Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES
From March until the monsoon season, the city becomes markedly smoky - on some days
it's impossible to tell that the sun has risen until a good few hours later. Combined with
the intensifying heat, this can be quite an uncomfortable time to visit, so be prepared for
stinging eyes and a dry throat during this period.
The old city
The
oldcity
is concentrated on a long finger of land, approximately 1km long by 300m wide.
Most of Luang Prabang's architecture of merit - temple monasteries, Asian shop houses and
French-influenced mansions - is found here, along the main thoroughfare of
Sisavangvong/
SakkalineRoad
. The thicker, southern end of the peninsula is dominated by a steep, forested
hill,
Phousi
, crowned by a Buddhist stupa that can be seen for miles around. As the city grew
it expanded outwards from the peninsula to the south and east, and continues to do so to this
day.
Just four parallel streets run the length of the peninsula, but there are enough cross streets
and dead ends to keep things interesting. In particular, the city's narrow
brick lanes
, leading
off the principal thoroughfares, retain a distinctly village-like feel and a greater sense of local
atmosphere. Although it is possible to knock off all the attractions in the old city in a couple
of days, it's far more enjoyable to explore it a little at a time; the many temples and monas-
teries are certainly too charming be rushed through.
