Luang Prabang

A UNESCO World Heritage old town reachable directly by the China–Laos Railway, with dawn alms-giving, Kuang Si Falls and Mekong sunsets. French-colonial houses and golden temples make it the quintessential slow-travel destination in Southeast Asia.

Luang Prabang sits on a peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers in northern Laos, at an elevation of about 300 meters. It was once the capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom and the Kingdom of Luang Prabang. In 1995 the entire old town was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is Southeast Asia's best-preserved town blending temples with French colonial architecture. The main sights are all on the peninsula: the north–south main street, Sisavangvong Road, links the Royal Palace Museum, Wat Mai, the entrance to Mount Phousi and the night market. Wat Xieng Thong sits at the tip of the peninsula, with sunset bars on the Mekong bank on one side and the bamboo bridge on the Nam Khan bank on the other. Kuang Si Falls are 30 km southwest of town, and the Pak Ou Caves are 25 km upstream on the Mekong to the north. The climate has three seasons: the cool season from November to February is sunny and dry, with mornings and evenings around 15°C. It is the best time to visit and also the peak season for Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year. March to May is burning season, with heavy smoke haze and temperatures above 35°C, and is not recommended. June to October is rainy season, when the waterfalls are at their fullest but showers are frequent. Getting there: the China–Laos Railway runs directly from Kunming South Station via the Mohan border crossing to Luang Prabang Station in about 9–10 hours (the station is about 10 km east of town; the shuttle costs about 30,000 kip per person). You can also take the high-speed train from Vientiane in 2 hours. Luang Prabang International Airport, 4 km from town, has flights to Kunming, Chengdu, Bangkok, Hanoi and more. Recommended stay: 3 days. Day 1: old-town temples, sunset at Mount Phousi and the night market; Day 2: Kuang Si Falls and a Mekong sunset cruise; Day 3: dawn alms-giving and a boat trip to the Pak Ou Caves. Tips: most temples in the old town are free but require long pants or long skirts and covered shoulders. For the dawn alms-giving, kneel or sit by the roadside, don't use flash, and don't stand directly in front of the monks to take photos; it's best to buy the sticky rice offering at a local market rather than from street vendors. The Lao kip comes in very large denominations; most shops in the old town accept WeChat/Alipay QR payments, or Chinese yuan and Thai baht. The peninsula is safe for walking at night, but streetlights are sparse, so carry a flashlight.

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