Luang Prabang is located to the north of Central Laos on the banks of Mekong River. It is the capital city of Louangphrabang province with a population of about 106,374. Luang Prabang also serves as the capital city for the Kingdom of Laos till the time of communist takeover in the year 1975.
The city was founded in the year 698 AD by Khun Lo. He established an empire here which lasted with 15 rulers. It it is one of the major tourist spots in the world. It is a peaceful city and Buddhism here is seen in every aspect of life.
The places to be seen here are:
Haw Kham
A former royal palace, it is being converted into a theatre and a number of dance shows and local dramas entertain the people here.
Phou Si
A massive hill that offers stunning views of the city, experiencing sunrise and sunset is a highlight of any visit here.
Kaung Si Falls
The Kaung Si Falls are located about 29 km from the Luang Prabang city. It features a multi-stage waterfall and it can be easily reached by boat.
The Alms ceremony
At this ceremony the monks gather rice from the villagers and distribute food items to the locals and tourists. In addition everyone can take part in the festival and can distribute food items to the people on the ceremony.
Night Market
The night market features a number of shops along the streets. These shops sell the Lao crafts and local food at nearby shops is one of the highlights here.
Pak Ou Caves
These Buddhist caves are located to the north of Luang Prabang city and it can be easily accessed by a one hour boat ride.