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Luang Prabang, Laos is one of the most picturesque towns in Southeast Asia. The name literally translates to Royal Buddha image. It’s rich history, beautiful architecture combined with a strong Buddhist monastic community makes it a place all too tempting to stay longer than planned. On my most recent trip to the former royal capital I was fortunate enough to be in time for the country’s most important holiday and festival, Pi Mai or Laos New Year.

Even if your visit is outside of festival time you will be enchanted by one of the most beautifully preserved towns in Indochina full of French colonial architecture.

One of the best places to start your exploration of the town is a walk up the 328 stairs of the highest hill in Luang Prabang-Mount Phou Si, where you can visit the Buddhist temple Wat Chom Si. Here you can see the whole town and the peninsula it sits on between the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers.

There are a few approaches to the top but I chose to start from the staircase across from the Royal Palace Museum and temple exiting on the other side to see Wat Tham Phou si.

Sunset is a popular viewing time so if you don't like the crowds, and it's a tight squeeze at the top, try a walk in the morning.

Phousi translates to sacred hill and is considered the spiritual center of the town. It's believed that the hill was once the home of a powerful naga serpent deity, lending more spiritual significance to the site.

As you near the top of the hill the golden spires of Wat Chom Si come into view. This temple was built in 1804 and has become a symbol to the significance of Luang Prabang's cultural importance to Laos.

The view is not only spectacular but a great way to orient yourself to the city. Seeing the city and it's peninsular feature between the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers I found allowed me to ensure I wouldn't miss any part of the town during my visit.

It’s tempting just to hang out in the old town with it’s amazing selection of cafes and restaurants. But venture out and you’ll see more of the real Laos.

On the way down take the stairs on the other side of the hill that lead to the Wat Phousi Shrine and get your fill of the Buddha in various states of contentment.

If you visit Luang Prabang during the dry season you'll have a chance to cross the Nam Khan River via the bamboo bridge. This iconic symbol of Luang Prabang gets washed away during the wet season and is rebuilt each year by a local family. The small fee to cross the bridge supports this family.

There are also a few atmospheric outdoor restaurants on the other side of the river that are easily reached from the bamboo bridge and some real authentic Luang Prabang neighborhoods.

It's a wonderful setting even more so if you're lucky enough to cross when the monks are leaving the monastery after the morning alms.

Watching Tak Bhat or the morning alms is one of the highlights of a visit to Luang Prabang. Many tourists like to take part in the morning offering of food to the monks but unless you are really familiar with Buddhist rituals and traditions out of respect opt for observing it. Tak Bhat is easily enjoyed from a distance. Getting to close and in the way of the monks is disrespectful and just downright unclassy.

You can easily OD on Buddhism and wats in Luang Prabang as it has the highest concentration of temples in the whole country. One you must visit because of it’s history as a temple of the royal family is Wat Xieng Thong, or Temple of The Golden City. It’s a celebration of art, culture, and the royal family making it one of the most significant temples in all of Laos.

Construction on the site began in 1559. There are over 20 buildings on the ground including shrines, pavilions and residences. Many of the entrances feature carved gilded doors depicting the life of the Buddha. This is not a museum so life, prayer and worship continue on here as it has for hundreds of years.

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