. It was the royal capital of the Kingdom of the Million Elephants (Lan Xang) from the 14th century to 1946. Then it adopted colonial architecture under the French presence.
Discover Luang Prabang by this video made by the Luang Prabang tourism office
High place of Buddhism
The city also embodies one of the strong symbols of Buddhism in Asia.
Its spiritual and mystical atmosphere is maintained by the monks that we meet at any time or by the daily ceremonies such as alms to monks being practiced every morning.
At sunrise, the monks walk in saffron long lines in the still cool city, the alms bowl in their hands. Kneeling in front of their house, the inhabitants give them offerings "tak bat" especially food.
