View source for Luang Prabang

{{Short description|District and municipality in Laos
}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Luang Prabang
| native_name                     = {{nobold|ຫຼວງພະບາງ}}
| native_name_lang                = lo
| other_name                      = {{lower|0.2em|Louangphabang}}
| settlement_type                 = [[Districts of Laos|District]] & [[List of cities in Laos|municipality]]
| official_name                   = Luang Prabang District
| image_skyline                   = File:Phou si Luang Prabang Laos プーシーの丘 ラオス・ルアンプラバーン DSCF6777.jpg
| imagesize                       = 
| image_caption                   = Southeast Luang Prabang
| image_map                       = 
| mapsize                         = 
| map_caption                     = 
| image_map1                      = 
| mapsize1                        = 
| map_caption1                    = 
| pushpin_map                     = Laos
| pushpin_label_position          = bottom
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in Laos
| pushpin_mapsize                 = 250
| coordinates                     = {{Coord|19|53|24|N|102|08|05|E|region:LA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type                = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = {{flag|Laos}}
| subdivision_type1               = [[Provinces of Laos|Province]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[Districts of Laos|District]]
| subdivision_type3               = 
| subdivision_type4               = 
| subdivision_name1               = [[Luang Prabang Province|Luang Prabang]]
| subdivision_name2               = Luang Prabang District
| subdivision_name3               = 
| subdivision_name4               = 
| established_title               = Established as [[Muang Sua]]
| established_date                = 698
| established_title2              = Controlled by [[Nanzhao]]
| established_date2               = 709
| established_title3              = [[Khmer Empire|Khmer]] vassal
| established_date3               = 950
| established_title4              = Formation of [[Lan Xang]]
| established_date4               = 1353
| government_footnotes            = 
| government_type                 = Local Committee for World Heritage Louangphabang<ref name=Sengnaly>{{cite web |last1=Sengnaly |first1=Phanthong |title=Conference of Local Committee For World Heritage |url=http://www.luangprabang-heritage.org/index.php/en/more-eng/news-eng/97-conference_en.html |website=www.luangprabang-heritage.org |access-date=16 June 2016 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202010332/http://www.luangprabang-heritage.org/index.php/en/more-eng/news-eng/97-conference_en.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| leader_title                    = President of the Local Committee for World Heritage Louangphabang</ref name=Sengnaly>
| leader_name                     = 
| leader_title1                   = Mayor of Luang Prabang District<ref name=Sengnaly/>
| leader_name1                    = 
| unit_pref                       = Metric
| area_footnotes                  = 
| area_magnitude                  = 
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| area_urban_sq_mi                = 
| area_metro_km2                  = 
| area_metro_sq_mi                = 
| area_blank1_title               = 
| area_blank1_km2                 = 
| area_blank1_sq_mi               = 
| elevation_footnotes             = <ref name= NOAA/>
| elevation_m                     = 305
| elevation_ft                    = 
| population_total                = 55,027
| population_as_of                = 
| population_footnotes            = 
| population_density_km2          = 
| population_density_sq_mi        = 
| population_urban                = 
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| population_blank2_title         = 
| population_blank2               = 
| population_note                 = 
| postal_code_type                = Post Code
| postal_code                     = 06000<ref>{{cite web |title=Laos Postal Explorer |url=http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/il_020.htm |website=pe.usps.com |access-date=19 October 2016 |archive-date=19 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019145639/http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/il_020.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_code                       = 
| website                         = http://tourismluangprabang.org/
| footnotes                       = 
 {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
 |child = yes
 |ID = 479
 |Year = 1995
 |Criteria = Cultural: ii, iv, v
 |Area = 820 ha
 |Buffer_zone = 12,560 ha
 }}
| image_dot_map                   = 
| timezone                        = [[Time in Laos|ICT]]
| utc_offset                      = +7
}}

