Luang Prabang, an ancient capital of Laos with a thousand years of history, is famous for its unique temple architecture and Buddhist atmosphere. The residents here have believed in Buddhism for generations and lived a leisurely, peaceful, uncontested life. Shang is located in the Mekong River basin which gives it beautiful natural scenery, attracting tourists from all over the world to come to Luang Prabang to feel the elegance of this city.
Laos has a tropical and subtropical monsoon climate. The rainy season is from May to October, and the dry season is from November to April. The annual average temperature is about 26°C. Luang Prabang is now mid-February. The highest temperature during the day is 29°C, morning and evening temperature is 11°C, the temperature difference between day and night is large, and the sun is shining at noon. Wearing shorts, shorts, and sandals are the most suitable to wear. The temperature is low and accompanied by a slight cool breeze, a coat is required.
We have a group of two cars and six people. We started from Guiyang and headed to Luang Prabang by car during the New Year holiday.
- Self-driving routes and pre-trip preparations
- Vehicle safety inspection to ensure that the vehicle maintains its best condition.
- Certificates, driver's license, driving permit, passport, ID card, student ID, etc.
- Autumn and summer clothes, shoes, hats, light sports shoes, it is best to bring a pair of sandals (Luang Prabang in February, the highest temperature during the day is 29~31℃).
- Sunscreen, anti-mosquito water, sunshade cap, commonly used medicines, band-aids and other spare parts.
- Prepare some snacks and fruits to eat on the road.
- Mobile phone and charger, the driver's mobile phone to download Google maps. Laos The communication network card will be purchased after entering Laos.
- Exchange foreign currency, Luang Prabang When you book a hotel, you are prompted to check out in US dollars, and the three-night accommodation fee is exchanged for 600 US dollars (RMB 3812 yuan). The Lao currency will be exchanged for 3,000 yuan at Mohan Port.
I entered Laos from Laos Customs. It was already 12 noon. I went to a shop on the street to buy a Laos internet card, purchased 20,000 kip, and opened a 7-day unlimited flow recharge card with 50,000 kip, just like the recharge cards used in China before Follow the instructions on the card, dial a customer service number and enter the password. The Laos internet card is activated and recharged successfully. The wireless network problem is solved. Open the mobile Google navigation. I walked along Highway 13 to the south for about 10 kilometers. When passing a village, there was a police car with flashing lights parked on the side of the road, and there were policemen on duty. The policeman motioned us to stop. When I pulled over and lowered the window, the policeman stood outside and saluted the inside of the car. He smiled and said "Sai bai di", which I could understand in Lao. "Hello", and then the police said in a rather blunt Chinese language that they wanted to check the vehicle ID, so I handed him the information bag with the formalities. The police went through the customs formalities and put the documents in the envelope I took out the insurance policy and took a look, and the information bag was quickly returned and released smoothly. As long as the procedures are complete, there is no such thing as the legendary Lao police gluttony of tips. I feel that Lao police are very polite when they are on duty.
The distance from Bo Ding to Luang Prabang is 280 kilometers, and it takes more than 7 hours to drive. Highway 13 is asphalted, there are many S-curves, and there are many Panshan roads. Along the way, it passes through the three towns of Nadui, Muang Sai and Ba Meng. , Highway 13 also forks in these three towns. The first two forks turned left, and the last fork at Bamun was a giant turn to the right. After that, walk straight ahead to Luang Prabang.
From Boding to Mengsai, you can see the China-Laos railway construction project under construction along the way. There are also many cars on the road, and overall it is still very smooth. There are many gas stations along the way. There is one gas station almost every 20 kilometers. Generally, there are toilets in the gas station. If you need convenience on the way, you can enter the gas station to solve the problem. Some gas station toilets charge 2000kip per person, and many do not charge.
Arrived at the destination Luang Prabang at 8pm. Due to the poor network signal in Laos, it took a bit of trouble to find a booked hotel. After going around the hotel several times, I went in from the alley opposite to the supermarket to find the hotel. Fortunately, a parking space for our two cars was reserved at the entrance of the hotel, and we checked in smoothly after we confirmed the room at the hotel.
- The Capital of Buddhism-Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is located in north-central Laos. The Mekong River flows to the west of the city, and the Namkham River flows to the northeast of the city. The old city is between the two rivers. Laos is a country where all people believe in Buddhism. Luang Prabang is the Buddhist center of Laos. There are many temples and pagodas in the city. There are more than 30 temples. The residents believe in Buddhism and it is a veritable capital of Buddha.
Luang Prabang has a long history. In the middle of the 8th century, Khunluo established the Lancang Kingdom, which was designated as the royal capital. According to legend, in the 1450s, the king at that time received a 1.3-meter-high Prabang Golden Buddha from his father-in-law, Cambodia, and regarded this statue as the "protector of the kingdom." In 1560, after moving the capital to Vientiane, the Prabang Buddha remained here as the town's treasure, and the city was renamed Luang Prabang, which means "the capital of Prabang Buddha".
Luang Prabang
There are three main streets in the old city of Luang Prabang, one is Chunkham Road on the west side of the Mekong River, where there are many open-air restaurant stalls and bars;
One is the Kingkitsardath Road (Kingkitsardath Road) along the east side of the Nankang River, and the mountain pass on the Shandong side of Pusi is also on this road;
The Sisavangvong Road and Sakkaline Road in the middle are the most famous streets in the old city of Luang Prabang. Xiantong Temple, Temple of Gods, Palace Museum, Mai Buddha Temple are all on these two roads. A road is actually a road, and the latter is an extension of the former. Opposite the Royal Palace is the mountain climbing entrance on the Shanxi side of Phu Si. There are many French buildings on this road, and there are also many hotels, restaurants and bars. It is the main section of early morning donation. Luang Prabang’s night market is also on the southern section of this road.
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang Food Map (Go to web picture)
Luang Prabang
The tutu car is a double car modified by a tricycle. There are two benches on both sides of the car. It can seat 5 or 6 people. The most important means of transportation in Luang Prabang is equivalent to a local taxi. After we arrive in Luang Prabang The car has been parked in the hotel, and the main way to go out is basically on foot. The tutu car has also been taken several times, each time with 6 people. The price ranges from 40,000 to 50,000, and you can bargain.
Luang Prabang
Every morning monks alms along the street is a great sight. The believers who were waiting for alms sat down the street. When the monks in line arrived, the believers gave glutinous rice and other food to the monks.
Giving ceremony
The next morning, at 6 o'clock, we went out to see the charity. The hotel we stayed in was located in the old city, and it only took ten minutes to walk to the Shenfo Temple.
Giving ceremony
Every morning, the monks set off from the temple where they live, carrying rice bowls on their shoulders, and marching to the streets to receive food from the believers as a ration for the day. Luang Prabang’s early morning donation has become a sight for sightseeing.
Giving ceremony
If tourists want to participate in the donation, there are vendors selling sticky rice across the road to provide food for cloth application.
Giving ceremony
Most of the people who participated in the donation at the entrance of Shenfo Temple were from domestic tour groups, occupying a long section of the street. After the monk walked here to receive food, he could basically return home full of food. If the monk receives more food than one day's food intake, the monk will put the extra food in a box on the side of the road. Every day, a special staff will pull the food away from the box, which is estimated to be sent to a social welfare institution. The place.
Giving ceremony
Buddhism culture was first introduced to Laos in the 8th century, until the establishment of the unified kingdom of Lancang in the middle of the 14th century, the King of Lancang introduced Hinayana Buddhism from Cambodia. Since then, Buddhism has gradually become the state religion of Laos.
Giving ceremony
In Laos, from the nobility to the common people, a man must become a monk once in his life, usually for a few months, at least three to five days, in order to receive Buddhist practice.
Giving ceremony
Xiangtong Temple (Wat Xieng Thong)
Xieng Thong Temple is one of the most famous temples in Luang Prabang. The main hall is built on several levels of platforms. 22 symmetrical small roofs with a layered structure form a large sloped roof, which can withstand heavy rain erosion in the tropical monsoon climate. It can keep the roof ventilation and heat dissipation, even in the cool sun, can still keep the hall cool. From its construction to the present, Xiangtong Temple has experienced several generations of worship and admiration. With its unique architectural imprint, the ancient temple records the history of the sea and continues the endless incense, demonstrating the architectural art and wisdom of Laos.
Xiantong Temple
Xiangtong Temple has three gates: east, south, and north. The east gate is set on Sakkaline Road. It is a small gate shaped like a white pagoda. The north and south gates are wider. The north gate has several steps, the south gate and the laneway. Communicate. After entering the gate, I saw a workbench with tickets for 20,000 kip. When entering the temple, visitors are required to dress with no shoulders on the top and knees on the bottom. If the tourist dress does not meet the requirements, there are aprons for rent at the ticket office, and the rent is 40,000 kip.
Xiantong Temple
The rented apron works well after being wrapped.
Xiantong Temple
The courtyard in the Xiangtong Temple is very large, and I feel very empty when entering the courtyard. A picture in front of the central building of Xiengtong Temple is a must.
Xiantong Temple
The front porch of the Buddha hall with a beam-like structure is about 1/5 of the front porch. Visitors or believers must take off their shoes to show respect before entering the temple. Sitting on the steps of the temple is also very pleasant to bask in the sun.
Xiantong Temple
There are small temples and pagodas around the temple.
Xiantong Temple
The back wall of the Buddhist hall, with a red background as the background, is a picture of "The Tree of Life".
Xiantong Temple
The branches of life are luxuriant, with trees as the main symbol of life. The walkers, birds, and beasts in the painting are like metaphors for the symbiosis of creatures and all things. The golden Buddha and the altar on the top of the tree interpret Zen. When visiting this place and looking at this "Tree of Life", everyone should have a different understanding.
Xiantong Temple
The whole painting is inlaid with colored stones, the colors are gorgeous and will last forever.
Xiantong Temple
Buddhist pagodas, scripture halls, and small temples are distributed around the temple. Xiangtong Temple is a typical representative of Luang Prabang's temple architecture in terms of layout, house structure, architectural shape, interior and exterior decoration, and altar layout.
The drum pavilion stands on the side near the south gate. The graceful sound of morning bell and evening drum sounded from here.
The painted murals on the temple walls reflect the daily life of the locals. From the content of the picture, there are many similarities in the living habits of the Lao people and the Dai people in Xishuangbanna.
The side walls of the Buddhist hall are pasted with Buddhist legends in gold.
In the inner hall of the Buddhist hall, a golden gate is set with golden murals shining brightly. Coincidentally, Laos beautiful women took artistic photos here, dressed in traditional costumes, thick and delicately decorated, and graceful, revealing the unique temperament of Southeast Asian girls.