Luang Prabang, also known in the past as Xieng Thong, and sometimes spelled Luang Phabang or Louangphabang, is the capital city of Luang Prabang Province in north-central Laos. The name means “Royal Buddha Image” and comes from the Phra Bang, a statue that represents Lao leadership. In 1995, the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it combines traditional Lao buildings, European-style colonial structures, and more than 30 Buddhist temples. The protected area includes 33 of the city’s 58 villages, where traditions such as the morning alms-giving ceremony continue to be practiced.
History
In the 6th century, the Mon people in the Chao Phraya River Valley formed the Dvaravati kingdoms. In the north, the Haripunjaya (Lamphun) region became a rival power to the Dvaravati. By the 8th century, the Mon people expanded northward, establishing city-states in Fa Daet (later Kalasin, northeastern Thailand), Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) near Tha Khek, Laos, Muang Sua (Luang Prabang), and Chantaburi (Vientiane). In the 8th century CE, Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) controlled trade across the middle Mekong region. These city-states introduced Theravada Buddhism to the area through missionaries from Sri Lanka.
Xieng Dong Xieng Thong was under Khmer rule from Jayavarman VII between 1185 and 1191. In 1238, a rebellion in the Khmer outpost of Sukhothai drove out Khmer rulers. In 1353, Xieng Dong Xieng Thong became the capital of the Lan Xang kingdom. In 1359, the Khmer king from Angkor gave the Phra Bang statue to his son-in-law, Fa Ngum, the first Lan Xang monarch, to support his rule and spread Theravada Buddhism. The city’s name was changed to Luangphabang, named after the Buddha image. Luang Prabang was occupied by Vietnamese forces during Emperor Lê Thánh Tông’s 1478–1480 campaign against Lan Xang and Lanna.
In 1707, Lan Xang collapsed due to a family conflict, and Luang Prabang became the capital of the Kingdom of Luang Phrabang. When France annexed Laos, the French recognized Luang Prabang as the royal residence of Laos. Over time, the ruler of Luang Prabang became the symbolic leader of Laos. When Laos gained independence, King Sisavang Vong of Luang Prabang became the head of state of the Kingdom of Laos.
Luang Prabang was involved in events during and after World War II and was occupied by foreign forces during the war, including Vichy France, Thailand, Imperial Japan, Free France, and Nationalist China. Initially, Vichy French forces controlled the city but lost it to Thai troops after the Franco-Thai War (1940–1941). On 9 March 1945, a nationalist group declared Laos independent again, with Luang Prabang as its capital. On 7 April 1945, Japanese troops occupied the city. The Japanese pressured King Sisavang Vong to declare Laotian independence, but he instead ended Laos’ status as a French protectorate. The king secretly sent Prince Kindavong to represent Laos to Allied forces and Sisavang Vatthana to the Japanese. After Japan surrendered, Free French forces reoccupied Luang Prabang on 25 August, and the king confirmed Laos remained a French protectorate. In September, Chinese Nationalist forces arrived to surrender remaining Japanese troops and purchased the Laotian opium crop.
In April and May 1946, the French tried to reclaim Laos by using paratroopers to retake Vientiane and Luang Prabang, forcing Phetsarath and Lao Issara officials to flee to Thailand and Vietnam. During the First Indochina War, Viet Minh and Pathet Lao forces attempted to capture Luang Prabang in 1953 and 1954, but French forces prevented them from reaching the city.
Tourism
Natural tourism sites include Kuang Si Falls, Tat Sae Waterfalls, and Pak Ou Caves. Elephant riding is available at some of these locations. Phou Si, located in the center of the town, offers views of the town and river systems. At the end of the main street in Luang Prabang, there is a night market where stalls sell shirts, bracelets, and other souvenirs. The Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum and Wat Xieng Thong temple are examples of historical sites. The town, especially the main street, has many smaller wats, such as Wat Hosian Voravihane. Every morning at sunrise, monks walk through the streets in a procession to receive alms from local residents. Mountain biking activities include riding around the town or to the waterfalls for the day. A pottery village is located down the Mekong River, about a 15-minute boat ride from the city center.
Gastronomy
Local dishes are: Or lam, Luang Prabang sausage, mokpa (steamed fish), and Kaipen made from Mekong River moss (served fried) with Jeow bong.
Transportation
Luang Prabang is connected to other cities by Route 13. This road links Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng and Vientiane in the south, and to Boten in the north. The road is paved. Since 2014, a new road has been built from Kasi (near Vang Vieng) to Luang Prabang. This road makes the trip take about 3 hours, instead of 5 hours using Route 13. Buses travel daily from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, and the journey takes 11 to 13 hours.
Beginning in December 2021, Luang Prabang is connected by the Vientiane–Boten railway. This train route runs next to Route 13 and connects Boten, near the border with China in the north, to Vientiane in the south. A train ride from Boten to Vientiane takes less than 3 hours, which is much faster than the 3-day road trip.