Luang Prabang

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Luang Prabang
Panorama of Luang Prabang
Panorama of Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is located in Laos
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang
Location in Laos
Country  Laos
Admin. division Louangphrabang Province
 • Total 50,000
Time zone UTC+07:00
UNESCO World Heritage Site
City of Luang Prabang
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List
Luang Prabang pano Wikimedia Commons.jpg
Type Cultural
Criteria ii, iv, v
Reference 479
UNESCO region Asia
Inscription history
Inscription 1995 (19th Session)

Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang (Lao: ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ, literally: "Royal Buddha Image (in the Dispelling Fear mudra)," pronounced [lǔaŋ pʰra.bàːŋ]), is a city in north central Laos, at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers about 300 km north of Vientiane. It is the capital of Luang Prabang Province. The population of the city is about 50,000.[1]









Market in Luang Prabang pre-1901

In 1707, Lan Xang fell apart because of a dynastic struggle and Luang Prabang became the capital of the independent Kingdom of Luang Phrabang. When France annexed Laos, the French recognised Luang Prabang as the royal residence of Laos. Eventually, the ruler of Luang Prabang became synonymous with the figurehead of Laos. When Laos achieved independence, the king of Luang Prabang, Sisavang Vong, became the head of state of the Kingdom of Laos.

World War II[edit]

Statue of Sisavang Vong, King of Luang Phrabang 1904-46, King of Laos 1946-59

The town was the scene of many events during and in the aftermath of World War II and it was occupied by several foreign countries during the war (Vichy France, Thailand, Imperial Japan, Free France, and Nationalist China). Initially the Vichy French controlled the city but lost it to the fascist Thai government following the Franco-Thai War of 1940-1941. On 9 March 1945, a nationalist group declared Laos once more independent, with Luang Prabang as its capital but on 7 April 1945 two battalions of Japanese troops occupied the city.[3] The Japanese attempted to force Sisavang Vong (the King of Luang Phrabang) to declare Laotian independence but on 8 April he instead simply declared an end to Lao's status as a French protectorate. The King then secretely sent Prince Kindavong to represent Laos to the Allied forces and Sisavang Vatthana as representative to the Japanese.[3] Following Japan's surrender to the Allies Free French forces were sent to reoccupy Laos and entered Luang Prabang on 25 August, at which time the King assured the French that Laos remained a French colonial protectorate.[3] In September the Chinese Nationalist forces arrived to receive the surrender of the remaining Japanese forces but also quickly set about buying up the Laotian opium crop.[3]

Laotian Civil War era[edit]

Damage caused by a communist ground attack on Luang Prabang airfield, 1967

In April and May 1946 the French attempted to recapture Laos by using paratroops to retake Vientiane and Luang Prabang and drive Phetsarath and the Lao Issara ministers out of Laos and into Thailand and Vietnam. During the First Indochina War the Viet Minh and Pathet Lao forces attempted to capture the city several times in 1953 and 1954 but were stopped before they could reach it by French forces.[4] During the Laotian Civil War of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, a secret American airbase was located at Luang Prabang[citation needed] and it was the scene of fighting. Luang Prabang remained the royal capital until 1975, when the Pathet Lao communist forces seized power with North Vietnamese support and dissolved the ancient monarchy.

Monarchs of Luang Prabang[edit]

Buddhist Temple at Haw Kham (Royal Palace) complex
  • Khun Lo, warlord who founded the city
  • Fa Ngum, prince of Luang Prabang who founded Lan Xang
  • Oun Kham, king who ruled under the French


Kuang Si waterfalls, near Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang has both natural and historical sites. Among the natural tourism sites are the Kuang Si Falls, Tat Sae Waterfalls, and Pak Ou Caves. Elephant riding is offered at some sites. Phou Si, in the center of the town, has broad views of the town and river systems, and is a popular place to watch the sun setting over the Mekong River. At the end of the main street of Luang Prabang is a night market where stalls sell shirts, bracelets, and other souvenirs. The Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum and the Wat Xieng Thong temple are among the best known historical sites. The town, particularly the main street, is dotted with many smaller wats such as Wat Hosian Voravihane. Every morning at sunrise, monks walk in a procession through the streets accepting alms offered by local residents, an event popular with tourists but subject to some controversy surrounding tourist etiquette.[5][6] Mountain biking is quite common, with people often biking around the town or to the waterfalls for the day. Down the Mekong River, a 15-minute boat ride from town center, Ban Chan (the pottery village [7]) is an interesting place.[8]


O-lam, the most popular dish in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang has a rich artistic and culinary history and the city's cooks were hired by the king.[citation needed] Typical local dishes include: O-lam (Or lam, the favorite dish of Luang Prabang locals), Luang Prabang sausage, mokpa (steamed fish), Mekong River moss (served fried) with its chilli sauce (cheo bong).[9]


New terminal, Luang Prabang International Airport, Apr 2014



The road from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang is poorly maintained, remote, unlit, unmarked and dangerous for the unfamiliar, particularly in the wet season. Buses regularly travel the route in 14–16 hours.[10]

Route 13 from Vientiane, passing Vang Vieng, to Luang Prabang is paved, though the surface is in poor condition at places. It is also relatively narrow, with sharp curves. There are no markings or lighting on the road. Since 2014, a new road connects Kasi (close to Vang Vieng) to Luang Prabang in around 3 hours (compared to 5 hours via Route 13). Several daily buses run from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, taking 11–13 hours.[10]

The Mekong River itself is also an important transportation link. At Chiang Khong it is possible to hire a barge to cross the river. A trip from Huay Xai, across from Thailand, downstream to Luang Prabang takes two days by slow boat, typically with a stop at Pakbeng.

If coming from Vietnam, sleeper buses can be caught from Hanoi to either Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng.



Climate data for Luang Prabang
Average high °C (°F) 27.4
Daily mean °C (°F) 19.1
Average low °C (°F) 14.2
Average precipitation mm (inches) 15.2
Average relative humidity (%) 82 77 74 76 81 85 87 89 87 86 84 85 82.8
Source: NOAA (1961-1990) [11]

Sister cities[edit]

See also[edit]


View from Phou Si


  1. ^
  2. ^ chiang-tong
  3. ^ a b c d Savada, Andrea Matles (editor) (1994) "Events in 1945" A Country Study: Laos Federal Research Division, Library of Congress
  4. ^ At War in the Shadow of Vietnam: U.S. Military Aid to the Royal Lao Government, 1955 – 1975. pp. 9–10. 
  5. ^ [2] Luang Prabang Tourism information on respecting the alms giving ceremony
  6. ^ Dos and don'ts in Laos
  7. ^ Ban Chan, the pottery village
  8. ^ San Francisco Bay Guardian
  9. ^ Gastronomy in Luang Prabang
  10. ^ a b Luang Prabang., retrieved 15 Feb 2011
  11. ^ "Luangphabang Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 11 Jan 2013. 

External links[edit]