'''Luang Prabang''' ([[Lao language|Lao]]: [[wikt:ຫຼວງພະບາງ|ຫຼວງພະບາງ]], pronounced {{IPA|lo|lǔaŋ pʰāʔ.bàːŋ|}}), historically known as '''Xieng Thong''' (ຊຽງທອງ) and alternatively spelled '''Luang Phabang''' or '''Louangphabang''', is the capital of [[Luang Prabang province|Luang Prabang Province]] in north-central [[Laos]]. Its name, meaning “Royal Buddha Image,” derives from the [[Phra Bang]], a statue symbolizing Lao sovereignty.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Evans |first=Grant |title=A short history of Laos: the land in between |date=2002 |publisher=Allen & Unwin |isbn=978-1-86448-997-2 |series=Short history of Asia series |location=Crows Nest NSW, Australia}}</ref> Designated a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] in 1995, the city is recognized for blending traditional Lao architecture, European colonial buildings, and over 30 Buddhist temples. The protected area encompasses 33 of its 58 villages, where daily rituals like the morning alms-giving ceremony persist.<ref name="takada">[http://www.isocarp.net/data/case_studies/901.pdf Application of Information and Communication Technology to Promote Sustainable Development A Case Study: Town of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808052327/http://www.isocarp.net/Data/case_studies/901.pdf|date=8 August 2017}} (pdf) Tokyo Institute of Technology, Retrieved 15 June 2016</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Town of Luang Prabang – Map |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/479/multiple%3D1%26unique_number%3D1954 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621131323/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/479/multiple%3D1%26unique_number%3D1954 |archive-date=21 June 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016 |publisher=[[UNESCO]] |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
===Dvaravati city state kingdoms===
{{further|Muang Sua}}
By the 6th century in the [[Chao Phraya River]] Valley, [[Mon people]]s had coalesced to create the [[Dvaravati|Dvaravati kingdoms]]. In the north, [[Haripunjaya]] ([[Lamphun]]) emerged as a rival power to the [[Dvaravati]]. By the 8th century the Mon had pushed north to create city states in Fa Daet (modern [[Kalasin]],  northeastern Thailand); Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) near modern [[Tha Khek District|Tha Khek]], Laos; [[Muang Sua]] (Luang Prabang); and Chantaburi ([[Vientiane]]).  In the 8th century CE, Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) controlled trade throughout the middle Mekong region. The city states introduced [[Therevada Buddhism]] from [[Sri Lanka]]n missionaries throughout the region.<ref name="Viravond">{{cite web |url=http://www.reninc.org/bookshelf/history_of_laos_viravong.pdf |title=HISTORY OF LAOS |author=Maha Sila Viravond |access-date=29 December 2017 |publisher=Refugee Educators' Network |archive-date=3 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403030051/http://www.reninc.org/bookshelf/history_of_laos_viravong.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Manich">{{cite web |url=http://www.reninc.org/bookshelf/history_of_laos_manich.pdf |title=HISTORY OF LAOS (including the history of Lonnathai, Chiangmai) |author=M.L. Manich |access-date=29 December 2017 |publisher=Refugee Educators' Network |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008182646/http://www.reninc.org/bookshelf/history_of_laos_manich.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=seglAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA328 |title=Historical Dictionary of Laos |author=Martin Stuart-Fox |date=6 February 2008 |page=328 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810864115 |access-date=26 February 2021 |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124021606/https://books.google.com/books?id=seglAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA328 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/57571 |title=The That Phanom chronicle : a shrine history and its interpretation |author=Phra Thep Rattanamoli |date=1976 |access-date=27 February 2021 |archive-date=10 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310155835/https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/57571 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|6,7}}<ref>{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bCMgBlhtm8sC |title=Culture and Customs of Laos |date=2009 |first=Arne |last=Kislenko |access-date=26 February 2021 |page=19 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=9780313339776 |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124021606/https://books.google.com/books?id=bCMgBlhtm8sC |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://vietlongtravel.com/news/laos-history/the-mon-and-khmer-kingdoms |title=The Mon and Khmer Kingdoms |date=31 March 2015 |access-date=26 February 2021 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924092038/https://vietlongtravel.com/news/laos-history/the-mon-and-khmer-kingdoms |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Luangphrabang 1897 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|View of Luang Prabang, 1897]]

