Laos - Luang Prabang
Laos Information
Population: 5.8 million (UN, 2006)
Capital: Vientiane
Major Languages: Lao, French (for diplomatic purposes)
Currency: Kip
Major Religion: Buddhism
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The ‘city’ is the ancient kingdom of the ‘Land of a Million Elephants
and the White Parasol’ and its collection of 32 wonderfully preserved temples
have rightly earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the mid-14th century, the first kingdom of Laos was established here at the confluence
of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, before the royal household moved south to the
present day capital of Vientiane almost 100 years later. With this departure, Luang
Prabang became a prized target for invaders from across Asia and the region was
subsequently subjected to many invasions. The city was eventually burned to the
ground in the late 19th century before being rebuilt by the French. Despite all
this, two Indochina wars and a civil war, Luang Prabang has managed to survive to
become one of the jewels of South-East Asia.
Luang Prabang's Wats
The former royal capital of Luang Prabang has seen the construction of no less than
66 temples in its lifetime and after numerous wars, 32 are left standing today.
The most impressive of these is considered to be Wat Xieng, built in the classic
Luang Prabang style of architecture with low drooping roofs and incredible naga
carvings. An ancient Buddha statue has reclined in one of the chapels since the
temple was first built in the mid-16th century (in fact it has left once, for an
exhibition in Paris). Also notable is the mosaic of a ‘tree of life’
in the chapel, etched on a red-coloured wall. Wat Wisunalat, Wat Aham, Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham,
Wat That Luang, Wat Manolom, Wat Xieng Muan; the list of temples that have survived
the city’s overwhelming battles is impressive. Many are not original, many
have been destroyed and rebuilt or restored but all are living monuments to history.
'don’t miss out on the . Thousands of years ago people travelled from Luang Prabang
to the site of two mysterious caves to worship the spirit of the Mekong River. Today,
Pak Ou, the site of the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers, is where Buddhists
still come to pray and worship the thousands of Buddha statues that have accumulated
over the centuries and become known as the Buddha Caves. The trip also gives you
the chance to make a journey on the mighty Mekong River!'
Recommended Luang Prabang Hotels