On Thursday 31 January we boarded the boat again to continue the journey down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang (about an 8 hour journey). We stopped at a local village on the way, where the local women sell their handicrafts (embroidered skirts and bags are big over here). The villagers all seemed to be really content, especially the kids. When you took their picture, however, the first thing they asked for was money! (See photos).
At an hour before we arrived at Luang Prabang, we stopped at Pak Ou Caves (see photos), which are situated on the Mekong River in the side of a cliff opposite the mouth of the Pak Ou River. The caves are located 28km from Luang Prabang. The two sacred caves, Tham Ting (lower) and Tham Phum (upper) were apparently discovered by King Setthathirath in the 16th century. They are studded with thousandsof Buddha images - 2500 in the lower cave and 1500 in the upper cave (which is in darness) - of both wooden and metal design, some thought to be over 200 years old. For years the caves, which locals believe to be the home of guardian spirits, were also inhabited by monks. The King visited the caves during Lao New Year, staying at Ban Pak Ou, the village across the river. The caves are one of the main venues for Phimai in April, with locals making the pilgrimage up river from Luang Prabang (see photos and top photo for entrance of caves).
We arrived in Luang Prabang at about 5pm to stay at the Thongbury Guest House, which is a short ride by tuk tuk out of the main part of town. The lodges are lovely and peaceful and we have breakfast on the veranda. Luang Prabang was the former capital of Laos. with lots of royal temples and remnant of faded grandeur of the Lao Monarchy. It is nestled in a valley surrounded by high mountains and has long been the site of local Kingdoms. In the 14th century, the first Kinbgdom of Lao, Lane Xang, was established here by King Fa Ngum. Known as the Land of a Million Elephants, the Kingdom lasted two hundred years. The name of the city refers to the holy Pra Bang, Laos' most sacred image of the Buddha. King Setthathirath moved the capital to Ventiane in 1563. When the Kingdom of Lang Xang split upon the death of King Souligna Vongsa in the 18th century in 1694, Luang Prabang was one of three Kingdoms created. The city's importance diminished in the 18th century and eexperienced many invasions. The town has been successfully pillaged and razed over the years - the last invaders were the Chinese Ho in the mid 1880s. Vitually all traces of older structures have disappeared, as they were built of wood and susceptible to the elements.
Due to Luang Prabang's cultural and religious heritage, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on December 2nd 1995 to ensure the preservation of temples and traditional Lao and French colonial architecture.
We are going to spend two days in Luang Prabang, but haven't seen much of it yet (other than bars and restaurants from being out last night). We went to the Art and Cultural Museum this morning to learn about the different ethnic tribes and handicrats but it has rained non-stop since yesterday evening. I have, however, managed to finally update my blog but I think I will have to wait until I get back to Bangkok to add the photos. The internet speed is a bit slow here and I will be here all day!
At an hour before we arrived at Luang Prabang, we stopped at Pak Ou Caves (see photos), which are situated on the Mekong River in the side of a cliff opposite the mouth of the Pak Ou River. The caves are located 28km from Luang Prabang. The two sacred caves, Tham Ting (lower) and Tham Phum (upper) were apparently discovered by King Setthathirath in the 16th century. They are studded with thousandsof Buddha images - 2500 in the lower cave and 1500 in the upper cave (which is in darness) - of both wooden and metal design, some thought to be over 200 years old. For years the caves, which locals believe to be the home of guardian spirits, were also inhabited by monks. The King visited the caves during Lao New Year, staying at Ban Pak Ou, the village across the river. The caves are one of the main venues for Phimai in April, with locals making the pilgrimage up river from Luang Prabang (see photos and top photo for entrance of caves).
We arrived in Luang Prabang at about 5pm to stay at the Thongbury Guest House, which is a short ride by tuk tuk out of the main part of town. The lodges are lovely and peaceful and we have breakfast on the veranda. Luang Prabang was the former capital of Laos. with lots of royal temples and remnant of faded grandeur of the Lao Monarchy. It is nestled in a valley surrounded by high mountains and has long been the site of local Kingdoms. In the 14th century, the first Kinbgdom of Lao, Lane Xang, was established here by King Fa Ngum. Known as the Land of a Million Elephants, the Kingdom lasted two hundred years. The name of the city refers to the holy Pra Bang, Laos' most sacred image of the Buddha. King Setthathirath moved the capital to Ventiane in 1563. When the Kingdom of Lang Xang split upon the death of King Souligna Vongsa in the 18th century in 1694, Luang Prabang was one of three Kingdoms created. The city's importance diminished in the 18th century and eexperienced many invasions. The town has been successfully pillaged and razed over the years - the last invaders were the Chinese Ho in the mid 1880s. Vitually all traces of older structures have disappeared, as they were built of wood and susceptible to the elements.
Due to Luang Prabang's cultural and religious heritage, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on December 2nd 1995 to ensure the preservation of temples and traditional Lao and French colonial architecture.
We are going to spend two days in Luang Prabang, but haven't seen much of it yet (other than bars and restaurants from being out last night). We went to the Art and Cultural Museum this morning to learn about the different ethnic tribes and handicrats but it has rained non-stop since yesterday evening. I have, however, managed to finally update my blog but I think I will have to wait until I get back to Bangkok to add the photos. The internet speed is a bit slow here and I will be here all day!
1 comment:
Luang Prabang is a nice city
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