Luang Prapang: An overview - Part 1

The beguiling ancient royal city of South East Asia, nestled between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, is a confluence of French and Asian culture.

Why Lao’s jungle-clad jewel go crouches at the convergence of two rivers and is often the highlight of South East Asian grand tour. Perhaps it’s the pace of the old city, which when compared with neighbours Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City, is positively soporific, or the friendliness of its people, who rather chat than take your money. Currency at Luang Prapang is the Lao Kip. The country was a French territory between 1887 and 1954 and the legacy can be seen in everything from the abundance of boulangerie to the red-tiled roof of Lang Xang Avenue.

Hire a bike and cycle past the peninsula’s colonial houses, sugar palms and narrow backstreets, taking in its 33 gleaming Buddhist temples (wats), where apprentice mons dressed in saffron robes and keen to engage with tourists. Kuang Si falls a 30-minute ride by tuk-tuk, provides an idyllic setting to cool off in turquoise cascades before visiting the Asiatic Black Bear sanctuary, where bears rescued from bile farms now lead a much happier existence.

Elephant treks are popular, however, we recommend only using Elephant village who avoid the use of a heavy howdah. In the evening, make your way to the magical night market on Sisavangvong Road, where you can buy anything from home-made paper lanterns to shawls, silverware and woodcarvings.

A visit to Luang Prapang is not complete without a spa treatment, the best of which can be found at Mekong Spa at La Residence Phou Vao.
On the peninsula facing the Khan the Apsara hotel delights with its Indochine design and light infused rooms with wood floors, glass Buddha statue and silk screens a nice choice for staying. Another idea is Satri house, a confection of dark wood furniture and four poster-clad rooms set in manicured gardens. Among the larger hotels there is Amantaka, based in a former French government building, exudes old-world charm and has spacious minimalist rooms, many with private plunge pools. Sofitel Luang Prapang is set within the walls of a former French governor residence, with stunning rooms are gun-grey with high ceilings and private gardens.

At sunset head to the riverside, where Khem Kong bar is great to take in views over the Mekong River with fishermen returning home. A local beerlao in hand is a great to enjoy the sunset!