Edit

Luang Prabang Province

Travel Guide Asia Laos Luang Prabang Province

Introduction

Best known for the provincial capital, Luang Prabang, this Nothern province is home to over 400,000 inhabitants. As well as Luang Prabang, other areas of interest include Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi Neua - great locations for travellers seeking a bit of peace and quiet and rewarding trekking opportunities, as well as a sense of rustic Laos.

edit

Geography

edit

Cities

edit

Sights and Activities

Luang Prabang has innummerable sights and activities on offer as well as some of the best cuisine Laos has to offer. It's charming atmosphere has made it a favourite among travellers for years.
Nong Khiaw is a quiet market town nestled between stunning limestone cliffs on the banks of the Nam Ou river. The loctaion is this destination's big selling point as is great for walks and treks to the surrounding Hmong villages
Muang Ngoi Neua is often described as an unusual town, as it's bustling with guest houses despite being inaccesible by road. It's a relaxing stop on trip through Laos, but is also a good base for trekking.

edit

Events and Festivals

Most events and festivals are the same as those for the rest of Laos, but it's a good place to be for Pii Mai in April. The boat races during Bun Awk Phansa are also good in this area due to the close proximity of most towns to the rivers.

edit

Weather

Luang Prabang Province has a hot and humid tropical climate. There are two seasons. The rainy season lasts from May to October while the much more pleasant dry season lasts from November to April. During the rainy season there is about 200 to 300 mm of rain a month and the high temperatures, averaging around 33 °C during the day and around 24 °C at night, makes this time the worst for a visit. Winter is much more pleasant with days still close to 30 °C and nights a nice 15 °C to 18 °C. March to May can be very hot, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C while mountainous areas, especially in the north can get rather chilly during winter, when northern winds blow from China.

edit

Getting There

By Plane

Luang Prabang International Airport (IATA: LPQ, ICAO: VLLB) is a small international airport located outside of town with regular domestic flights to Phongsaly, Vientiane and Xieng Khuang. There are also international flights to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Hanoi and Siem Reap. Remember that flight schedules can change so make sure to check for the most current destinations served.