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Luang Prabang: Strolling Through the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang
Project gen by hotsia
Strolling Luang Prabang, the World Heritage City http://www.hotsia.com > Strolling the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang, Muang Ngoi, Nong Khiao. From Kuang to Muang Ngoi, boat trip on Nong Khiao - Luang Prabang Night Market, Luang Prabang Morning Market, Vichun Nem Nuong Luang Prabang, Joma Coffee Luang Prabang, Phousi Hill: That Chomsi Stupa - Luang Prabang View, Whispers from Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Southern Bus Station, Traveling to Laos, Luang Prabang Songkran Festival, Songkran Morning Alms Giving, Nang Sang Khan Luang Prabang
Songkran Water Pouring Ceremony in Luang Prabang, Afternoon Songkran in Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Songkran Clearance Day, Morning Songkran in Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang 2012 2013, Ban Don Mai Pier, Viewpoint on the Way to Kuang Si Waterfall, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang Bus, Luang Prabang Local Food, Affordable and Good Accommodation in Luang Prabang, Souvenirs from Luang Prabang, Laos Massage, Luang Prabang Morning Market, Local Pho, Nang Noi Pho, Luang Prabang View from Phousi Stupa, Grilled Chicken, Lao Papaya Salad, Kuang Si, Candlelight Procession on Visakha Bucha Day, Backpacking in Luang Prabang
Recommended Hotels in Luang Prabang. Support exciting travel by booking hotels here. After arriving in Luang Prabang yesterday, I went for a walk at the Luang Prabang Night Market and woke up early to eat. I still didn’t see why Luang Prabang is a worthy World Heritage site. It seemed like any other tourist town: lots of tourists, expensive prices, and scorching heat during the day. But a World Heritage city like Luang Prabang must have something special.
Today, I will explore the whole town because according to information, Luang Prabang became a World Heritage city due to its man-made structures that have beautifully preserved its culture. So I decided to walk around areas away from my accommodation, which was inexpensive and not in the best location. I started walking from my lodging towards the Mekong River and then circled around the river.
Returning along the Khan River to the Night Market street, this route is a pleasant walk with good weather. The walking distance is about 3 kilometers (may vary). I wandered through every small alley, all lined with old houses, each beautifully preserved. No modern buildings appeared. Even though locals live in Luang Prabang, they have maintained their wonderful culture well. I once visited Phongsaly where locals live simply, but in Luang Prabang, a tourist city, it seemed impossible—yet it is true.
While strolling, I met locals preparing dinner for a merit-making ceremony and chatted with them. The warm hospitality was similar to Thai and Lao traditions: guests are welcomed on the porch with drinks and friendly conversation. I noticed ongoing construction in Luang Prabang but wondered how old houses were still well preserved. Talking with locals, I learned that since Luang Prabang became a World Heritage city, an international committee works with locals to manage the heritage site.
They strictly control all construction and renovation of houses. The rule is that any repair must replicate the original style exactly, no taller than the original, and use the same materials! No wonder the old charm has been preserved until today. As I walked deeper, I appreciated the value of Luang Prabang as a World Heritage city more and more. I also spoke with the guesthouse owner nearby.
He told me some houses have roofs made of clay, and repairs must use the same clay roofing, which is now rare and expensive. Because of this, these clay roofs remain unchanged. This is the benefit of World Heritage status that makes Luang Prabang so special today. When tired, I rested by getting a manicure and practiced speaking Vietnamese. Following my walking route on the map, near the mouth of the Ou River,
the accommodations are all expensive, and few houses remain. However, the houses are well built and beautiful, indistinguishable from local homes or lodgings. Passing by the mouth of the Khan River, I noticed locals sitting by the roadside or in front of their houses, and some offered mobile manicure services. I saw several people doing nails outdoors. My nails were quite long, so I decided to try it. Then a woman on a bicycle carrying manicure tools passed by.
I called her over for the service. After a tiring walk, I took a break to get my nails done. It turned out she didn’t speak Thai, spoke a little Lao, but was fluent in Vietnamese. After trying to communicate, I learned she was a Vietnamese living in Luang Prabang. So I practiced some Vietnamese with her, which will help when I visit Vietnam. If you’re tired from walking in Luang Prabang, take a break and get your nails done, friends.
If you want to try, feel free. After the manicure, I learned a few Vietnamese phrases: Xin chào = Hello, Cảm ơn = Thank you, Xin lỗi = Sorry, Ăn cơm = Eat rice. That’s all I got. Here’s the souvenir I bought: the bamboo bridge crossing the Khan River in Luang Prabang. Near the junction to the Night Market street, this is another viewpoint of the Khan River besides Phousi Hill. There is a bamboo bridge where you can watch kids jump into the water.
A few years ago, there was a fee to cross this bridge, but now it’s free. Taking photos and enjoying the Khan River view here is lovely. At this spot, I met a young seller of souvenirs who was so friendly that I ended up buying from her. I also recorded a clip to share :) From here, I almost completed the walking loop around Luang Prabang. I walked towards the Night Market street where people started gathering, shops began setting up, and I enjoyed a refreshing smoothie from a nearby stall before heading back to my accommodation exhausted. On the way back, I was invited to eat sukiyaki.
I didn’t refuse and sat down to eat. Actually, I wanted to chat more and gather information about Luang Prabang to share. My evening was spent exploring the town and reviewing clips for YouTube. Luang Prabang truly deserves its World Heritage status because they preserve their town so well. If you visit Luang Prabang, please take time to stroll and appreciate the city. Kindly avoid doing just two things and then returning to Thailand: almsgiving and walking the Night Market... Mr.Hotsia, May 2010
mr.hotsia recommends hotels in Luang Prabang. Here is a walking map of the World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. It’s best to stroll in the evening when the weather is pleasant, greeting locals and tourists along the way. Luang Prabang girls sell smoothies at the Night Market in the evening. Luang Prabang is a tourist city known as the City of Smiles, not expensive, much like Siam, the Land of Smiles. These are items respected by Luang Prabang locals. If tired, take a break and get a manicure: 10 fingers for 10,000 kip or 40 baht.
