Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5
Tucked down a bumpy lane opposite
the market on the banks of the Mekong,
Ock Pop Tok (“East Meets West”;
W ockpoptok.com) offers fascinating
guided tours of its Living Crafts Centre
(every 30min: daily 8.30am-5pm; free),
which employs thirty expert weavers from
local villages. hey also run excellent
classes and workshops.
worth booking one in advance through your guesthouse or
arranging with a tuk-tuk driver to pick you up.
Airlines Bangkok Airways, Sisavangvong Rd ( T 071 253334);
Lao Airlines, Manomai Rd ( T 071 212172); Lao Central
Airlines, Airport ( T 071 410215); Thai Smile ( W thaismileair
.com); Vietnam Airlines, Airport ( T 071 213048).
Destinations Bangkok, Thailand (3-4 daily; 1hr 40min);
Chiang Mai, Thailand (daily; 1hr); Hanoi, Vietnam (2 daily;
1hr); Jinghong, China (2 weekly; 1hr); Pakse (daily; 1hr
40min); Siem Reap, Cambodia (daily; 1hr 40min);
Vientiane (4 daily; 40min).
By boat In 2012, the slow boat pier for services to/from
Houayxai and Pakbeng was moved to Ban Don, 10km east
of the old city, in a move to benefit the local tuk-tuk drivers;
speedboats arrive at the same place. Sawngthaews to town
(20,000K/person) will drop you at your accommodation once
you've bought a ticket at the booth at the top of the landing.
At the time of writing, there were no boat services running
on the Nam Ou to Nong Khiaw (8hr), though these were
rumoured to restart by mid-2014; until they were suspended,
they ran from the old slow boat pier behind the Royal Palace
in the old city. Slow boats depart daily for Pakbeng (for
Houayxai; 110,000K) at 8.30am. While you can buy tickets at
the pier (arrive at least 30min early), it's much easier to pick
one up from a travel agent in town. Prices are much higher
(190,000K to Pakbeng is typical) but will include pick-up
from your accommodation; otherwise, a sawngthaew to the
pier will cost around 60,000K. The eight-seater speedboats to
Pakbeng (190,000K) and Houayxai (320,000K) theoretically
depart at 9am (again, arrive early to be sure of a seat), though
as they'll only set off when full they often leave (much) later;
since there's no guarantee they'll run, some travel agents are
reluctant to sell tickets in advance.
Destinations
Xieng Men
he village of Xieng Men , just across the
Mekong from the old city, feels a world
away from the crowds of Sisavangvong
Road. Head uphill from the ferry landing
and you'll find a narrow lane to the right,
which will lead you past traditional
wooden houses to the first of the temples,
Wat Xiengmene (10,000K), built in
1592. Much of what you now see dates
from modern times, though its sim
retains its beautifully carved doors.
Further on, a short but steep climb up
steps to the left brings you to the
timeworn sim and stupas of Wat Chom
Phet (10,000K), a disused monastery best
visited at dusk when the views of the
sunset are spectacular. Continuing along
the path will lead you to Wat Long Khoun
(10,000K). Check out the two Chinese
door guardians painted either side of the
main entrance to the sim and the finely
drawn, colourful murals within. Your
ticket includes a guided visit to nearby
Wat Tham Sackkalin , a cave repository for
old and damaged Buddha images.
A frequent vehicle ferry (10,000K)
operates between Luang Prabang and
Xieng Men, leaving from the landing
northwest of the Royal Palace Museum,
or arrange with one of the boatmen to be
dropped at the main Xieng Men ferry
landing and picked up below Wat Long
Khoun (around 20,000K).
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By air The airport is 4km northeast of the old city. If you're
arriving on an international flight, you can get a thirty-day
visa on arrival here (see p.345). There is also a foreign
exchange booth and a couple of ATMs. Minivans (buy a ticket
at the counter just after the exit; 50,000K/600B for up to
three people) shuttle tourists to the centre, and will take you
straight to your accommodation. Heading out to the airport,
tuk-tuks charge a flat fare of 50,000K from the centre - it's
Houayxai (speedboat 6-7hr); Pakbeng
(slow boat 8hr, speedboat 3-4hr).
By bus Luang Prabang has two public bus stations, plus a
third for faster and pricier tourist minibuses and “VIP”
international coaches; tuk-tuks to any of the stations from
town cost around 20,000K. Buses from points north arrive at
the Northern bus station, 3km northeast of town, near the
airport. Buses from Vang Vieng, Vientiane and other points
south along Route 13 stop at the Southern bus station, 3km
south of the centre. Naluang tourist bus station (aka minibus
station) is opposite the Southern bus station. Tourist buses
will normally drop you centrally - often at a guesthouse that
the driver has links to, though you're not obliged to stay there.
You can buy tickets at the bus stations, but it's usually easier
(if more expensive) to get them from one of the tour agencies
on Sisavangvong Road, which will include a transfer from
your guesthouse. For tourist buses, you'll save money if
you book direct with the bus station itself ( T 071 212979,
W naluangstation.com); their tickets are cheaper than the
agencies in town but still include transfer.
Destinations from Northern bus station Houayxai
 
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