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Luang Prabang - Do, Stay, Eat?
Posted by olielle (343 days ago)
Let's suggest some things to do and see as well as places to stay for anyone planning a trip to Luang Prabang.
(I am based in Hong Kong)
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Posted by Ed (315 days ago)
Colours of Angsana is a superb hotel - run by Banyan Tree - I have stayed twice and no complaints.
As for things to do:
Check out the colourful night market each evening on the main street - hill tribe people drop their wares onto blankets for sale (no knock off tshirts here...)
Rent a bike and take a ride outside the town
Rent a kayak and follow Henri Mahouts journey down the river - stop and check out the tomb of this famous explorer
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by janes addiction (315 days ago)
La Residence Phou Vao - a little outside the main historical area, but not very far. Nice resort.
Eat - restaurants at 3 Nagas, or Villa Santi good for Lao inspired French. Try Lao's version of pho. Pretty yummy.
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by Richard van Eek (314 days ago)
Lovely hotel in the middle of the old part of town is The Apsara:
http://www.theapsara.com/
It is quoted as "funky, fun and fabulously affordable. We stayed there for a couple of nights and he is totally right! Loved that place, old warehouse so high ceiling and wooden floors. We stayed in the Superior upstairs Bedroom.
And for things to do, obviously you gotta do teh monk ceremony in the morning which is very impressive and photogenic and take a day trip to the waterfalls! Enjoy!
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by seneca (284 days ago)
My wife and I visited Luang Prabang just thirteen months ago - sorry for the late reply. My Chinese-bornwife was enchanted by the tranquil and laid-back character of LP.
I can't recdommend any guesthouse or hotel over others because they are more or less all the same, at least in the centre of town (which reminded me of colonial Africa). The guesthouses are basic but sufficient, though the operators cash in heavily on tourists (you will be made to pay in U.S. yuan or THai baht though the local currency will be accepted too).
One of the biggest attractions is a visit to an elephant farm where you stay for one night and ride on elephant back. It's pretty expensive, though, but it seems to be a unique way of sampling local life; if memory serves they wanted us to fork out U.S.$ 60 for the whole two-day package.
We were thrilled by the international food in many places, with good coffee avialable nearly everywhere and bakeries offering cakes that rivalled HK's best western-style bakery products.
On the other hand the local fare was somewhat unimpressive; there was a noodle stall in the swankiest part of town that looked like a HK daipangdong. We enjoyed the food though it was always the same noodles with a spicy sauce and a few greens. The most disconcerting aspect was the price - so steep that no local could possibly afford to buy it.
This taught us a lesson about Laos in general: THere is a relatively shiny surface diligently being polished all the time that is meant for the foreigners (those guesthouses in nicely-renovated French villas, for instance), and there is the other Laos - ugly, poor, fragmented (only a little over half of Laos' natives are Dai/Laotian people, the vast rest are minorities that live a life the government and people of Laos hardly get to know or would want to experience). Anyone going there for the first time will ntoice the incredible number of incredibly luxurious four-wheel drives run by an incredibly few individuals and government officials.
If you are in need of staying near the bus station - which is outside of town - try the relatively charming but forlorn-looking hotel 500 meters back towards town from the bus station and on the opposite side of the road.
Its rate was reasonable (U.S.25, including breakfast for two).
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by mary11 (271 days ago)
Wanted to go there as well. But finding a flight is impossible. What are best routes or airlines to arrive for a short trip?
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by Ed (271 days ago)
I believe the best routing is via Bangkok on Thai Air.
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by janes addiction (271 days ago)
Can also fly via Hanoi on VN Airlines. Less flying time, though not sure if less total travel time.
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by Info Seeker (254 days ago)
We also stayed at the Apsara. Excellent. You can book it on-line. You can walk to many temples from there. They also serve great food. There are many restaurants, some with great food. Just walk around and check them out. The Swedish bakery is also great.
We took two day trips: Elephant ride/bamboo rafting - was OK. We also went to the waterfall park, Tat Kuang Si, which was gorgeous - beautiful, clean blue water. We arranged both day trips through Apsara.
(I am based in Guangzhou)
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