Luang Prabang is where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers meet. It feels like time stops there. Wat Xieng Thong, the town's main temple, contains a famous "tree of life" mosaic and delicate gilded sculptures that show off an art style that has persisted for hundreds of years. You have to venture out on the water and pass by old riverside distilleries to really get to know this area. Then you can find the calm, illuminated mysteries of the Pak Ou Caves. But the beauty of the area spreads beyond the core of town. You may find it at the busy Phosi Market and in the villages of the Lao Loum, Khmu, and Hmong people who dwell on the side of the mountain. Luang Prabang offers a unique combination of rich culture and untouched natural beauty that will move you. You can rest in the chilly, blue pools of the multi-tiered Kuang Si Falls or learn about the customs of the indigenous tribes.