===Lan Xang period===
Xieng Dong Xieng Thong experienced a period of Khmer [[suzerainty]] under [[Jayavarman VII]] from 1185 to 1191. In 1238 an internal uprising in the Khmer outpost of [[Sukhothai (city)|Sukhothai]] expelled the Khmer overlords. Xieng Dong Xieng Thong in 1353 became the capital of the [[Lan Xang]] kingdom. In 1359 the Khmer king from [[Angkor]] gave the [[Phra Bang]] to his son-in-law, the first Lang Xang monarch [[Fa Ngum]] (1353–1373); to provide Buddhist legitimacy both to Fa Ngum's rule and by extension to the sovereignty of Laos and was used to spread [[Theravada Buddhism]] in the new kingdom. The capital name was changed to Luangphabang, where it was kept, named after the Buddha image.<ref name=Coedes>{{cite book |last=Coedès |first=George |author-link=George Coedès |editor=Walter F. Vella |others=trans.Susan Brown Cowing |title=The Indianized States of Southeast Asia |year=1968 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=978-0-8248-0368-1}}</ref>{{rp|225–226}} Luang Prabang was occupied by the Vietnamese forces during Emperor [[Lê Thánh Tông]]'s [[Vietnamese-Laotian War (1479–80)|1478–1480 expedition against Lan Xang and Lanna]].<ref name="M">Manlch, M.L. (1967) ''History of Laos'', pages 126–129.</ref>

[[File:Market in Luang Prabangpre 1900.png|thumb|right|Market in Luang Prabang, pre-1901]]
In 1707, Lan Xang fell apart because of a dynastic struggle and Luang Prabang became the capital of the independent [[Kingdom of Luang Phrabang]]. When [[France]] annexed Laos, the French recognised Luang Prabang as the royal residence of Laos. Eventually, the ruler of Luang Prabang became synonymous with the [[Figurehead (metaphor)|figurehead]] of Laos. When Laos achieved independence, the king of Luang Prabang, [[Sisavang Vong]], became the [[head of state]] of the [[Kingdom of Laos]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.globalurban.org/GUDMag08Vol4Iss1/YamaguchiVaggione.htm |title=Promoting Conservation through ICT: Luang Prabang |access-date=4 April 2016 |archive-date=12 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312120259/http://www.globalurban.org/GUDMag08Vol4Iss1/YamaguchiVaggione.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

===World War II===
[[File:Damaged Laotian North American T-28D aicraft at Luang Prabang, Laos, in 1967 (110329-F-XN622-002).jpg|thumb|left|Damage caused by a communist ground attack on Luang Prabang airfield, 1967]]
The town was the scene of events during and in the aftermath of World War II and it was occupied by foreign countries during the war ([[Vichy France]], [[Thailand]], [[Imperial Japan]], [[Free France]], and [[Republic of China (1912–49)|Nationalist China]]). Initially the Vichy French controlled the city and lost it to Thai forces following the [[Franco-Thai War]] of 1940–1941. On 9 March 1945, a nationalist group declared Laos once more independent, with Luang Prabang as its capital and on 7 April 1945 2 battalions of Japanese troops occupied the city.<ref name="A Country Study: Laos">Savada, Andrea Matles (editor) (1994) "Events in 1945" [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/latoc.html ''A Country Study: Laos''] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721090309/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/latoc.html |date=21 July 2015 }} Federal Research Division, Library of Congress</ref> The Japanese attempted to force [[Sisavang Vong]] (the King of Luang Prabang) to declare Laotian independence and on 8 April he instead simply declared an end to Laos' status as a French protectorate. The King then secretly sent Prince [[Kindavong]] to represent Laos to the [[Allies of World War II|Allied forces]] and [[Sisavang Vatthana]] as representative to the Japanese.<ref name="A Country Study: Laos"/> Following Japan's surrender to the Allies, Free French forces were sent to reoccupy Laos and entered Luang Prabang on 25 August, at which time the King assured the French that Laos remained a French colonial protectorate.<ref name="A Country Study: Laos"/> In September the Chinese Nationalist forces arrived to receive the surrender of the remaining Japanese forces and set about buying up the Laotian opium crop.<ref name="A Country Study: Laos"/>

===Laotian Civil War===
In April and May 1946, the French attempted to recapture Laos by using paratroops to retake Vientiane and Luang Prabang and drive [[Phetsarath]] and the Lao Issara ministers out of Laos and into Thailand and Vietnam. During the [[First Indochina War]], the [[Viet Minh]] and [[Pathet Lao]] forces attempted to capture the city in 1953 and 1954, but French forces stopped them before they could reach it.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite book |title=At War in the Shadow of Vietnam: U.S. Military Aid to the Royal Lao Government, 1955&nbsp;– 1975 |pages=9–10}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Tourism==

