Filled with gold-plated Buddhist temples, old colonial homes, and the smell of frangipani, a visit to Luang Prabang is a little like stepping into a time machine back to old Indochina. Set in Laos's northern mountains, at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, the city reflects an intricate blend of French, Chinese and Vietnamese influences, and was in recent years named a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, which called it "the best-preserved city in Asia." Travel to Luang Prabang, and you won't find a city totally lost in time, though: You can even (respectfully) participate in some of the everyday sacred traditions.
Things Not to Miss in Luang Prabang
Our Luang Prabang travel guide will help make the most of your visit to this tranquil city. Some of the most popular activities for tourists include:
• Swimming in the turquoise blue pools of Kuang Si Falls
• Taking in Laos’ Buddhist culture at the Golden City Temple
• Visiting the Luang Prabang Night Market to buy handmade local crafts
• Enjoying a relaxing massage at one of the many spas in the city
When to Visit Luang Prabang
In Luang Prabang, the seasons run counter to typical tourist cycles. The prime time for Luang Prabang travel is during the dry season, from October to April, when the weather is otherwise cool. Don't mind a few daily showers? Then go ahead and visit Luang Prabang during its rainy season, from May to September. You'l likely only see rain for a couple hours a day - and in return, get the benefit of lower hotel rates and smaller crowds.
-
The Friendliest Cities in the World
"The locals showed us so much about their amazing culture, and welcomed us with open arms," remarked one traveler about a trip to Auckland, ... Read More
-
56 Wonderful Places to Honeymoon Right Now
Ask any couple in the throes of wedding planning and they will most likely tell you the thing they’re looking forward to the most (an eternity of... Read More
-
Best Romantic Summer Getaways
Imagine sipping Argentina’s finest wines with the snowcapped Andes in the distance, sailing the fjords of Finland while the midnight sun shines down, or... Read More
-
The Food Lover's Guide to Luang Prabang
Standing in the open-air pergola of his lagoon-side cooking school, Joy Ngeuambopha begins the day’s lesson. “Lao cooking is about balance of flavors... Read More
-
The Best Countries for Solo Travelers
There are many travelers who claim that traveling alone is the best way to see the world. You deliberately travel solo, they say, because you want to... Read More
-
July Vacation Deals
Washington, D.C.: 34% off Jeffersonian TourWhere's Tommy package includes:• 2 nights in a king room at the Jefferson, a Beaux-Arts gem near the White... Read More
-
Daily Transporter: Laos
Luang Prabang’s daily alms offering—a silent procession of monks accepting food from alms-givers—was nearly cancelled because of some disrespectful... Read More
-
World's Best Hotels 2013
Picture a cypress-lined road in Tuscany. Now picture yourself arriving at a 10th-century former castle on more than 4,000 acres of rolling hills.... Read More
-
World's Best Service 2012
Top 10 Hotels Overall: City1. Park Hyatt, Milan 98.952. Stafford London by Kempinski 98.403. Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Budapest 98.074.... Read More
-
World's Top Hotels
Miles of hiking trails in Big Sky Country? Check. Outdoor spa treatments? Check! Montana may be the Wild West, but it stakes a claim to one of the world... Read More
-
World's Best Hotels: Asia
See the full results of the World’s Best Awards. Read More
-
Battambang: Is Cambodia’s Second City on the Verge?
Withthe government aiming to fix Cambodia’sdilapidated railway system by 2013, Battambang, the country’s second biggestcity, is poised to become the... Read More
-
The Joy of Getting Lost
My Other LeftI have always gotten lost. My geographic survival instincts are low. I stare at things for way too long with my mouth hanging open,... Read More
-
Editor’s Note | February 2010
Recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time with people in the travel world, first at the Pure Life Experiences show in Marrakesh and then at ILTM, the... Read More
