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Luang Prabang Images 16 images Created 18 Dec 2008

Like everything else in Luang Prabang, the Mekong River never hurries as it passes by the town. Monks in orange robes and flip-flops stroll through the streets collecting alms at dawn. Visitors are soon lulled into the pace of life here, a treat for those of us that crave a slower tempo. Set between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang was almost completely abandoned after 1975. Thanks to UNESCO naming it a World Heritage Site as "the Best Preserved City in Southeast Asia" tourism has rescued the town. Visitors now come to explore 1000 year old temples and chat with the friendly monks, sip coffee on French colonial verandas and wander around in Luang Prabang's narrow brick lanes and markets.
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  • Monks Collecting Alms - the respect given by a lay Buddhist to a Buddhist monk or nun is not charity as presumed by Western eyes but closer to a symbolic connection to the spiritual showing humility and respect.  The presence of so many Buddhist monks is a stabilizing influence in Lao society and the act of alms-giving helps connects lay people to the monk.
    luang-prabang-alms-1.jpg
  • Papayas at the Morning Market, Luang Prabang - a large array of outdoor stalls selling pretty much everything from papayas to baskets; opening up at sunrise and remaining open until around 12:00 noon.
    luang-prabang-market-3.jpg
  • Textured silk at the Luang Prabang Night Market which has perhaps the most extensive collection of handicrafts for sale in the country, with a wide variety of textiles, clothing, carvings, basketry, quilts, and much more. The market is open daily from dusk until about 10 pm. Strolling  through the night market is an enjoyable experience in itself and is something that should not be missed for anyone visiting Luang Prabang.
    lao-silk-3.jpg
  • Wat Ho Prabang, within the grounds of the former royal palace of Luang Prabang.
    wat-ho-prabang.jpg
  • Mekong River Sunset - The Mekong River flows for over four thousand kilometers from the Tibetan Plateau through China then finally Indochina.  The Mekong riverfront in Luang Prabang is very much part of the town's cityscape as well as its lifeline to the rest of the country.
    mekong-16.jpg
  • Mt Phousi Dragon Stairs.  Mt Phousi is a hill right at the centre of the old town of Luang Prabang. Visitors climb the mountain on a long staircase that zigzags up the hill until you reach the summit with its own temple and views of Luang Prabang, Mekong and Nam Khan rivers below.
    mt-phousi.jpg
  • Pak Ou Caves are a magnificent group of caves that are only accessible by boat.  The caves are noted for their impressive Lao style Buddha sculptures assembled over the centuries by local people and pilgrims. Hundreds of mostly wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the floors and wall shelves. They take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and nirvana.
    pak-ou-caves.jpg
  • Tree of Life at Wat Xieng Thong - This temple, along with Wat Suwannaphumaham, was spared by any damage during the sacking of the city in 1887. There is a reclining Buddha sanctuary, which contains a especially rare reclining Buddha that dates from the construction of the temple. In 1931, the image was taken to Paris and displayed at the Paris Exhibition and was kept in Vientiane until 1964, when it returned to Luang Phrabang.
    wat-xieng-thong-5.jpg
  • The Tai Dam or Tai Dum are an ethnic group usually found in Laos and Vietnam.<br />
The Tai Dam originate from the vicinity of Dien Bien Phu,in Vietnam,the original area of occupation of the Tai people in the early history of the Tai people settlement in Southeast Asia. According to the legend of Khun Borom, the legendary progenitor of the Tai speaking peoples.  The ethnic group's name originates from the women's traditional black skirts and head dresses. The black silk is embroidered with flowers and beautiful patterns. The belt is typically bright green. Tai Dam women still wear traditional clothing, especially at ceremonies. The Tai Dam do not have a defined religion but practice ancestor worship.
    tai-dam-woman-1.jpg
  • Temple School at Wat Siphoutthabat -  Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravada Buddhism and is at the basis of Laotian culture. Buddhism in Laos is often closely tied to animistic beliefs as well as ancestral spirits, particularly in rural areas.  Nearlly all Lao young men become novice monks for a short period in their lives as a part of their upbringing and coming-of-age. Many temples in Laos serve as schools, such as this one.
    temple-school.jpg
  • Novice Ringing the Temple Bell -  The type of Buddhism practiced in Laos is a unique version of Theravada Buddhism which is at the basis of Lao culture. Buddhism in Laos is often tied to animist beliefs and in ancestral spirits.  It is usual for most Lao boys to go into a temple for a period of time, usually a month or six weeks at least, before adulthood.
    lao-monk-7.jpg
  • Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, often called Wat Mai is a Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang.  It is the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang. Built in the 18th century it is located near the Royal Palace Museum.  An emerald Buddha statue sits inside the red-gold interior
    wat-souvannapumaram.jpg
  • Temple School Novice Monks at Wat Siphoutthabat - Most male Lao youths spend time in a temple or monastery, before becoming adults.   The Buddhism practiced in Laos is of the Theravada tradition,  a  version of Theravada Buddhism and the foundation of Lao culture.
    lao-monk-1.jpg
  • Luang Prabang Morning Market is a large collection of outdoor stalls selling pretty much everything.  The markets start up at sunrise and remains open until around  noon.
    luang-prabang-market-1.jpg
  • Young Novice Collecting Alms - In Buddhism, giving alms is a show of respect given by a lay Buddhist to a Buddhist monk. It is not charity as presumed by Western eyes. It is closer to a symbolic connection to the spiritual and to show humility and respect.  The visible presence of monks is a stabilizing influence in Lao society. The act of alms giving connects lay people to monks, what he represents and to Buddhism itself.
    lao-monk-6.jpg
  • Villa Santi Hotel makes the most of its French Colonial architecture and the first comfortable hotel in Luang Praban - In order to make French colonists feel more at home and at the same time to reflect its vision of imperial grandeur, the French colonial government rebuilt  Laotian cities according to European specifications.
    villa-santi-hotel-2.jpg