ASEAN World Heritage Sites – Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos has seen its share of history and conflict. Governments and armies have come and gone, yet one of ASEAN’s and Asia’s premier cultural and tourist destinations remains. Laos was again opened to tourism in 1989, and this saw the revival of this sleepy northern provincial capital located on the confluence of the Nam Kahan and Mekong rivers.

In 1995, Luang Prabang was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site.The UNESCO website gives the most concise reason for the selection:

Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.

 

The charm of the mixed architecture together with the natural beauty of tropical Laos and the many Buddhist temples (33) makes Luang Prabang a tourist magnet. Travel by air is available from Thailand and Vietnam while boat and bus transport is available for the more adventurous travellers. Luang Prabang seems to have everything one could ask for except international fast food chains–something than many will find a welcome change.

UNESCO World Heritage Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang photos via wikipedia

Top Photo: by Paul via flickr