Luang Prabang
The next morning, we enjoyed a relaxed breakfast by the pool. At 8 a.m., a tuk-tuk picked us up and took us to the station.
Our train to Luang Prabang departed punctually. This time, the route had fewer tunnels, allowing us to soak in the stunning landscape along the way.
We had booked first-class tickets for around €20 but were pleasantly surprised with a free upgrade to business class, which made the journey even more comfortable.
At the Luang Prabang station, minibuses waited to take travelers to their hotels.
Since our rooms weren’t ready yet, we decided to stop by a cozy little café. While sipping our coffee, we were enchanted by the city’s unique atmosphere.
We then wandered through the streets and alleys of this beautiful city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The blend of colonial architecture and Buddhist temples makes Luang Prabang truly special.
Our first stop was the less famous but stunning Wat Paphai Misayaram, which impressed us with its richly decorated façades and peaceful ambiance.
One of the most impressive sights was the mighty Mekong River, which we saw again for the first time since Vientiane. Elegant wooden boats gently rocked at the riverbank, waiting for passengers.
For lunch, we discovered a charming small café just steps from our hotel, where we enjoyed delicious sandwiches and freshly pressed juices.
Finally, we were able to check into our spacious room that overlooked a little pond.
We spent the afternoon relaxing again by the pool.
In the evening, we visited the enormous and internationally renowned night market, where one can find goods of all kinds.
We had dinner there, tasting authentic Laotian streetfood full of flavour.
Afterward, we found a café with a rooftop terrace where we ordered coffee and watched the bustling market life from above.
We started the following day with a delicious, extensive breakfast at the hotel.
Our plan for the day was a comprehensive city tour.
Our first stop was Wat Wisunerat, also known as Wat Visoun, built in 1513 and the oldest temple in Luang Prabang. The large stupa, That Pathum, stands out with its unique shape, making the temple truly one-of-a-kind.
While strolling through the old town, we passed a school where children were enjoying their break, playing various games together on the schoolyard.
Another highlight was the visit to Wat Xieng Thong, one of Laos’ most important temples. Its gilded roof and intricate mosaics left a deep impression on us.
A particularly impressive structure is the Bamboo Bridge, a shaky yet fascinating construction that lets you cross the river during the dry season but is dismantled every rainy season.
Crossing the bridge took some courage — it looked quite fragile.
On the far side of the bridge, the landscape turned very rural. At a café, we met the owner, who also makes traditional pottery to earn some extra income.
On our way back to the hotel, we passed several other impressive temples.
Back at the café from the day before, we enjoyed a tasty lunch and some coffee, of course.
We then cooled off with a quick swim in the pool and rested a bit before heading out in the afternoon.
Our afternoon destination was Phou Si, a hill right in the city center with a magnificent temple on top.
The strenuous climb up the many steps was rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the city, which turned out to be much bigger than we had initially thought.
From the summit, we witnessed yet another breathtaking sunset—the golden rays bathing the city and the Mekong in magical light.
We returned to the night market for dinner, this time enjoying burgers and fries in the rooftop restaurant.
It was the end of a wonderful day, but we were already excited about our next adventure—the Kuang Si Waterfalls.
