Travel information with destination guide in Luang Prabang by GuideRooms.com   

General Information

Luang Prabang

Geography

Luang Prabang is strikingly situated on a narrow peninsula that bisects the conjunction of the Mekong River, flowing south along the west side of the city, and the Mae Kok River, a tributary of the Mekong the flows from the east but angles north just before the convergence of the two rivers. The tip of the peninsula is the site of a wat that was frequented by the royal family when it resided there, and is still a site of devotion for local Lao Bhuddists as well as increasingly frequent tourists. Stone boat landing steps lead down to the river from the wat at the very tip of the peninsula, affording a striking panoramic view of the river in all seasons.

History

Luang Prabang became the first capital of Laos in the 14th century when King Fa Ngum returned from Cambodia where he and his father were exiled by the previous king, Fa Ngum's grandfather. Fa Ngum had the support of the Kingdom in Siem Reap and brought with him thousands of soldiers and so established his kingsom. Luang Prabang was previously known as Muang Sawa, but changed name after Cambodia sent the precious gold Buddha the Prabang as a gift. The Prabang is today the symbol of the town and a copy is at display at the museum. The real one was sent off to the Soviet Union in the 1970s to settle debt.