A Guide to Luang Prabang
(Laos) – A Sustainable Destination in Southeast Asia
I was selected to participate in the
Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Workshop on Eco &
Sustainable Tourism in Luang Prabang, Laos from 4 - 8 March 2019. About 50
delegates between the ages of 20 and 35 with various backgrounds from the 10
ASEAN member countries and Timor Leste participated in the week-long workshop
held at Le Bel Air Resort. When I received an email that I got selected for
this workshop, I was pretty stoked to finally get to visit this little
landlocked country, my 8th in Southeast Asia!
Throughout the workshop, I learnt from
experts the fundamental principles of eco and sustainable tourism and its
relationship to green, community issues and Sustainable Development Goals.
Topics included the tourism environment, community-based tourism,
eco-initiative, responsible tourism and environmental justice and forest
protection.
The workshop also provided the
opportunity for participants to develop our own real-world social-enterprise
pitches and included visits to the Kuang Si Waterfall as well as the Mekong
River. The workshop was sponsored by the US Department of State and funded
through a cooperative agreement from the US Embassy in Vientiane to The Asia
Foundation for the administration of the workshop.
I loved my time spent in Luang Prabang, Laos,
pretty much from the day I arrived on 3 March. I stayed there for 8 days and
left reluctantly because it’s about time for me to return home to my family.
This UNESCO World Heritage town is a charming city filled with over 33 temples,
vibrant nightlife, stunning nature. It has so much character, temples, night
market, Mekong, delightful people and so much to see and do. The highlight for
me was a trip out to the Kuang Si Waterfall and the alms giving ceremony.
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| Take a dip in the turquoise waters of the Kuang Si Waterfall |
Check out my personal list of best eco-tourism experiences in Luang
Prabang that I would highly recommend:
1. Visit and take a bath
at Kuang Si Waterfall
I
had heard about the Kuang Si Waterfall many years ago and finally I made it
there in the nick of time during the workshop. The Kuang Si Waterfalls is about
45mins drive outside the town and one of my favourite things about Laos
overall.The waterfall is the most popular tourist attraction in Luang Prabang.
The falls are truly beautiful. The
waterfall itself is lovely, with brilliant teal water and many little pools.
Check out the photos below.
**Tips:
Start your journey early and head to the bridge at the top first thing
first.You can book your Kuang Si tour package via Klook
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| Take a dip in the turquoise waters of the Kuang Si Waterfall |
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| Take a dip in the turquoise waters of the Kuang Si Waterfall |
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| Most popular tourist attractions in Luang Prabang |
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| Most popular tourist attractions in Luang Prabang |
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| Breathtaking cascades of water |
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| Breathtaking cascades of water |
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| Perfect to take pictures |
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| Natural pool |
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| One for the album |
2.
Visit the Temples in
Luang Prabang
There
are plenty of attractions in Luang Prabang. There are 34 active temples in the
city, and all of them are beautifully gilded which gives Luang Prabang a deep
spiritual feel. If you have limited time in Luang Prabang, then Wat Xieng Thong is your best option.
First built in 1560 by King Setthathirat, this was the temple where Laotian
kings were coronated and considered one of the most important landmarks in Laos
for its historical significance and a masterpiece of Laotian religious
architecture. Other temples I visited were: the Royal Temple and Museum and Wat
Mai. Some other temples that you should visit include: Wat Sene and Wat Nong.
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| Wat Xieng Thong - Luang Prabang's most significant temple |
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| One for the album |
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| Luang Prabang's most significant temple |
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| I really like the mosaic artwork on the walls of Wat Xieng Thong |
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| I really like the mosaic artwork on the walls of Wat Xieng Thong |
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| The golden temple inside Wat Xieng Thong |
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| Beautiful piece of history |
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| The Royal Palace |
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| The temple at the Royal Palace |
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| One for the album |
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| Wat Nong |
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| Wat Nong |
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| Luang Prabang was a loose collection of wooden houses centred around gold-roofed temples |
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| Life as a monk |
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| The richness of Luang Prabang architecture reflects the mix of styles |
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| The richness of Luang Prabang architecture reflects the mix of styles |
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| The richness of Luang Prabang architecture reflects the mix of styles |
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| Wat Nong |
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| Luang Prabang was a loose collection of wooden houses centred around gold-roofed temples |
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| Luang Prabang was a loose collection of wooden houses centred around gold-roofed temples |
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| That Makmo |
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| The richness of Luang Prabang architecture reflects the mix of styles |
3.
