M E KO N G R I V E R
LUA N G P R A B A N G, L AO S
LUA N G P R A B A N G, L AO S S U N D AY A N D M O N D AY, M A R C H 1 4 A N D 1 5
Our next stop is Luang Prabang, a laid-back, leafy mountain town set at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. The architecture here is a fusion of stately French colonial buildings and traditional wooden Buddhist temples—a unique urban fabric that has earned Luang Prabang World Heritage status. Discover the Royal Palace, erected in the early 20th century for King Sisavangvong and now home to the golden Phra Bang Buddha statue— the landmark that gave the city its name. Step into some of the city’s most important temples, including the ornate, gilded Wat Xieng Thong and the 16th-century Wat Visounnarath—the oldest temple in Luang Prabang. If you wish, glide along the Mekong to the cliff-side caves of Pak Ou, harboring thousands of Buddha statues in all shapes, sizes, and materials. During our time here, we’ll also have the opportunity to witness a morning almsgiving, the daily tradition in which monks emerge from their temples to the sound of drums and walk the streets to receive food donations from the city residents. If you wish, gain insight into Laos’ rich heritage at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, exhibiting handicrafts, clothing, musical instruments, and other cultural expressions of the country’s many ethnic groups. In the evenings, stroll the city’s palmy plazas and boulevards, and test your bargaining skills at the night market, where residents of nearby hill tribes sell everything from jewelry and vibrant textiles to spring rolls and French-inspired crepes. You’ll also have the option for a daytime market visit with a local chef, followed by a Laotian cooking class. Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao or Amantaka Hotel
NIGHT MARKET
LUA N G P R A B A N G, L AO S
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