Luang Prabang is one of the most beautiful cities in Southeast Asia. It sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers…and the location couldn’t be more spectacular. The rivers are full of life, from fisherman to kids and monks playing in the water.
The old part of town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with more than 30 temples still occupied by Buddhist monks. Everywhere you turn there is another incredible temple, some dating back more than 500 years. Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham for instance, has stunning gold bas reliefs lining the front outer wall:
The inside of these temples are equally impessive, often filled with statues of the Buddha:
But Luang Prabang isn’t just incredible scenery and amazing temples. The food is insanely good, whether you get it at a nice restaurant or a market stall. The Apsara Hotel is one of the nicest places to eat, right on the Nam Khan, and every dish they serve is unbeatable. Here is there dried beef salad:In addition to what the town of Luang Prabang has to offer, there are numerous side trips to incredible destinations. Check out Exotissimo Travel for the best trips available. One of the best half day trips from the town are to the gorgeous Tat Kuang Si waterfalls:
The Tat Kuang Si falls are truly spectacular. The pools of water are a cloudy turquoise color (and yes, you can swim in them!). They’re so amazing they actually look fake! Some of the falls are multi tiered:
