THEGUIDE
luang prabang
FAHTHAI
103
1 _
WHAT WE
RECOMMEND
Chant and light candles on
the eve of February’s full
moon, known as the Boun
Makha Bousa Festival, to
commemorate the legend
of the town’s enlightened
monks
2 _
KNOW THE
NUMBER
32 — the number of
temples in Luang Prabang
with UNESCO status
3 _
MEKONG SPA
Operated by La Résidence
Phou Vao, this luxury
spa with a garden setting
offers a full range of
treatments. All feature
the use of traditional
Laotian herbal remedies
containing botanical
ingredients from nearby
organic farms.
(residencephouvao.com)
COUNTRY
CODE
+856
EXCHANGE
RATE
LAK8,000 = US$1
FREQUENCY
2 flights per day
CITY ESCAPES
After exploring
Luang Prabang,
head out to the
rural heartland
G R E E N R E T R E A T
Top 3
insider
travel tips
Rest Your Head
MAISON SOUVANNAPHOUM
Once the residence of the late
Prince Souvanna Phouma, this
elegant boutique hotel is a blend
of French colonial architecture
and contemporary Asian
design, with a pool set amid a
lush garden of trees and shrubs.
(angsana.com)
LAO SPIRIT RESORT
Located in the pristine jungle
about 13km from town, this
hideaway for nature lovers and
hiking enthusiasts has seven
large Laotian-French-style
wooden bungalows with comfy
bed-and-bath facilities and
breathtaking views.
(lao-spirit.com)
Top Tables
DYEN SABAI
Cross the long bamboo bridge
over the Nam Khan River (or
take a complimentary boat
ride) to reach this airy riverside
restaurant and bar with eye-
catching views and a very laid-
back atmosphere. The Laotian
BBQ is a must.
(dyensabai.com)
PIZZA PHAN LUANG
This is the top place in town for
thin-and-crispy pizzas, which
are wood-fired in stone ovens as
customers look on. Getting here
from the city centre requires a
walk of about 15 minutes, but
that first bite will convince you it
was well worth the effort.
(Phan Luang Village)
Bottoms Up
PACK LUCK WINE BAR
A bustling little bar with an
extensive and impressive
selection of Old and New World
wines along with hard liquor
and cocktails, this place caters
largely for an expat crowd. Pack
Luck is lively, boasts plenty
of atmosphere and has great
music.
(packluck.com)
REDBUL BAR
Tasty cocktails, fun bar games
and a pumping dance floor are
behind Redbul Bar's success at
attracting a good mix of locals,
expats and travellers. If you’re
young, or young at heart, then
head here for a great night.
(redbulbarluangprabang.com)
Luang Prabang
TEXT: YIXUAN FAN