Kuang Si Free the
Bears
The
Kuang Si Free the Bears Park is only a minutes’ walk before you reach the
waterfall (it is a protected area) there is a rescue centre for the Asiatic
Black Bears (Moon Bears). The bears are beautiful and are varied ages. There
are 23 in all including one Malayan sun bear rescued from a bile farm. They
have all been rescued from bile farms, illegal poaching and wildlife trade.
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| It made me want to be a bear |
4.
Experience Baci
Ceremony with the Locals
Another
religious ceremony I participated was called Baci, a blessing ceremony that is
often used as a welcome – ours took place at the resort. Baci is a ceremony
used to celebrate special occasions and events in the Lao culture and has been
practiced for hundreds of years. White string is tied around your wrist which
represents tying the 32 Lao protective spirits to the body to bring good luck
and prosperity.
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| Baci Ceremony is one of the most important ceremony in Laos |
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| Baci Ceremony is one of the most important ceremony in Laos |
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| Baci Ceremony is used to celebrate important events |
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| The Baci Ceremony is an important ceremony in Laos |
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| The ceremony involves tying a white string around your wrist |
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| Baci Ceremony is one of the most important ceremony in Laos |
5.
Visit Tad Sae Waterfall
On
the second last day of our trip, I had the opportunity to visit Tad Sae
Waterfall. The falls are only accessible by boat. From the hotel, the journey
took us about 40 minutes on the road and 5 - 10minutes by boat. The journey was
very bumpy, but didn't bother me. The
river boat ride to the falls was quite fun for me. To my dismay, what I saw was
just a terrace of rocks and a drop of water due to its dry season.
**Tips:
Remember to check out the seasons for when it is best to visit.
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| The river boat ride was a fun experience |
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| The river boat ride was a fun experience |
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| To my dismay, what I saw was just a terrace of rocks in Tad Sae |
6.
Climb Mt. Phousi
Mt.
Phousi is located near to the old quarter. On the first day itself, I hiked up
Mount Phousi for epic views over the Old Quarter, Mekong River and surrounding
mountains. The walk was steep but short, and is doable for anyone with a reasonable
level of fitness and no mobility issues (due to the number of stairs). Indeed a
mesmerizing sight to behold especially at sunrise or sunset.
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| Walk to the top for Phousi stunning views |
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| Walk to the top for stunning views |
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| The tallest point of Luang Prabang |
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| The tallest point of Luang Prabang |
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| Highest point at Mount Phousi |
7.
Visit Luang Prabang
Day & Night Market and Phousi Market
The
morning market at Kitsalat Road runs for most of the day, though morning 5.00am
– 9.00am is probably the most bustling time to visit as the fresh produce is on
sale. This market gives you a look at local life and it’s the best place to try
some local food. Also, remember to check out the night market in Luang Prabang
which happens every evening in from 4.00pm – 10.00pm. There were beautiful
paintings, purses, table runners, bags and so many other things I wanted to buy
and finally I settled for lovely scarfs for myself and my mum.
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| The Luang Prabang night market |
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| Things you see in the market |
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| Things you see in the market |
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| The Luang Prabang food market |
8.
Experience Alms Giving
Ceremony
Laos is a very
staunchly Buddhist nation, and one practice worth witnessing is the Buddhist alms giving ceremony or Tak Bat.
I had the opportunity to experience this almsgiving ceremony with the help from
a local friend, Lee from Luang Prabang. From this ceremony, we learnt the ins
and outs of this procession after which you will line up together with all
other devotees giving out food to the monks walking past outside of our resort.
In Laos, it is part of
the culture that all males spend a portion of their life as a monk who live
with no financial income and have to rely on the general population to survive.
