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Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang (Lao: ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ, literally: "Royal Buddha Image (in the Dispelling Fear mudra)," pronounced [lǔaŋ pʰra.bàːŋ]), is the capital city of Luang Prabang Province in north central Laos. The city is located at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong River, approximately 300 km (190 mi) north of Vientiane. The population of the city is about 50,000.^[1]

The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. It had also been known by the ancient name of Chiang Thong.^[2] Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The old town centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The main part of the city consists of four main roads on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. The city is well known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Every morning, hundreds of monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms. One of the major landmarks in the city is a large steep hill on which sits Wat Chom Si.