|
 |
| Lao Ladies At Luang Prabang |
- Travel to and tourism in Laos is largely confined to visits to Luang Prabang in North Laos and Vientiane [ or Viang Chan ] in Central Laos. Both Cities are located on the Mekong River which also offers excellent sightseeing. Laos is an ethnically ''Tai'' country and at different times was either a part of The Kingdom of Siam or alternatively the various Lao Kingdoms [ which previously controlled parts of what are today parts of Thailand ]. Luang Prabang is connected with flights from Bangkok, Sukhothai and Chiang Mai.
- Vientaine is connected with flights from Bangkok and is easily accessable across the bridge over the Mekong River at Nong Khai north of Udon Thani in North East Thailand [ I san ]. In many respects Laos is unchanged from 60 years ago and avoids the international commercial style of activity.
- The main tourist interests are the Lao and French colonial architecture, the natural landscape and the culture and art and crafts of the Lao people. Of particular interest are Pak Ou Caves at Luang Prabang and Wat Sri Saket Wat Pra Keo and Wat Phat Luang at Vientiane. In our Laos travel information and guide we have concerntrated on the
better attractions in the two historical and cultural centers of Laos,
Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
|
|
| UNESCO Listed Luang Prabang As A World Heritage Site |
- A travel information guide is incomplete without highlighting Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is a World Heritage Site as designated by UNESCO in 1995
'' as an outstanding example of the fusion of
traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by
the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its
unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in
the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.'' Approximately
30 of the original 60 Wats of this former royal city of Asia are still
intact today..... Read more here...
|
| The Main Tourist Attractions In Vientiane. |
- The main tourist places of interest in Vientiane are, Wat Phat Luang, Wat Sri Saket, Wat Pra Keo, Wat Ong Tu, Wat In Peng, the French Colonial architecture and the traditional Lao culture and art and architecture.
- Vientiane
was made a capital city in 1563 by King Setthathirat. The site was a
Khmer stronghold up until the 14 C and the area was part of the Khmer Empire
in South East Asia. '' Vientiane '' is a French colonial name for what
the Lao call '' Vieng Chan '' which means '' fortified city of the moon
''. The City survived until 1827 when it was plundered by the Siamese
armies.
- Vientiane was abandoned until 1860 when the French
colonials discoverd its ruins. By the end of the 19 C the French
colonials had reconstructed the City, restored its Temples, created
boulevards and built large colonial style villas.
- Whilst most
Temples in Vientiane date back to the formation of the Lan Xang Tai
Kingdom most were destroyed by the Siamese and only Wat Sri Saket can
now be seen in its original form.
|
|
|