[[File:Lao New Year, parade with river boat.jpg|thumb|right|A riverboat and marchers in the Lao New Year parade in Luang Prabang]]
Among the natural tourism sites are the [[Kuang Si Falls]], [[Tat Sae Waterfalls]], and [[Pak Ou Caves]]. Elephant riding is offered at some sites. [[Phou si|Phou Si]], in the center of the town, has views of the town and river systems. At the end of the main street of Luang Prabang is a night market where stalls sell shirts, bracelets, and other souvenirs. The [[Haw Kham|Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum]] and the [[Wat Xieng Thong]] temple are among the historical sites. The town, particularly the main street, is dotted with smaller wats such as [[Wat Hosian Voravihane]]. Every morning at sunrise, monks walk in a procession through the streets accepting alms offered by local residents. In mountain biking, people bike around the town or to the waterfalls for the day. Down the Mekong River, a 15-minute boat ride from the city centre, Ban Chan (the pottery village)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.luangprabang-laos.com/spip.php?article53 |title=Ban Chan, the pottery village |access-date=13 August 2014 |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124021611/https://www.luangprabang-laos.com/The-pottery-village |url-status=live}}</ref> is another place.

==Gastronomy==
[[File:O-lam.png|thumb|O-lam, a dish in Luang Prabang]]

Local dishes include: [[Or lam]] (O-lam, the favourite dish of Luang Prabang locals), Luang Prabang sausage, mokpa (steamed fish), and [[Kaipen]] made from [[Mekong River moss]] (served fried) with the Luang Prabang's famous [[Jeow bong|Jeow Bong]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lao Food |url=http://www.tourismlaos.org/show.php?Cont_ID=9 |website=Sabaidee Laos |publisher=Tourism Marketing Department Lao PDR |access-date=7 August 2015 |archive-date=5 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905094613/http://www.tourismlaos.org/show.php?Cont_ID=9 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:Luang-Prabang-International-Airport-2017.jpg|thumb|right|Luang Prabang International Airport]]

===Air===
The city is served from [[Luang Prabang International Airport]].

===Road===
Luang Prabang is served by [[Route 13 (Laos)|Route 13]], which connects to [[Vang Vieng]] and [[Vientiane]] to the south, and to Boten in the north. The road is paved. Since 2014, a new road connects Kasi (close to Vang Vieng) to Luang Prabang, allowing the trip to be made in about 3 hours (compared to 5 hours via Route 13). Daily buses run from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, taking 11–13 hours.<ref name=travelfish>''[http://www.travelfish.org/transport/laos/northern_laos/luang_prabang/luang_prabang/all Luang Prabang] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516234030/http://www.travelfish.org/transport/laos/northern_laos/luang_prabang/luang_prabang/all |date=16 May 2008 }}''. Travelfish.org, retrieved 15 February 2011</ref>

Buses regularly travel a route for 14–16 hours.<ref name=travelfish/>

===Rail===
Beginning December 2021, Luang Prabang is served by the [[Vientiane–Boten railway]]. The railway parallels Route 13, and serve as Laos' first major north–south railway line, from [[Boten]] at the Chinese border in the north to Vientiane in the south. The complete journey takes less than 3 hours by train instead of 3 days by road.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Laos–China Railway Project |url=https://laotiantimes.com/2018/02/28/updates-from-the-laos-china-railway-project/ |website=laotiantimes.com |publisher=Vientiane Times |access-date=9 January 2019 |date=28 February 2018 |archive-date=5 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160425/https://laotiantimes.com/2018/02/28/updates-from-the-laos-china-railway-project/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Janssen |first1=Peter |title=China train project runs roughshod over Laos |url=https://asiatimes.com/article/china-train-project-runs-roughshod-over-laos/ |website=www.atimes.com |date=18 August 2018 |publisher=Asia Times |access-date=9 January 2019 |archive-date=13 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013074841/https://asiatimes.com/2018/08/china-train-project-runs-roughshod-over-laos/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Education==
There is a French international school in the city, École francophone de Luang Prabang.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aefe.fr/reseau-scolaire-mondial/rechercher-un-etablissement/laos-luang-prabang-ecole-francophone-de-luang |title=École francophone de Luang Prabang |publisher=[[AEFE]] |access-date=2023-06-16 |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616063322/https://www.aefe.fr/reseau-scolaire-mondial/rechercher-un-etablissement/laos-luang-prabang-ecole-francophone-de-luang |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Climate==

