Luang Prabang contains almost eighty Buddhist temples, and so hundreds of monks take on their journeys each morning, walking silently through streets lined with colonial houses and lazy palms. The air rings with the sound of the temple drums – it truly is a unique scene. After watching the Tak Bak, visit the morning market near the National Museum for another assault on the senses. Vendors sell all sorts of foods, from fresh vegetables and banana-leave wrapped fish through to frogs and bamboo rat.

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The charming town sits on a peninsular, flanked by the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Green mountains encircle the peninsular, which was once the ancient royal capital of the Lan Xieng region. The city is a delight to behold, extravagant golden temples standing proudly amongst pretty European style buildings. Stairways adorned with guardian creatures link palaces, monasteries and homes to the rivers below.

There’s plenty to see outside of the town too. Take a day trip south to the Kouang Si waterfall, which cascades over multiple layers and falls 60m and flows through a series of inviting turquoise pools. The spray from the falls keeps the surrounding area cool even at the height of midday, and the site is perfect for a picnic and a refreshing dip. North of Luang Prabang lie the Pak Ou Buddha Caves, at the joining of the Mekong and Nam Ou. Caves cut into the limestone karsts, and within the two main crevices are thousands of Buddha statues, which have been discarded over many years. The abandoned figures create an eerie scene, smiling serenely within the dark grottoes.  

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