Without a doubt one of our favourite places in the world is peaceful, laid back Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage city on the banks of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. We think it's the most beautiful city destination in South East Asia, although it feels more like a small town, and is a world away from bustling metropolises like Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Ho Chi Ming City.
Situated in North Central Laos, about 425km north of Vientiane, Luang Prabang offers a stunning mix of beautiful temples, gorgeous French colonial architecture, fantastic fusion food and some fascinating markets. There are also some great bars and an increasingly upmarket restaurant scene. Make sure you have plenty of room left on your camera's memory stick when you visit - it's an incredibly photogenic place.
We think the best way of giving you an idea of what you can do in this fabulous city is to give you a run down of what we'd do if we had 24 hours to play with in Laos's jewel in the crown - Luang Prabang.
Morning
Head to L'Etranger for a fantastic breakfast and some great local teas and coffees. Pick up something to read from the wonderful downstairs book shop, or flick through one of the myriad National Geographic magazines that line the walls upstairs where you'll eat. This top cafe/bookshop also shows art movies at night.
Having sated your hunger temporarily, head out to explore some of the city's many cultural jewels. We recommend a visit to golden, ornate Wat Xieng Thong (a wat is a temple, and Luang Prabang has over one hundred of them) and then to the fascinating Royal Palace Museum. We also love pretty Wat Xieng Maen.
One of the great things about the city is that you are constantly surrounded by delicious and tempting snacks, so when you're all templed out, why not stop at one of the outdoor riverside cafe/restaurants that line Th Khem Khong and enjoy a drink and a snack while you watch life on the Mekong slide gently past. This is the perfect opportunity for you to hail one of the many boatmen who ply their trade on the river(s) - they hire out their boats for trips up and down the Mekong, so take an hour-long cruise and enjoy the tranquility (boat ride costs around US$3-5).
One of the great things about the city is that you are constantly surrounded by delicious and tempting snacks, so when you're all templed out, why not stop at one of the outdoor riverside cafe/restaurants that line Th Khem Khong and enjoy a drink and a snack while you watch life on the Mekong slide gently past. This is the perfect opportunity for you to hail one of the many boatmen who ply their trade on the river(s) - they hire out their boats for trips up and down the Mekong, so take an hour-long cruise and enjoy the tranquility (boat ride costs around US$3-5).
Afternoon
Return to Th Sisvangvong (the city's main tourist thoroughfare) and eat lunch at one of the many great restaurants there. We'd recommend Yongkhoune Restaurant for excellent people-watching and decent food. With all that fodder in your belly it's time to work some calories off. There are a number of local travel agents to be found on Sisvangthong who can arrange activities for you , but we'd recommend White Elephant. They arranged a brilliant trip for us mountain biking, swimming in the stunning Tad Sae waterfalls, riding elephants and kayaking back into town. A range of other trips are on offer, from forest trekking to overnight village stays and trips out to the Kuang Si waterfalls (equally beautiful). Return to your accommodation for a well earned shower and eat out for your evening's entertainment.
Evening
The perfect start for an evening in Luang Prabang is watching sunset on Phu Si hill. It takes a rather sweaty 15-20 minutes to hike up to the top (expect crowds!) but the view is well worth it - see the picture below if you don't believe us!
Once you've witnessed one of the greatest sunsets in South East Asia and made your way down from Phu Si, you will have definitely earned a drink. We recommend a bit of a splurge, so head to Pack Luck wine bar on Th Sisavangvong for a delicious glass of wine while you watch the world go by. Although Luang Prabang has a tremendous range of restaurants offering dishes from around the world, we recommend a trip to the night market to indulge in some delicious street food. As well as selling some great crafts and clothes from throughout the region, we think that the best thing about the market is the sheer range of delicious (and plain weird!) dishes on offer, from grilled meats to noodle dishes, fried insects on sticks, curries, soups, fried rices and filled baguettes. All for ludicrously cheap prices and perfect to wash down with a few wonderful Beer Lao.
After filling your stomach, no doubt you'll be ready for a few drinks, so we recommend heading to Lao Lao Garden on Th Kingkitsarat (see this blog entry for a run down on the bar's delights) to get your groove on in their fantastic bonfire filled garden. Be aware that all bars in Luang Prabang close at midnight, so if you're not ready to call it a night then take a trip to the bowling alley (yes, really) for late night carousing! It's the best (and only) late night venue in town.
So there you have it, a great and fun-packed day in this jewel of a town. Pay it a visit and prepare to leave your worries and stresses behind.
Practical Stuff
Country: Laos
Currency: Kip (though US Dollars and Thai Baht are also widely accepted)
Accommodation: The best area for budget digs is on the streets off Th Phommatha near Phu Si - ask for the Merry Guesthouse and there are lots of options around.
Budget: $10-20 on a shoestring, $24-50 on a mid range budget with a few drinks and excursions thrown in.
Next destination: from Luang Prabang you can head south to Vang Vieng (a drunken Disneyland for backpackers) and then on to Vientiane (the country's sleepy capital) or head West over the border to Chiang Mai in Thailand (by boat or plane).
To read the funtotravel.info guide to Laos, click here.
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