Nong Khiaw , Ou River

Taken by Wi on her All Points East tour of Northern Laos

Taken on: 10th February, 2011. Copyright: All Rights Reserved - See Mark Chiang Mai's page of Flickr

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The northern province of Luang Prabang and its eponymous capital are among the most atmospheric and popular destinations in Laos.

The charming city of Luang Prabang, once the capital of Laos and still considered to be its spiritual heart, breathes a rich meld of French Indochinese architecture, Theravada Buddhist temples and a magical atmosphere.

Luang Prabang is strikingly situated on a peninsula formed by the confluence of two rivers, the Mekong and the Khan. Its palm-lined riverbanks, terracotta roofs, golden stupas and saffron-robed monks all come together to form a picture postcard increasingly difficult to find in Southeast Asia. Somnambulant and languid, its peaceful feel masks a history of conquest and recapture, and only hints at the intricate culture and traditional rituals that still take place here every day.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, the town was described by the global body as "an outstanding example of the fusion of ... Read our complete Luang Prabang travel guide

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