Luang Prabang Culture
Luang Prabang is located in northern Laos and is crossed by the wide and winding Mekong River. As a small city, it was once the capital of the Lancang Kingdom, which flourished in the 14th century in the Central South Peninsula, and gradually became a French colony in the late 19th century. In the turbulent 20th century, Luang Prabang survived the fires of World War II and the Vietnam War.
Luang Prabang is a city of gleaming Hinayana Buddhist monasteries and colourful French colonial architecture, where different traditions and cultural styles live in magical harmony in this small, pleasantly climatic city. In 1995, Luang Prabang was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its entire town, thanks to its intact and unique urban layout and old-world appearance.
A number of ancient Buddhist monasteries are an important part of Luang Prabang's World Heritage Site, the most notable of which is the Wat Xieng Thong.
History
Luang Prabang was once the capital of the Kingdom of Lancang. Between 1945 and 1975, the Kingdom of Laos made Vientiane its capital and Luang Prabang remained the royal capital. in the 21st century, Luang Prabang became a beautiful little city with a fantastic cultural heritage.
Luang Prabang's history dates back more than 2,000 years to when it was the royal capital of Laos, and after the king moved the capital to Vientiane in 1560, it remains the second largest city and the center of Buddhist culture in Laos. The long history of Luang Prabang has resulted in the preservation of numerous ancient buildings and temple complexes, as well as the traditional habits of the Lao people. There are many thousand-year-old pagodas, and the Ancient Town of Luang Prabang was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. In accordance with UNESCO's requirements, Luang Prabang has been preserved as much as possible in its original form, with its whitewashed temples and quaint homes, as well as the flowers and greenery that fill all the streets.
Folk Custom
Sisavangvong Road/Foreigners’ Street
The old and romantic street is full of Lao flavor, with temples, houses, hotels and stores, and French flavor as many of the buildings were built during the French colonial period. There are many homestays in this area, so you can pick one at random and enjoy the quiet world of temples during the day and walk around the night market on the street. There are many restaurants and coffee bars facing the river on the street, and there are also many cost-effective French restaurants.
Whisky Village
A quiet village on the way to Pak Ou Caves, here you can taste Lao-lao, a famous Lao homemade wine made from glutinous rice. There are also many kinds of home-made wine with local characteristics, and you might as well buy some if it is good. You can also see many Lao-style looms making handlooms for sale, including scarves, tapestries, tablecloths, etc.
Elephant Village
The entire ride through the forest on an elephant takes about an hour and a half. Each elephant is led by an elephant handler, while people sit on a double seat placed on the back of the elephant. The experience of riding on the elephant across the river is quite exciting and well worth trying, as well as a good opportunity to touch the elephant up close.
Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre
A museum, consisting of three rooms, showcases the culture of the hill tribes of northern Laos, with videos and lots of reading material, especially for those who want to go trekking in the north. The museum also has a small coffee house where you can go in for a cup of coffee when you are tired of walking.
Cultural Experience
Cooking Course
There are several places to learn how to cook Lao food in Luang Prabang, mostly located in schools. The course includes gathering vegetables and other ingredients at the market, cooking under the guidance of a chef, and finally tasting the results in person. The cost is not high, and even those with zero cooking skills can enroll, focusing on experiencing the local food culture.
- Tamarind: Located in the downtown of Luang Prabang, it offers one-day courses as well as evening cooking classes with teachers, in an elegant environment where you can learn about everything from gathering ingredients to cooking.
Textile Course
Learning to make local handicrafts in Laos is very meaningful. You can deeply understand the origins of folk crafts and weave beautiful scarves or small bags with your own hands under the guidance of the teacher, which you can not only take away as souvenirs, but also have a better experience of the local customs.
- Ock Pop Tok Handcraft Shop: Courses such as bamboo weaving are offered, led by professional teachers, with lunch and free shuttle.
Villages
- Pak Ou Village
- Ban Long Lao Hmong village
- Muang Khai Village
- Ban Chan Pottery Village
- Whisky Village
- Nong Khiaw Village
- Ban Xang Hai Village
- Elephant Village
