What
to See
Although
there is an abundance of things to see and do in and around
Luang Prabang, the following are some of the more popular
attractions.
Wat
Xiengthong
King
Sai Setthathirath constructed this beautiful temple, situated
at the junction of the Mekong and Khan rivers, in the
mid-16th century. By far the most beautiful of the Luang
Prabang temples, Wat Xiengthong is an excellent example
of traditional Laotian architectural style, and contains
a wide variety of religious artifacts from the 16th
through 20th centuries.
Wat
Visoun
This
temple was built by King Visounarat in the early 16th
century, and was twice home to the religious symbol of
the kingdom, the prabang, from 1504-1715, and from 1866-1874.
In addition, Wat Visoun houses the That Makmo, a giant
stupa from the 16th century.
The
National Museum
Constructed
during the reign of King Sisawangwong in the early 20th
century, this building originally served as the royal
palace. Among other things, this museum contains the Royal
throne of the Lan Xang kingdom, and is located on the
scenic bank of the Mekong River.
Kuang
Si Waterfall
This
spectacular waterfall, set deep in the forest, is one
of the most picturesque locations in or around Luang Prabang.
Set 18 miles south of Luang Prabang, Kuang Si is a must
for nature lovers, and offers a great place to relax.
Pak
Ou Caves
The
Pak Ou Caves are located upstream from Luang Prabang,
and can be reached by a two-hour boat ride. Apart from
their natural beauty, these caves are home to dozens of
Buddha images from different time periods.
Currency
The
Lao currency is the kip, which is usually exchanged at the
rate of about 7,700/1 US dollar. Thai baht and US dollars
are also accepted in many places.
Accommodation
Accommodation
is readily available nearly anywhere in Laos. In the cities
of Vientiane and Luang Prabang there is a wide range of facilities,
from the basic guesthouse to a good, international standard
hotel. Hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang are more expensive,
however, and could cost up to US $60.00 per night.
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