In the beautiful mountains of northern Laos is the charming town of Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang is situated on a small piece of land between the mighty Mekong and the smaller Khan rivers and is World Heritage Listed. UNESCO described the town as "an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions."
A walk up to the top of Phou Si gives you a panoramic view of the area.
A walk up to the top of Phou Si gives you a panoramic view of the area.
The next two photos show Phou Si and the waterfront from a boat on the Mekong
Three monks crossing the junction of the Mekong and the Khan Rivers
The town has become a very popular tourist destination with its mixture of French Colonial buildings and its many, many Wats.
The markets are central to life in Laos. The food is fresh, the smells are strong and it is a place to meet and have a chat. Here is one of the markets just getting going for the day.
The Wats are a different style to those in Thailand. The photos that follow give you a selection of the Wats in Luang Prabang.
Reference:
United Nations. "Town of Luang Prabang." UNESCO/WHC. 1992-2010. 4th December 2010. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/479
The Mekong river is very brown the same as it is in Vietnam and yes the temples are different architecture to Bangkok, more like Vietnam. Great commentary and photos John.
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