LUANG PRABANG PROVINCE OVERVIEW |
| Geography |
Demographics |
Telephone |
Location:Northern
Area: 16,875 km2
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Population: 408,800
Density: 24/ km2
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Calling code |
| Town and Districts |
| Luang Prabang, Xieng Ngeun, Nan, Pak Ou, Nambak, Ngoi, Pakxeng, Phonxay, Chomphet, Viengkham and Phounkhone |
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| General Information
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Luang Prabang sits on a narrow finger of land formed by the confluence of the Khan River with the much larger Mekong. The old city, where most of the sights are, is just 300 meters wide and about one kilometer long. One road follows the rivers completely around the city. The town's main road, which goes by many names, but which we call Sisavong Vang Road in this guide, runs down the 'spine' of the finger. Another small lane parallels Sisavong Vang and runs from the Royal Palace Museum up to the back of Wat Xieng Thong. Small brick paved footpaths lead off the main road towards the rivers on either side.
The city's main sights are at either end of the old town. Near the tip of the peninsula is the royal temple of Wat Xieng Thong. At the base of the thumb are Phu Si hill and the Royal Palace Museum. In between are numerous other temples and some former royal residences. You can walk the whole way around town in just one day, but its quite easy to spend several days criss-crossing the city to see everything. |
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History
The exact founding date of the city is rather fuzzy. The area may have been settled as long as 2,000 years ago. What is known is that the city became the capital of a small Lao principality sometime in the thirteenth century. A hundred years later, in the mid fourteenth century, it became a kingdom in its own right.
'Lan Xang Hom Khao' - the land of a million elephants and the white parasol
- as it was called, was founded by Fa Ngum, whose family went on to rule Laos for six centuries.
Originally, the city was called Xieng Thong, but early in the sixteenth century the king accepted the revered Bang Buddha image from the Khmer royal family. Later on in the Sixteenth century, at about the same time that the administrative capital was moved to Vientiane, the city was renamed Luang Prabang
The French first arrived in Luang Prabang in 1867. Later that same century, the Haw from southern China sacked the town and practically burned it to the ground. This is the event that essentially forced the Lao to accept French protection. The French rebuilt the town, and managed to stay for a hundred years before the Pathet Lao ended both French rule and the monarchy. |
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LUANG PRABANG PROVINCE PEOPLE |
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GETTING IN - OUT
LUANG PRABANG PROVINCE |
* Plane: The airport is just north of town and has scheduled flights from/to Vientiane, Hanoi, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Siem Reap
* Car: The highway 13 connects Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng and Vientiane in the south and via Highway 1 to the north. Highway 13 is sealed and in good shape all the way to Vientiane. There were some shootings along this road (between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang) some years ago, including one incident in which two foreign cyclists died in crossfire, but at the moment it appears to be safe.
* Bus: There are three bus stations, each a little bit out of town, who serve different directions. Tickets can be bought at every travel agent in town for a little surcharge, or at the bus station, or when boarding the bus.
The air-conditioned so-called VIP bus costs 70k Kip to Vang Vieng and 80k Kip to Vientiane, more if booked through an agent (2006 February). Note that the VIP bus has poor suspension, is crowded and sometimes breaks down. Nevertheless, it's still better than the public bus. Also the road is winding and mountainous, and the driver typically of the ying (break) and yang (accelerator) school of driving, considering the middle way to use both the break and the accelerator simultaneously.
The bus ride to Muang Xay (Oudomxai) is done by public minibus only. Big backpacks are carried on the roof. Price for the ride is about 40 kiloKip and it lasts 5 hours on normal conditions. From there you can catch the bus to Luang Namtha, which takes about the same amount of time and money. No need to have a reservation usually, just take care to go early in order to secure a good seat.
* Boat: The boats ply the Mekong to and from Huay Xai at the Thai border, stopping in Pakbeng where you can connect with bus and truck heading towards the north-east and the border with China. Slow boats leave several days a week, usually around 08:00. Expect to spend the night in Pakbeng if you're taking a slow boat (the safest option), or to arrive in Huay Xai deaf, shaken and either exhausted or exhilarated from three hours in a speedboat.
To travel on the speedboat (a light canoe with a very powerful engine), a crash helmet and life-jacket are usually provided. The pilot requires a good knowledge of the river, particularly in the dry season, as there are many rapids and rocks. One tall Danish guy found that he could not squeeze up into the position for the ride.
The slow-boat is absolutely packed with tourists - so much so that there are not enough seats to go round. It can be quite uncomfortable, but if there are two of you on your bench, it can be worth one of you taking the whole bench and the other sitting in the aisle for a while, then swapping. More than likely, you'll both be happier in the end. Make sure to bring a book or travel game to while away the hours and swap with other travellers. It costs about 85k Kip to Pak Beng, more if booked through an agent.
Long distance ferries to Vientiane stopped running when Highway 13 was sealed a few years ago, but it may be possible to do the trip by private tourist boat when the water levels are high enough. Read more about fast and slow boats in the section about Laos.
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GETTING AROUND
LUANG PRABANG PROVINCE |
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This ideal way to wander around town is by a bicycle. These are availble for rental for $1-3 per day, depending on the dealer and whether or not you get it through your hostel (usually cheaper). Luang Prabang is a pretty compact place, but with a bike you'll be able to cover more ground and make to some of the lovely hills and temples outside the center. |
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LUANG PRABANG PROVINCE RESOURCES |
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TRAVEL TIPS |
Climate
Luang Prabang's northerly location gives it more pronounced seasons that other Southeast Asian destinations, although the climate is still decidedly tropical. As in Thailand to the south, there is a cool and dry season from November to March, which is the best time to visit. The monsoon begins in April, and peaks in August. Luang Prabang has a greater temperature range than more southerly cities. Nights can be very cold from December to February, while days in March and April can be extremely hot, before the rains arrive.
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LUANG PRABANG PROVINCE ECONOMY |
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