A highlight of any trip to Laos, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang is characterised by more than 30 gilded temples and its fine setting at the junction of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
A UNESCO-listed former royal capital packed with dazzling temples and French colonial charm – the perfect place to watch a day glide by from the terrace of a riverside bar or fine French restaurant.
Daily at dawn, saffron-clad monks pad barefoot through the streets while pious townsfolk place tiny balls of sticky rice in their begging bowls – a quiet ceremony through which monks demonstrate their poverty and humility.
For the finest city views, pick a path up Mount Phousi, the 100-metre-tall hill that dominates the old city centre, crowned by a giant gilded stupa.
Be sure to take a boat trip up the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves, two famous grottos cut into the limestone above the river, crammed with Buddha images of various styles and sizes.
Also not to be missed are the Kuang Si waterfalls, a series of cascades that tumble into limpid, opal-blue pools that are popular for swimming.
More of a town than a city, Luang Prabang is easily accessible on foot or by bicycle, and the sight of saffron-robed monks wandering barefoot each dawn through the quiet, cobbled streets collecting alms from the locals provides a magical sense of Indochina’s storied past.
The city is home to one of South-East Asia’s most authentic night markets, where local hill tribes come to sell their weavings and handmade silver jewellery. Enjoy gorgeous views from the top of Mount Phousi or head beyond the city limits where the Kuang Si waterfalls, Pak Ou caves and the dramatic gorges of the Ou River all compete for your attention. The city is also a stop on several luxury river cruises plying the Mekong on their way to or from the Laos capital of Vientiane.
3 Nagas features teak interiors and handcrafted finishes that give the property its distinctive charm. Set by the Nam Khan River, it’s a peaceful base near Luang Prabang’s markets, temples and riverfront.
Enter a peaceful world of wellbeing in Laos’s spiritual capital, Luang Prabang, where over a thousand saffron-robed Buddhist monks make their way through the streets at sunrise and where the majestic Amantaka resort awaits you at the foot of sacred Mount Phousi. The picturesque white-walled buildings with green shutters pay architectural homage to the region’s French-Colonial past and are home to an exclusive number of suites. Enter your own serenely luxurious suite where inside you will uncover high-ceilings, spacious living areas leading onto tranquil terraces and in many cases, a private pool.
Set amid mountains and a riverside jungle landscape, Rosewood Luang Prabang channels French-Lao heritage in a stunning, secluded setting inspired by local architecture.
Among the hills outside Luang Prabang, La Résidence Phou Vao showcases French heritage and historic Lao style in a character-filled setting that feels wonderfully unique.