Attractions

Wat Xieng Thong is a Buddhist temple, also known as the 'monastery of the golden city'. The temple was built in 1559 by the Lao King Setthathirath. Until 1975 the temple was a royal temple for the royal family. It was here the Lao kings were crowned. This temple is the most historically and famous of Luang Prabang’s many temples. The temple presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful glass montage on the rear temple wall. All this make this temple to a must see attraction when you visit Luang Prabang. Visitors who would like to enter the temple must be aware that shoulders and legs have to be covered. Visitors may hire a traditional sarong to cover up if they need to.

This three tier waterfall, also known as; Tat Luang Si, is located 29km south of Luang Prabang, and is one of the major local attractions requiring a visit.  The view of the falls is absolutely amazing.  When you come to the entry you'll walk through a forest area before you come to the falls.  At the base, there are several pools of turquoise water and small cascades 3-5 metres high.  Most of the pools are available for swimming (2 are considered to be sacred and do not allow bathing), aside from being a place of great beauty and a photographers dream, it's extremely popular for both locals and tourists alike in particular during the hot season months.  After a swim, there are many restaurants to enjoy.  Another highlight to most who visit is the butterfly park enclosure and the bear sanctuary run by international group "Free the Bears"

Luang Prabang, a declared Unesco World Heritage Site is located in the north centre of Laos at the convergence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers, approximately 420km north of Vientiane.  The city was formerly the capital of a royal kingdom and the capital of the same name.

Prior to the communist takeover in 1975, it was known by the ancient name of Chiang Thong and held the seat of government for the Kingdom of Laos. In 1995, it was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is commonly referred to as "the best preserved city in Asia".  The city is well known for its abundance of Buddhist temples and monasteries.  One of the major charms of Luang Prabang is to witness the hundreds of monks from the various monasteries walk the streets in procession every morning, collecting alms offered by the local residents. (Please be respectful if you choose to partake in this and ask at the hotel for the best way to ensure this).

A city that offers an abundance of both natural and historical sights, it's a truly unique and special place to find yourself admiring the sunset over the banks of the Mekong in a setting and ambiance where time stands still.

Set up each evening from 5pm to 10pm beginning at War Mai and running along Sisavangvong Road all the way to the town centre, you will find an amazing array of locally made handicrafts, specialty tea and coffee and all the "essentials" of t-shirts, clothing and local souvenirs.  The street is closed to vehicles each evening and make-shift market stalls are set up, lining both sides of the road wiht an aisle in the centre.  Many of the various hill tribes and ethnic groups also display and sell a variety of scarves and handicrafts.  Be sure to bring your bargaining skills as many of the prices can be more expensive than can be found in some retail shops during the day.  Bargaining should be fun and not an aggressive exercise.