{{Weather box
|location = Luang Prabang, elevation {{convert|305|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020)
|metric first= Y
|single line= Y
|Jan record high C = 39.4
|Feb record high C = 39.5
|Mar record high C = 41.0
|Apr record high C = 44.8
|May record high C = 44.0
|Jun record high C = 40.0
|Jul record high C = 39.0
|Aug record high C = 40.0
|Sep record high C = 38.0
|Oct record high C = 38.6
|Nov record high C = 36.3
|Dec record high C = 36.3
|year record high C = 44.8
|Jan high C = 28.4
|Feb high C = 31.7
|Mar high C = 34.1
|Apr high C = 35.2
|May high C = 34.6
|Jun high C = 33.5
|Jul high C = 32.2
|Aug high C = 32.0
|Sep high C = 32.5
|Oct high C = 31.9
|Nov high C = 29.9
|Dec high C = 27.4
|year high C = 32.0
|Jan mean C = 19.8
|Feb mean C = 22.1
|Mar mean C = 25.2
|Apr mean C = 27.5
|May mean C = 27.9
|Jun mean C = 27.9
|Jul mean C = 27.1
|Aug mean C = 26.9
|Sep mean C = 26.8
|Oct mean C = 25.4
|Nov mean C = 22.5
|Dec mean C = 19.7
|year mean C = 24.9
|Jan low C = 14.7
|Feb low C = 15.3
|Mar low C = 18.3
|Apr low C = 21.6
|May low C = 23.3
|Jun low C = 24.1
|Jul low C = 24.0
|Aug low C = 23.8
|Sep low C = 23.2
|Oct low C = 21.4
|Nov low C = 18.1
|Dec low C = 15.0
|year low C = 20.2
|Jan record low C = 0.8
|Feb record low C = 8.0
|Mar record low C = 9.8
|Apr record low C = 13.2
|May record low C = 17.0
|Jun record low C = 14.0
|Jul record low C = 19.2
|Aug record low C = 14.0
|Sep record low C = 10.8
|Oct record low C = 12.5
|Nov record low C = 6.0
|Dec record low C = 4.3
|year record low C = 0.8
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 17.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 11.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 51.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 102.2
|May precipitation mm = 160.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 199.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 283.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 329.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 176.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 87.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 26.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 25.6
|year precipitation mm = 1472.2
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 2
|Feb precipitation days = 1
|Mar precipitation days = 5
|Apr precipitation days = 9
|May precipitation days = 14
|Jun precipitation days = 15
|Jul precipitation days = 20
|Aug precipitation days = 21
|Sep precipitation days = 15
|Oct precipitation days = 7
|Nov precipitation days = 3
|Dec precipitation days = 2
|year precipitation days = 
|Jan humidity = 82
|Feb humidity = 77
|Mar humidity = 74
|Apr humidity = 76
|May humidity = 81
|Jun humidity = 85
|Jul humidity = 87
|Aug humidity = 89
|Sep humidity = 87
|Oct humidity = 86
|Nov humidity = 84
|Dec humidity = 85
|year humidity = 82.8
|Jan sun = 175.5
|Feb sun = 193.6
|Mar sun = 174.3
|Apr sun = 185.3
|May sun = 184.0
|Jun sun = 131.7
|Jul sun = 106.8
|Aug sun = 119.1
|Sep sun = 158.5
|Oct sun = 185.0
|Nov sun = 169.4
|Dec sun = 168.2
|year sun = 1951.4
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Laos/CSV/Luangprabang_48930.csv |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020 |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |access-date=2 August 2023 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802062605/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Laos/XLS/LuangPrabang.xls |url-status=live }}</ref>
|source 2 = [[NOAA]] (humidity, 1961–1990),<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/LA/48930.TXT |title=Luangphabang Climate Normals 1961–1990 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124021609/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/LA/48930.TXT |archive-date=2023-01-24 |url-status=dead |access-date=24 January 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=global-summary-of-the-day&stations=48930099999&startDate=1700-01-01&endDate=2023-12-31&dataTypes=MAX,MIN,PRCP
| title = Global Surface Summary of the Day –GSOD
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = January 26, 2023
}}</ref> The Yearbook of Indochina (1932–1933)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://seadelt.net/Asset/Source/Document_ID-247_No-01.PDF |title=The Yearbook of Indochina (1932–1933) |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719160127/https://seadelt.net/Asset/Source/Document_ID-247_No-01.PDF |url-status=live }}</ref>
|date=Nov 2011
}}

