Sabaidee. (How do you do).
Welcome to Luang Prabang.
Thank you.
It's so great to be back here in Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos.
For this trip, it's so special because I have my local friend here to show me around.
And where are we right now?
We're at the King's Palace - Pa Rajsawang.
King's Palace - Pa Rajsawang.
This is the Must-See place.
Yes.
Everyone around the world who comes to Luang Prabang should definitely come to this place.
Yes.
Alright. Let's go!
'Hoe Pa Bang' or 'Royal Chapel' is the permanent home for Pa Bang, Luang Prabang's most sacred Buddha image.
The King's Palace was built in 1904. Before, it was a Royal Palace.
After the Royal Monarchy, it turned to be a museum.
Also, the other side, they have a theatre showing traditional dance shows about Luang Prabang.
Right.
I saw a postcard. From Pa That Phousi, when we look down from there, we can see this place.
Yes.
And just behind this building, it's Khong. Is it Khong River?
Yes. Mekong River.
So, we should go up Phousi.
Yes.
Hey! Now, we have arrived 'Wat Xiang Thong Ratsavoravihanh'. Alright.
So, Wat Xiang Thong...what does it mean, actually?
'Xieng Thong', it means Golden City.
Golden City. 'Thong' is gold. 'Xiang' is city.
It's like the symbol of Luang Prabang.
Um-hm.
How old is the temple?
The temple was built in the 16th Century. It was built by King Setthathirath.
'Setthathirath', a very famous King of Laos.
But do you know what I remember about this place?
I came here for the first time when I was very young with my friends during the Lao New Year in April.
They call it 'Boon Pee Mai', right?
Boon Pee Mai.
Yeah. It was packed with people around here. And, we threw water to each other.
Yes.
And we prayed. Yeah. Very very nice.
Uh-huh.
Known as the Golden Tree Monastery, 'Wat Xiang Thong' acts as a gateway to Luang Prabang,
as it is strategically situated close to where the Mekong joins the Nam Khan River.
It is famous as a location for the coronation of Lao Kings
and as an important gathering place for significant annual festivities.
Wow! This is really beautiful.
You see the roof.
Although it's not my first time. Always, it never fails to impress me.
Here we are 'Wat Mai'. Wat Mai literally means 'New Temple', but actually it's not new.
It's not.
It looks old.
How important is this temple?
One of the previous Kings built this temple. The last King, I would say.
It was built in the 18th...
18th century?
Yes.
Alright. It is so calm in the morning.
Yes.
So, local people come here.
Yes.
And, they go pray in the 'Sim'. They call Sim?
Uh-huh.
One of the most photographed temples in Luang Prabang,
Wat Mai serves as a temple for Royal Family and long has been the residence of Pa Sungkharat,
the highest Loatian Buddhist Dignitary.
Wow! Probably, this is the biggest stupa in Luang Prabang.
Yes. And the oldest stupa in town.
In town? So, here we are at one of the oldest places.
Yes.
It's the temple?
Yes. It's the temple called 'Visounarath'.
Visounarath.
It was built under the reign of King Visounarath.
I don't see many people...many tourists.
The local people, we used to come here to pray.
uh-huh.
So, it was quiet, not many tourists.
They come here to make a merit, too.
The main attraction of Wat Visoun is the stupa of great lotus built in the 16th century the
The stupa is also referred by locals as a watermelon stupa for its dome resembling a watermelon.
Yok! (Cheers!)...hmm
Wow! Beautiful. This is where Khan River meets Khong River?
yes.
Which way is Khong (Mekong River)?
That is Khong River. This is Khan.
So, Khan is smaller.
And more green (laugh).
What is the 'Sala (Pavilion)' overthere? A temple?
Yes.
And this?
Also a temple.
It's a beautiful day and today I'm here going to cross the river to 'Tam Ting(Ting Caves)',
which is one of the Must-Sees in Luang Prabang.
And now, I have a local friend who will take me around Tam Ting today.
Sabaidee (How do you do).
her name is Nong Pherng' (Sister Pherng).
Sabaidee.
Nong Pherng is a host for a local music program called 'Music Max'
Yes.
Today, you are taking me to Tam Ting (Ting Caves), right?
Yes, today I am taking you to Tam Ting.
Tam Ting is a famous attraction located in Luang Prabang.
'Pak Ou Caves' or 'Tam Ting' are caves overlooking the Mekong River.
The caves are noted for their over 5,000 miniature Buddha images.
Here at Tam Ting, there is one station where you can 'Sieng Soke (Try for Fortune Telling).
When you shake a bamboo with a lot of sticks in. And when one stick comes out,
you just pick up one paper which is kind of a fortune telling.
And then you read it out.
So, in the history, once a year, Lao Kings came here during the Lao New Year in April.
And they had water blessing ceremony for the Buddha images here.
There are about 5,000 Buddha images in here, right?
This is the machine for the blessing ceremony. So, the king will pour water in the Swan-shaped container.
And then the water will flow...and then it will be pouring down to the Buddha image, which is here.
'Kuangsi Waterfalls' or 'Tad Kuangsi' is a three-tier waterfalls about 29 kms south of Luang Prabang.
The water collects in numerous turquoise blue pools as it flows downstream.
Most of the pools are open to swimming.
And these are Must-see places of Luang Prabang. Do you agree or not agree? Please comment below.
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