Luang Prabang - The Rough Guide to Laos - page 203

MARKETS
Dara Market Kitsalat Rd; map . A rather sanitized modern precinct offering a varied range
of products, from mobile phones to Western clothing, with a few Lao handicrafts stalls and
silversmiths at the back. Daily 8am-5pm.
Handicraftmarket Sisavangvong Road between the tourist office and the Royal Palace Mu-
seum; map . From embroidered bedspreads and brightly coloured shoulder bags to lào-láo ,
lanterns and the obligatory Beerlao T-shirts, this is the city's most famous market and you're
bound to find something that appeals. A lot of what is sold is much of a muchness, and a high
proportion is actually from Thailand and China, but nonetheless it's fun to browse and it's
possible to get some good bargains. Be prepared to haggle .
Hmong market On the corner of Sisavangvong and Kitsalat roads; map . During the day,
a small number of stalls set up close to the nightmarket - much of the produce is the
same, though there's a little less pressure from sellers. Also a good place for snacks . Daily
7am-9pm.
Morning market Between Inthasone Rd and the Royal Palace Museum; map . On a street
parallel to Sisavangvong Rd and the river, the crammed-in stalls here sell a whole range of
produce, from bug-eyed fish and scrawny chicken feet to piles of bright-green veg and little
round aubergines. Get there early to experience it at its best - by 10am, most of the stalls
have started packing up. Daily 6-10am.
Phosy Market Photisalath Rd, 2km southwest of the centre 071 253730; map . The
city's main market provides a welcome taste of real daily life in Luang Prabang away from
the tourists. This huge, largely covered market sells almost everything you can think of, from
machetes to mobiles to giant Miffys. The meat section is alive with the sound of cleavers,
and it's a good place to pick up snacks, such as bags of spicy and delicious dried, fried mush-
rooms. Daily 7am-5pm.
MULBERRY-PAPER
SA Paper Handicrafts Off Souliyavongsa Rd 020 7777 7613; map . Tucked down a tiny
lane opposite Wat Xiengmouane, this is one of a number of shops selling colourful, tradi-
tional mulberry-paper lanterns, including collapsible models, plus books, cards and photo al-
bums. Daily 9am-9pm.
SILVER, JEWELLERY AND ANTIQUES
New silver of superior quality can and should be bought directly from Luang Prabang's
expert silversmiths. There are several shops attached to workshops in Ban Wat That, the
traditional silversmithing district southwest of the old city between Chao Fa Ngum Road
and the Mekong, though opening hours are erratic. Other silversmiths are located near the
Royal Palace, opposite Wat Aham and in the Dara Market. Items to look out for include
paraphernalia for betel chewing, boxes or bowls and jewellery. With a few exceptions, the