Luang Prabang Travel Guide: Spirituality & Solitude In Laos’ Sacred City

Luang Prabang is my favorite place in Southeast Asia for short stays. It’s just so soulful and serene, from the bustling but quaint old town to the quiet nature just a few minutes away, on the other side of the Mekong. The unmatched mix of urban, provincial, and naturalistic vibes keeps me going back. Notice that I’ve not referred to Luang Prabang as a “city”, though. That’s because it has no tall buildings, no franchise convenience stores, and no gridlocked rush hour traffic like most urban cores. Instead, it has the feel of a friendly small town. That being said, it’s quite difficult to get out of the “tourist bubble” there. The area dedicated to tourism, while amazing, is smaller than any other tourist hotspot I can think of, and points of interest for visitors are extremely sparse outside of that tiny enclave. The arrival of the China-Laos train line has only strengthened the often-inescapable pull of the tourist centre. In this guide, I’ll help prepare you for exploring the real Luang Prabang by introducing some of those insider tips you won’t find elsewhere, from unique eats (like stews with flavorful wood chunks as ingredients) to scenic wilderness spots untouched by tourism...