Top 5 Reasons to Holiday in Luang Prabang: Why Luang Prabang is an Underrated Travel Hotspot

Having served as a spiritual epicentre during its hey day, Luang Prabang was also a hubbub of activity due to the royal family's frequent visits and patronage in decades past. Despite its size, Luang Prabang is home to 30 temples and shrines with most occupying various corners of this tiny city including its side streets, mountains and riverside locations. The main temple attraction in the area, however, is the Haw Pha Bang Temple which is located within the Royal Palace compound although Wat Chom Si is an equally popular heritage site that is located atop Mount Phousi. Accessible via a stairwell of 300 steps, the latter is also well-known for the spectacular sunset views it affords from its vaulted location.

Foodies with a passion for Thai and French cuisine will also find Luang Prabang the ideal stopover for a culinary tour. Although the most famous local dishes in Luang Prabang are its sticky rice and rice noodle dishes, the French colonial era also introduced many European flavours and ingredients to the local canon. This is why Laosi baguettes are for sale in nearly every local bakery. While the local culinary school of Laos can best be described as a combination of French and Chinese cuisine, the fusion dishes that are part of Laosi food culture are a combination of other influences apart from these principal culinary styles. Caffeine addicts will also find the city's coffee culture irresistible as Luang Prabang serves up an array of top-notch coffee beverages that are the envy of the continent.

Nature lovers, on the other hand, will be surprised to find that Luang Prabang is a world away from the polluted metropolises synonymous with Asian travel destinations as this corner of Laos is lined with shady trees, paddy fields and lush forests. The city is equally well-regarded among locals for its hiking opportunities as the 3-hour trek to Kuang Si Waterfall is one of the most breathtaking outdoor excursions accessible in all of Laos. Passing by indigenous community villages, paddy fields and verdant orchards, a hiking trip to Kuang Si can also include a stopover at a local bear rescue centre.

Luang Prabang's vibrant local bazaars are another reason why tourists and shopaholics would thrive in this small hamlet as its night markets are famed for its handicrafts and street food delicacies. Easily accessible from Avani+ Luang Prabang Hotel and most other Luang Prabang hotels, these after-dark thoroughfares offer travellers the opportunity to engage with locals while stocking up on keepsakes and enjoying local snacks.

Culture buffs will find Luang Prabang's colourful local festivities a compelling reason to holiday in this corner of Laos as these events also draw locals from around the country. The Lao New Year which takes place in April is one such festival while those who are visiting the area in October can witness the Boun Ok Phansa Festival with its boat parades.