Luang Prabang (Laos)

Luang Phabang (aka Louangphabang, Luang Prabang) is a Mekong River cruise port and town in north-central Laos, with population around 55.000. Luang Prabang is approx 300 km (190 ml) north of country's capital city Vientiane.

The town consists of around 60 neighbouring villages, of which 33 comprise the UNESCO site "Luang Prabang Town" (listed in 1995) for the well-preserved monumwnts and unique architectural, cultural and religious heritage.

Luang Prabang Town (population around 24,000) is on a peninsula at the confluence of two rivers - Mekong and Nam Khan. It is famous for the numerous Buddhist monasteries and temples. Every morning, hundreds of monks from the local monasteries walk through the streets to collect alms. One of the major landmarks is Mt Phou Si - a steep hill with height 150 m (490 ft). A steep staircase leads to the shrine Wat Chom Si.

Formerly, Luang Prabang was kingdom capital (previously known as Chiang Thong). Until the 1975, Luang Prabang was the royal capital of Kingdom of Laos.