Laos - Luang Prabang

Another long slow mini van trip via Muang Phu Khun saw us reach our final destination on the banks of the mighty Mekong River in Luang Prabang. Most of the tourist part of LP is on a peninsula between the Nam Khan River and the Mekong.

The confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers

Being the dry season when we were here, the rivers were quite low. The locals make use of the fertile banks of both rivers and hope that the next monsoon brings a fresh supply of silt to re nourish their gardens. Flood lines can be seen on some of the exposed rocks lining parts of the Nam Khan - at least 5m higher than at present.

Many riverside cafes line the banks of both rivers.

There are around 60 Buddhist wats in Luang Prabang. I have a few shots here of one of the larger ones in the centre of town by the river to give you and idea.

Wat Xieng Thong



Restoration in progress

Gilding (thin gold foil) being applied

Even though lots of gilding is being applied, the gold is very thing - an once goes a long way. Intricate designs are cut from paper and used as stencils.

Rear of the main temple with the Tree of  Life

The mosaic is made up of glass

Gilded door next to the Tree of Life

Inside the main temple at Wat Xieng Thong

Inside the main temple at Wat Xieng Thong

Gong used for the call to prayer

Royal Funerary Carriage House.

In the Royal Funerary Carriage house is the 39 foot long gilded chariot that transported the remains of King Sisavang Vong to his cremation.  Quite an impressive vehicle.

4 passenger tuk tuk

The Jumbo tuk tuk seats 6

The taxi tuk tuk

There are plenty of tuk tuks in both Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Price is by negotiation and is usually around half the asking price. It's a game play the drivers play with visitors but once a price is agreed, the open air ride is most enjoyable if hard. The taxi tuk tuks are the only ones allowed to the waterfalls and airport.

A good day trip was arranged by hiring a tuk-tuk to go out to some nearby waterfalls. The first set of falls called Tat Sae had no water as it was the dry season. We knew this but thought we could go elephant riding. However the queue had a 3 hour wait.

The Tat Kuang Si Waterfalls are very popular and they provide many different pools, ideal to cool off in the heat of the summer.

Tat Kuang Si Waterfalls

Tat Kuang Si Waterfalls

Tat Kuang Si Waterfalls



Tat Kuang Si Waterfalls

On the way to the falls one passes a refuge for the Asiatic Black bear. Unfortunately these animals have been hunted almost to extinction for their bile. Some have been rescued but there is little hope of release back to the wild due to poaching and shrinking habitat.

Asiatic Black bear

We were almost "wat'ed out" but the National Museum complex containing the former royal palace constructed by the French for King Sisavang Vong (1904-59) is worth a visit. The actual former royal residence is nothing spectacular but the wat inside the main gate is rather striking. The monarchy was overthrown by the communists in 1975 and the complex converted into a museum.

Wat Ho Pha Bang

Wat Ho Pha Bang dragons line steps to the side

Another day we explored the villages over the river. I have no idea of their names but there is a separate blog for this.

After a week in Luang Prabang it was time to leave and head off back to the winter in Nanjing via another stop in Vientiane.