LUANG
PRABANG “THE WORLD HERITAGE CITY”
 Luang
Prabang Province Luang Prabang is the ancient capital city of
the Lan Xang Kingdom. According to the Luang Prabang legend, the
first name of Luang Parabang was Muang Swa, named after King Khun
Xua around the eighth century, later known as Xieng Dong and Xieng
Thong. During the reign of King Fa Ngum between 1354 and 1372
A.D., Xieng Dong, and Xieng Thong cities were renamed Luang Prabang
in the name of the gold image of Buddha, the Phrabang. Luang
Prabang was the capital of the Lane xang kingdom from 1354 A.D.
The capital was then transfered to Vientiane city in 1560 A.D.
Luang Prabang is rich in cultural heritage, known as the seat
of Lao culture, with monasteries, monuments traditional costumes
and surrounded by many types of nature's beauty. Luang Prabang
province has a total population of 365000.
National
Museum
The National
Museum, formerly the Royal Palace. Constructed as a palace
between 1904 and 1909 A.D., during the reign of King
Sisavangvong, now turned into a National Museum, it houses the Royal
throne of Lan Xang kingdom in its original splendor, and many other
regalia and religious treasures. It is located on the bank
of the Mekong River, facing Mount Phusi.
Wat
Mai
constructed in 1821 A.D., during the reign of king
Manthatourath, was once the residence of Phra Sangkharaj (the
Patriach of the Buddhist
clergy). The five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim is the traditional
Luang Prabang style. It was built in a typical style of
Lanexang Kingdom and was purely in Lao’s architectural design.
During Pimai Lao, the Prabang (a Buddha statue) is put on display.
Traditionally, the Laotian people pour water with perfume and
flowers over the Prabang to symbolize the purification of soul
Wat
Xieng Thong
Situated
on the bank of the Mekong River, on the wedge of land formed where
the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers meet, Vat Xiengthong was constructed
in 1559/1560 A.D. by king Say Setthathirath. Vat Xiengthong is
the most beautiful among all monasteris of Luang Prabang and represents
the typical Lao art style. It houses many old and beautiful
religious artifacts of the period between the sixteenth and the
twentieth centuries, and some ancient masterpieces of Lao art
which makes up the valuable collection of cultural heritage.
Wat Xieng Thong is the masterpiece of Buddhist architecture with
its golden facades and colorful murals. This temple was used to
organize the highest Royal Ceremony and houses the funeral vehicle
of the former king.
Tham
Ting (Pak Ou Holy Caves)
It
is one of the most attractive sites in Luang Prabang. Tham Ting
“mostly known as Pak Ou Cave” is an overhanging cave on the cliff
that could be seen from the boat on the Mekong River. The cave
is like a sanctuary which houses countless number of Buddha Statues.
Since the past, it is the tradition that the Laotian people visiting
the cave will leave a Buddha Statue as an aspect of reverence,
so the number of the statues increases from year to year.
Pak Ou Cave can be accessible only by boat along the Mekong River.
You can visit one of the local villages to see how the Laotian
people produce Laos Liquor (Fermented rice liquor).
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