How many temples do you think Luang Prabang has? This city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its many temples. Today we are visiting Wat Khokphap.
Luang Prabang is known for blending traditional Lao architecture. You can also see European colonial buildings. There are over 30 Buddhist temples here. Daily rituals persist in many villages. One such ritual is the morning alms giving.
Luang Prabang has been settled for over 1200 years. It sits where the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers meet. It has been the capital of ancient and modern kingdoms. Its past names include Muang Sua, Xieng Thong and Lane Xang. The name Luang Prabang comes from the Pha Bang. This is a revered Buddha image. It is now at the National Museum.
Luang Prabang is famous for its temples. You can see traditional architecture and colonial buildings. The natural beauty of the province also draws visitors. The city welcomes visitors but remains a vital hub. It is important for politics, education and trade. This is true for the diverse cultures of Northern Laos.
The daily markets are very important to Luang Prabang. You can find fresh wild mushrooms there. They come from nearby mountains. You will also see hand-woven textiles. There are also distinctive local dishes. These markets are as important as temples like Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Mai. Souphanouvong University is as important as the National Museum. Slow boats still travel the Mekong River. Jets land at the international airport. The city is shaped by history and tradition. However, it is not constrained by them.
Luang Prabang Province is in northern Laos. It borders several other provinces. These include Oudomxay, Phongsaly and Houaphanh to the north. Vientiane and Xayabouly are to the south. Xieng Khouang is to the east.
The province has over 400000 people. There are 8 distinct ethnic groups. The Kmhmu are the largest group at 44%. The Hmong are second at 16%. Lowland Lao people make up 39%. They mostly live in lowland valleys and Luang Prabang town.
People have lived in Luang Prabang since 8000 BC. The first Lao kingdom was Lane Xang. King Fa Ngum founded it in the 14th century. He unified the lands of Xieng Khuang and the Khorat Plateau. The city was first called Muang Swa. Then in 1357, it was renamed Maung Xieng Dong Xieng Thong. Soon after, King Fa Ngum received the Phra Bang. This golden Buddha image was a gift from the Khmer monarchy. The city then became known as Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang was the capital of Lane Xang until 1560. King Setthathirath moved the capital to Vientiane. However, Luang Prabang remained the main religious center. Western emissaries first contacted the city in the mid-17th century. This was during the reign of King Surigna Vongsa. After his death in 1694, Lane Xang split into three kingdoms. These were Vientiane, Champasak and Luang Prabang.
In the late 19th century, black flag bandits attacked Luang Prabang. They destroyed many sacred Buddha images and temples. They also ruined historical documents.
King Sisavang Vong launched restoration projects. This occurred between 1904 and 1959. Many of these projects are still visible today. French-influenced buildings began to appear in the late 1800s. They added to the mix of Lao, Tai Lue, Burmese, Chinese and Tai architecture. Wat Khokphap is one of the temples that show this rich history. It connects to the deep Buddhist beliefs. These beliefs are intertwined with the culture.