– Hello from Luang Prabang.
– Thank you, but … wonder where that is …
Well yes, I didn’t know about the place either until I started to plan on our journey in Indochina.
We are in Laos PDR. The letters PDR stand for Peoples’ Democratic Republic and the only reason for my generation to have ever heard about this landlocked (no sea border) country is the Vietnam War – some of you may particularly remember the fabled (CIA owned) Air America and its Ravens. I suspect younger generations know even less.
As a matter of fact, Laos was a kingdom until the revolution of 1975. The first kingdom was established already in the 14th century with the title Lan Xang, or (Land of a) Million Elephants. But unlike their neighbour Cambodia, the Laos have not returned to kingdom – on the other hand they didn’t have any Khmer Rouge period either.
OK, and Luang Prebang …..?
This city, only 400 km but still, about a 10 hours bus ride north of the present Capital, Vientiane, was the home of the Royal Family. Only a decade ago this area of Laos was very difficult to access (actually its not easy even today except by air), with no decent roads accross the mountains, but today, with better road connections, this once sleepy Capital, with its myriad of temples, glittering in emerald and gold, with its orange-robed monks, and great food, restaurants and night-market may be the most sophisticated and photogenic city in the whole of Indochina.
We travelled by bus from Vientiane, and it took all those 10 hours mentioned above and although the VIP bus was reasonably comfortable, the serpent-roads made it a tough ride.
However, Luang Prebang is certainly not an unknown place among serious globetrotters. During the last 5 years it has 4 times been voted “The Worlds Top City Destination” by readers of the UK’s Wanderlust Magazine. Latest trophy was awarded last month, Siena in Italy came second.
The whole city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
“Maybe it’s the languid pace of life instilled by the monks, maybe it’s just being in the shadow of those majestic temples; maybe it’s the presence of the mighty Mekong – but the whole place makes you slow down, forget any stress and just appreciate the environment around you. Yes, there are things to see and do, but that’s not the point. Luang Prabang is simply a great place to be” (Wanderlust Magazine).
French connection