Luang Prabang, the historic cultural capital of Laos offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience Laos in it's most traditional form. Listed as a Unesco heritage site due to it's architectural and cultural preservation; Luang Prabang is not to be missed. Holding firm to it's traditional values it impressively has the most accommodating tourist infrastructure in the country, there for it is a bit of backpacker paradise and rates well on my World Travel Scale from 1-5.
Travel Score= 4.5
Affordability= 4
Food= 4
Culture = 5
Safety = 5
Hotel Value= 4.5
Activities = 3.5
Transportation = 4.5
Luang Prabang like all the destinations in Laos is a great value. Between accommodation expense and eating out you can stay under twenty dollars per person per day quite easily. Once you start adding in tourist activities, massages, drinking, and spending on souvenirs, things could potentially get a little pricey. For a long term traveler like myself this town made a great home-base to live cheaply, eat well, and Steemit!
Accommodations are a very good value here and the best deal I found was at the Somjith Guest House in a prime area a half a block from the river. The price was 12 dollars non-negotiable. It included a flat screen TV, AC, hot shower, wifi, daily room cleaning, complimentary bananas, tea, and coffee. It was cozy and cute with a very friendly staff. I spent a lot of time on the balcony eating bananas and drinking coffee while I Steemed it!
Compared to my previous two destinations in Laos, Vientiane and Vang Vieng the quality and variety of food, markets, and restaurants was a notch higher. Being the number one overall tourist destination in the country they had some impressive high end restaurants. Some places looked very nice for couples to spend a romantic evening eating high end food at low end western prices. There was even a German bakery with some impressive looking breads in the window.
Luang Prabang also had a great night market where for a $1.75 you could fill a bowl with anything you see in the photo below. This was a popular place for the backpacker crowd to congregate, share a meal, and share their travel stories. I found an Indian restaurant with good authentic north eastern Indian cuisine at great prices too. The variety and quality of food options in Luang Prabang was impressive. Many of the finer restaurants offered traditional Lao cooking classes as well.
Of all my years of travel Luang Prabang is probably the most culturally rich, authentic, and traditional place I have ever been. Keeping to the strict traditional Buddhist customs while being so accommodating to travelers like myself is an unusual and impressive combination. They have actually made their culture, architecture, and way of life a natural tourist attraction that the visitor finds themselves immersed in. Here is a photo of the daily morning Alms Ceremony where the monks of the town collect their one meal of the day from the community itself.
The number one activity in this town is just being here and taking in the culture and way of life. For the more active traveler a 45 minute tuk-tuk ride will take you to a beautiful waterfall or the same distance in another direction you can visit an ancient cave filled with rare artifacts. One can also cross the Makong River and explore the hiking trails. I found the highlight being the incredible morning market two blocks from my hotel which begins just before sun rise. This market is like taking a step back in time; showcasing things you probably have never seen before.
Safety is generally nothing to worry about here. This is not a party place, in fact everything closes down before midnight. There is a mix of older tourists, Korean tourists, vacationing couples, as well as the younger party going backpacker. The locals are Buddhist and of a very high moral standard who generally wouldn't even think of steeling, doing drugs, or committing crimes. The activities here are mostly based in observation so no need to worry about any risky thrill seeking endeavors either.
Getting around Luang Prabang is simple and easy. It's not a very big place. The population is just under 60,000. You can walk all over town without the need of a taxi or tuk-tuk. Getting to the airport or other destinations just outside of town will cost you less than 5 dollars.
Many visitors arrive by plane especially since Air Asia has opened a rout from Bangkok to Luang Prabang for as little as $35 one way. If you are entering the country for the first time, you will have to pay about $30 for a one month "visa on arrival" and be prepared with two passport size photos. If you're not flying many come from the nearest popular destination of Vang Vieng. It costs about ten dollars and is four hours south by mini van. It's best to travel early in the morning when the driver is fresh. Incidences have happened where the driver has fallen asleep during the overnight ride ending in death and tragedy.
Overall Luang Prabang is a must see for anyone who appreciates unique traditional cultural experiences combined with quality food and accommodation for little money. For the younger party going backpacker Vang Vieng will probably be your place to let loose and have fun! For the more sophisticated traveler who appreciates fine food and a rich culture you will not be disappointed with Luang Prabang!
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