Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NORTHERN LAOS
Whether you're here to trek, ride elephants, zip-line, kayak, cycle or try a homestay, a visit
to northern Laos is for many the highlight of their Southeast Asian trip. Bordered by China
to the far north, Vietnam to the east and Myanmar to the west, there's a fascinating cast of
ethnic peoples whose rustic, tribal beliefs are a world away from the Thai- influenced urb-
anites of Vientiane. Hidden amid this rugged simplicity is Southeast Asia's premier Shangri
La, Luang Prabang; with its chic restaurants, photogenic temples and revitalised French vil-
las it's something of an architectural phenomenon. Beyond it are unfettered, dense forests
still home to tigers, gibbons and a cornucopia of animals, with a well-established ecotour-
ism framework to take you to their very heart.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Luang Prabang
071 / POP 70,000
This Unesco-protected gem of 33 Buddhist temples is a traveller's dream, with affordable,
top-class cuisine and French colonial buildings. There are few places in Southeast Asia that
can compete with such a special mix of chic refinement and ancient charm as found on
Luang Prabang's hallowed peninsula. The good news is the best things are cheap or free:
hiring a bike, chilling by the riverbank, temple-hopping, shopping in the night market, tak-
ing a spa or yoga class, and visiting the menthol-blue cascades of Kuang Si. Spend a little
more and you can ecotrek, elephant ride or take a cooking course - your choices really are
myriad.
The ghosts of the French colonials endure as freshly baked croissants exude aromas from
Gallic-style cafes, and old Indochinese mansions are reborn as boutique hotels. Prepare to
relax and replot your itinerary: Luang Prabang will effortlessly seduce you.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search