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Visiting the picturesque ancient capital of Laos and spending a few days immersing yourself in the timeless and gentle beauty of Luang Prabang is an intriguing way to quickly rediscover peace and balance in life.
I arrived in Luang Prabang in the evening, following a travel journey from Nong Khiaw. Luang Prabang is a highly renowned tourist city in Laos, situated along the scenic Mekong River—a place my friends described as incredibly comfortable and wonderful for sunset gazing.
However, as I began searching for a hotel to stay, I realized it wasn't as comfortable as I had imagined. The main reason was that I hadn't booked a hotel room in advance, and also, it coincided with Laos' holiday season, resulting in most hotels being fully booked. Otherwise, the prices were also inflated by more than 50% compared to normal.
Luckily, I eventually found a beautiful hotel at an acceptable price. After having a late lunch and organizing my belongings, I stepped out of the hotel and asked for directions to the Mekong Riverbank to witness the sunset. The atmosphere here was truly pleasant, and I suddenly discovered that the Mekong River in this area was quite different from the first time I saw it while boating in Huay Xai. Although it's the same river, the beauty varies from place to place, and I felt genuinely excited to begin exploring this area.
Later, I reached the ferry terminal where I had plans to meet two friends named Chris and Dolf—these are the same friends who had an amazing time with me in Muang Ngoi Neua. We discussed and planned our journey here, with the initial plan being to dine at a cozy riverside restaurant and end the day with a few Laotian beer bottles.
Admiring the Sunset from Phou Si Mountain
The next day, our travel plans took a turn when Chris and Dolf wanted to visit Chum Field in Phonsavan, while I decided to skip this destination. I chose to stay in Luang Prabang for an extra two days, so I rented a bicycle to explore the city a bit.
After visiting some temples and markets, I discovered an interesting gym here and decided to visit it in the evening. Finally, as per yesterday's plan, I decided to climb Phou Si mountain to witness the sunset.
Upon reaching the mountain's summit, you'll encounter a beautiful temple called Wat Chomsi, offering a 360-degree panoramic view. Some fellow travelers shared with me that you have to come here early to secure a good viewing spot, or it could get crowded.
I climbed to the top while the sun was still high, found a comfortable rock to sit on, and waited for the sunset. Time passed quickly, and when I turned around, I was pleasantly surprised to see many tourists had arrived. I was glad I came early to find a perfect spot for enjoying the scenery.
Although the sunset here may not be the most spectacular compared to what I've seen in various places, when the last light of the day cast upon the river below, I suddenly felt an indescribable sense of tranquility and peace.
Khát Thực – Laos' Unique Cultural Essence
The next day, I decided to venture out to witness the almsgiving procession on the streets. Traditionally, the monks here walk through the streets at dawn to receive food offerings from the local people. The street was filled with both locals and tourists waiting to offer their food baskets to the passing monks—a scene of solemnity and tranquility.
The Enchanting Beauty of Kuang Si Waterfall
Later, I opted to rent a motorbike to visit Kuang Si waterfall, a stunning natural beauty about 30km from the city center. After accelerating and moving for a while, unfortunately, the tire encountered an issue, forcing me to stop. Unbelievably, I had traveled nearly 700km on a motorbike in the Mae Hong Son region without a single breakdown, and here, within the first 30 minutes of the journey, I had to stop for repairs. Fortunately, I didn't have to go far to find a repair shop. The motorcycle mechanic here seemed a bit clumsy but was cheerful and enthusiastic. After about an hour, my bike was fixed, and I resumed my journey.
Kuang Si Waterfall – a surreal beauty was the final destination in my Luang Prabang trip. Taking a dip and immersing myself in the cool water here was a fantastic way to release stress and fatigue.
Luang Prabang is a beautiful and serene city, a place worth spending time exploring and discovering.
Article and Images: Escapology Blog
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourSeptember 29, 2015