==Sister cities==
*{{flagicon|MMR}} [[Bagan]], [[Myanmar]] (2009)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/269048,/ |title=unk |website=Earth Times |access-date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=6 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306120903/http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/269048,/ |url-status=live}}{{nonspecific|date=June 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
{{cmn|
* [[Luang Prabang Range]]
* [[Big Brother Mouse]]
* [[Phra Bang]]
* [[Xieng Keo]]
* [[Pak Ou Caves]]
* [[Emerald Buddha]]
* [[Phou Si]]
* [[Khokmanh|Ban Khokmanh]] 
* [[Ban Yang (Laos)|Ban Yang]] 
* [[Ban Thapene]]
* [[Long Lau May]]
* [[Ban Phou Pheung Noi]]
}}

== Gallery ==
{{wide image|Phou si - Mekong River - Luang Prabang Laos プーシーの丘、メコン川 ラオス・ルアンプラバーン DSCF6803.jpg|1200px|View from [[Phou si]] summit facing south-east}}
<gallery class="center" widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:Luang Prabang Takuhatsu ルアンパバーン 托鉢 DSCF7017.JPG|Monks collecting alms at dawn
File:Buddhist_monks_walking_in_front_of_the_temple_Haw_Pha_Bang_in_Luang_Prabang.jpg|Buddhist Temple at Haw Kham (Royal Palace) complex
File:Haw Kham palace (August 2009).jpg|Royal Palace
File:Luang Prabang Primary School.jpg|Primary school
File:LUANG PRABANG MARKET LAOS FEB 2012 (6992417213).jpg|Luang Prabang night market
File:LuangPrabang VatVisounarath4 tango7174.jpg|Buddha images at Vat Visounarath
File:MEEKONG RIVER LUANG PRABANG LAOS FEB 2012 (6943464157).jpg|Boats on the Mekong
File:Pak Ou Caves laos ラオス・パークウー洞窟 DSCF7454.jpg|[[Pak Ou Caves]]
File:Working_at_the_consolidation_of_a_wooden_footbridge_in_Luang_Prabang_-_1_(Side_view).jpg|Landscape with a wooden footbridge crossing the Nam Khan river, where 2 workers are working at the consolidation of this structure, holding a beam during the monsoon
File:Vat Nong Sikhounmuang.jpg|Wat Nong Sikhounmuang
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite journal |last=Berliner |first=David |title=Multiple Nostalgias: The Fabric of Heritage in Luang Prabang (Lao PDR) |journal=Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute |volume=18 |pages=769–786 |publisher=Royal Anthropological Institute |year=2012 |issue=4 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-9655.2012.01791.x |url=https://www.academia.edu/2096881}}
* {{cite book |last=Cavendish |first=Marshall |title=World and Its Peoples: Eastern and Southern Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kte14XIoOCkC |date=September 2007 |publisher=Marshall Cavendish Corporation |isbn=978-0-7614-7639-9 |pages=798–799}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Pengchai |first1=Teerayut |last2=Singkam |first2=Anothai |last3=Nimala |first3=Niti |title=The Creative Process of Developing Identity Through Native Textile Handicraft: The World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang |journal=Social Sciences and Humanities |volume=24 |pages=159–168 |publisher=Pertanika |year=2016 |url=}}
*{{cite journal |last=Platenkamp |first=Jos D. M. |title=The Canoe Racing Ritual of Luang Prabang |journal=Social Analysis: The International Journal of Social and Cultural Practice |volume=52 |issue=3 |publisher=Berghahn Books |year=2008 |url=https://www.academia.edu/40131304}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Luang Prabang}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
* [http://www.luangprabang-laos.com City portal of Luang Prabang on Luangprabang-laos.com]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Luang-Prabang|short=x}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Districts of North Laos}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Laos}}

[[Category:Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Laos]]
[[Category:Luang Prabang| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Luang Prabang Province]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Mekong River]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Laos]]