Luang Prabang is a popular destination for travelers not only for its impressive architecture and peaceful atmosphere, but also for its activities.. This beautiful city of Laos offers magnificent natural scenery, boat tours on the Mekong River, caves and waterfalls, 20. Its villages and tribes, which are stubbornly still standing as if they were living in the past century, are waiting to be visited.
The yellow, orange, red, pink colored villas built by the French in colonial architecture in the 1920s; It offers an impressive atmosphere at night with its illuminations.. When the river flows on both sides of the city, it looks like a peninsula.. The city is green with Bodhi, coconut and palm trees that adorn the streets along the riverside.. Luang Prabang was ranked first in the list of Must-See Places prepared by the New York Times Newspaper in 2008.. The city, which is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is home to nearly 70 temples and more than 2000 Buddhist monks. mahout) possible to learn. The massage and SPA culture in the city is worth exploring on its own and taking a day off.. Also, daily lessons can be taken at cooking schools to explore Thai cuisine.
Transportation in the city is mainly provided by bicycles and motorcycles.. There is no traffic problem as the use of automobiles is very low.. Cycling in this historical city established on this peninsula between two rivers has been my preferred activity.. Because it’s very easy to cycle around here.. There is always a reason for you to take a break.
I bought a tour to visit the area from where I rented a bike (300000KIP, 68TL). Actually, my aim was to rent a motorcycle and explore the surroundings and do the activities alone, but even though I visited a few agencies, they did not have a motorcycle.. At the same time, the prices were ridiculously high.. While the average price in other cities does not exceed $ 7-10, I decided to join the tour without having to wait the next day, when I was given a price of close to $ 50 here.
They were picked up from the hotel at 08.30 in the morning.. The group of six people drove through the dust in a pickup truck and arrived at the elephant safari farm, half an hour away.. In groups of three, we took our place on 2 elephants and started our walk in the forest.. Elephants looked quite old. When I asked our guide the age of the elephants, it is impossible not to be surprised when the answer I got was 40.
I had done an elephant safari in Thailand before, compared to the elephants at that time, the current ones were quite small.. While we were walking around the forest, everyone took turns sitting on the elephant’s back and neck.. Even though it seemed like it would not be able to hold on at first and would slip over the head at any moment, then we got used to it easily.
After the elephant safari, we went to the Mekong River and got on a boat from there.. If you want to cross this river yourself, the fee you have to pay is 10000KIP, 2.5TL). Our boat brought us to Pak Ou Cave on the opposite bank of the river.. This cave, which is also an ancient temple, is now overflowing with visitors.
It is also one of the most visited places in Luang Prabang.. The cave consists of two parts.. First we visited the western part. Buddha statues were located in this large cave.
In the other cave, called Tam Ting, there are thousands of Buddha statues, large and small.. Many of these were carved from wood and then covered with gold filaments.. Many of the statues were made after the 18th century.. According to the local tribes with ancient beliefs, these caves are thought to be the home of the spirits of the rivers.
16. In the 19th century, Laotians believed in spirits before they adopted Buddhism.. Many tribes still in northern Laos are non-Buddhists but have spiritual beliefs.. Until 1975, the people and king of Luang Prabang made pilgrimages to the cave every Laotian new year.. We walked around the village, watching how whiskey is made from brass.. You can also find a wide variety of textile products to buy gift textile products.
This famous Laos whiskey is sold at the stalls in front of almost every house in the village.. Snakes, scorpions, centipedes, centipedes and reptiles that I can’t identify were placed inside the whiskey bottles.. One of the stands here tasted these whiskeys.. Among the whiskeys with a very high alcohol content and a sweeter taste, I preferred the snake one.. We went to Kuang Si Park, which is 29 km south of the city. When you come to this park alone, you have to pay 20000KIP as an entrance fee.. There is an Asian Sun Bear conservation center near the entrance of the park.. Abducted or injured bears that have been removed from the natural environment are being reintroduced here.
We moved to Kuang Si Fa Waterfalls (Kwang Si). The dazzlingly beautiful waterfalls curling through the lush green trees and flowing over the limestone rocks with their mesmerizing appearance and turquoise color are an unmissable place for both watching and swimming.
30 km from Luang Prabang. Kuang si Waterfall, located in the south, is a real natural wonder.. The waterfalls, coming from the depths of the forest, curling through the lush trees, flowing on the limestone rocks with their mesmerizing appearance and turquoise color; It is dazzlingly beautiful.
Not only at one point, but at several points of the river, beautiful waterfalls and ponds were formed.. It takes a short time to get used to the cold water that makes you shudder when you first swim, and then you just have to enjoy it.
You can witness various acrobatic images of crazy young people in the section of the waterfall that hosts the deepest part.. I am sure that those who hang themselves from the tree with a rope like Tarzan and somersault into the water, drop themselves into the turquoise water 3-4 meters below from the highest point of the waterfall, will excite you.
After a day full of activities, Luang Prabang I was watching the sunset from my table by the Mekong river with Laos beer in hand.
Day 576: Laos:9 Luang Prabang, 1 March 2012
