Laos

The land of a thousand elephants

For years, in spite of the charm of Laos, there was little or no tourist activity largely because of the country’s tumultuous history. Decolonization, the Vietnam conflict and a severe communist regime since the 1970s, have prevented Laos from advancing in the direction of globalization as so many of its Southeast Asian neighbors have done. Far from the skyscraper landscape of Bangkok, the country has a seemingly endless tropical forest, rice fields, bamboo plantations, and a fauna that includes elephants, leopards and fresh water dolphins in the ancestral Mekong. The authenticity of this virgin land makes it an ideal retreat for recharging one’s batteries and taking advantage of a pure energy and omnipresent spirituality in an enchanting setting. Luang Prabang, the former royal capital from the14^th century to 1975 when the monarchy was abolished, is the country’s Buddhist spiritual center. This UNESCO world heritage has more than thirty monasteries and temples and a thousand monks in saffron colored robes. It’s here that eco-luxury hotels gradually came into being to accommodate adventurous visitors and offer them an experience worthy of the Lao royal family.

In the heart of the royal capital

In this city steeped in history, every street corner is a journey, beginning with the historic center, located in an enclave bordered by the Mekong and the Nam Khan. It’s here that we find the Royal Palace, now the National Museum, which today contains the treasures of a centuries old civilization. Not far from the palace are Laos’ two most beautiful temples, the Vat Mai and the Vat Xiang Thong, the finest examples of the splendor of Buddhist architecture. These majestic structures are surrounded by an astounding natural setting between the banks of the Mekong and Mount Phousi whose summit is the site of the golden stupa (Buddhist shrine) of That Chomsi. At the foot of its slopes, we find the Dara or day Market and the night market where inhabitants of the city and the mountains come to buy, sell and trade, to the great pleasure of tourists who also take advantage of the center by mingling with the local population.

To add a princely touch to one’s vacation in this mystic city, try the Souvannaphoum House, on the banks of the Mekong, near the historic center, the former residence of the late Prince Souvanna Phouma who was also the prime minister. This colonial residence is a blend of French and Laotian influences.

A wealth of sacred nature

A bit further from the city center, the Residence Phou Vao, in a totally authentic colonial style, offers guests communion with nature, inviting them to relax and admire the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The hotel complex furnishes bicycles so that its visitors can explore the surroundings, after being well-advised by the concierge. He will undoubtedly highly recommend visiting the Kuang Si waterfall to the south of Luang Prabang, whose tumultuous waters cascade down from a height of sixty meters into turquoise blue pools. To complete this journey in the midst of monasteries and mountains, it’s important to understand the importance of the Mekong and spend at least one day sailing in a boat, a canoe or a cruise ship and stopping at the villages on the riverbanks. The ideal itinerary is to go upstream to the Grottes Pak Ou. It’s in this cavern that the local inhabitants religiously deposit broken statues in the midst of candles, since they don’t want to simply throw them away. During the Lunar New Year celebration (Pii Mai) in mid April, crowds of inhabitants sail up the Mekong to wash the statues. These not to be missed festivities are also the occasion to witness a procession of elephants at Luang Prabang, and thus leave the region with fabulous visual memories.