Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

In the north of Laos, Luang Prabang is located in the heart of a mountainous region. The town was built on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Mountain ranges surround the city in verdant greenery. It is made up of 58 neighboring villages, 33 of which make up the UNESCO Town Of Luang Prabang World Heritage Site. It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1995 for its unique and "remarkably" well-conserved architecture, religious and cultural heritage, which is a combination of centuries of rural and urban development, including French colonial impacts in the 19th and 20th centuries. From the 14th century to the 16th century, the town known as Muang Sua, then Xieng Thong, was the capital of the powerful kingdom of Lane Xang, with its wealth and influence linked to its strategic location on the Silk Road. The town was also the Buddhist center of the region. It takes its name from the Buddha statue, Prabang, which was donated by Cambodia. The city center is made up of four main roads and is famous for its many Buddhist temples and monasteries. A major landmark in the city is Mount Phou Si, a large, steep hill that is 150 meters high despite the city's small size. A staircase leading up to the Wat Chom Si shrine offers views of the city and rivers. Both natural and historical attractions abound in Luang Prabang. Natural tourist sites include Kuang Si Waterfall, Tat Sae Waterfall and Pak Ou Caves. The Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum and Wat Xieng Thong Temple are some of the most famous historical sites.