The alms giving in Luang Prabang happens every morning at sunrise where long
lines of locals gift the monks with food (mainly rice) and is an important part
of the local culture. Do not miss out the Tak Bat Ceremony in Luang Prabang. Experience the sacred and humbling Buddhist tradition of alms giving ceremony by booking in advance with Klook
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| The Tak Bat is a must to see, but handle with respect and care |
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| The Tak Bat is a must to see, but handle with respect and care |
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| One for the album: My Tak Bat Experience |
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| One for the album: My Tak Bat Experience |
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| The early morning monk's walk |
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| The Tak Bat is a must to see, but handle with respect and care |
9.
Walk Across the
Bamboo Bridge
After the rainy season each year a
bamboo bridge is constructed over the Nam Kahn River which then has to be
removed before the start of the rainy season again. I saw 2 bridges in action
while I was in Luang Prabang, and crossed one of them. The bridge is actually very strong and has a
little toll booth where you pay a very small token (2,000 Kip) to cross (which goes
directly to support the Lao family that builds the bridge).
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| Remember to catch this scenic bamboo bridge at Nam Khan River |
10.
Biking in Luang
Prabang
Like most of Laos, Luang Prabang is a
great spot for exploring on your wheels. As well as the Old Quarter, we loved
cycling around the residential area on the outskirts of the old town and the east
side of Nam Khan River.
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| The old bridge, used only by bikes. Built over a century ago by the French |
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| Just walk and get lost |
Other Activities to
do in Luang Prabang:
- Visit
Mandalao Elephant Conservation
- Explore
Pak Ou Caves
- Ride
on a boat tour along the Mekong River
- Try
the rice-farming hands-on experience
- Visit
Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Center Social Enterprise for local handicrafts
- Visit Kuang Si Butterfly Park
- Visit Laos Buffalo Dairy
- Explore Green Jungle Park
- Visit Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center
- Drop by Pottery House Lao Food and Ma Te Sai
- For more complete local sightseeing and experiences in Luang Prabang, check out Klook website
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| Long wooden boat down the Mekong River |
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| The local ferry that use to transport public and cars |
You can’t miss Luang
Prabang. This place has all the
ingredients to become my new favourite
destination in Southeast Asia. Will definitely come back again!
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| There's really so much to do in Luang Prabang |
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| This place has all the ingredients to become my favourite destination |
Air Itinerary Details:
Penang (PEN) – Bangkok
– Luang Prabang - Bangkok - Penang (PEN) via Thai Smile Airways and Lao
Aviation Airline
From To Date Dep
Arr
Penang Intl. Airport Suvarnabhumi Int'l
Airport 3 Mar 2019 08:00 08:45
Suvarnabhumi Int'l
Airport Luang Prabang Airport 3 Mar 2019
10:20 12:20
Luang Prabang Airport
Suvarnabhumi Int'l Airport 10 Mar 2019 11:20 12:55
Suvarnabhumi Int'l
Airport Penang Intl. Airport 10
Mar 2019 04:10 06:55
Return ticket
airfare/person: USD760.96/person (Economy Class)
Accommodation(s):
LUANG PRABANG
Le Bel Air Resort (3 – 9 March 2019)
Address: 1 Old
Bridge, Ban Muang Nga, Nam Khan River, Luang Prabang, Laos
Tel: +856 71 254 699
Room price: MYR500/1
night for 2 adults via www.agoda.com
Room type: Garnier
Garden or River View Room with Balcony
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| Le Bel Air Resort, Luang Prabang |
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| Le Bel Air Resort, Luang Prabang |
Airbnb Café Toui Homestay (9-10 March
2019)
Host: Café Toui
Homestay Room 7
Address: Sakkaline
Road Wat Siphoutthabat, Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province, Laos
Room type: Private
room in bed and breakfast
Room price: MYR206.93
Insider Tips:
- It is normal in Lao culture to take your shoes off
- Please show respect and dress appropriately
- If you use local transport around town (tuk tuk) short distances should be no more than 10,000 kip per person
- The Lao word for hello is Sabaidee
- Monks are revered and respected in Laos
- The country accepts these currency: USD, Kip and Thai Baht
Note: All entrance /
transportation fees and accommodation rates/charges listed on this post are
based on our (chengywong.blogspot.com) travel dates (2019) and therefore
subject to change(s). ©chengywong.blogspot.com is not responsible for content
on external web sites.
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