Standing on the banks of the mighty Mekong, Luang Prabang is the third largest town in Laos, with a population of around 20,000. Hard to believe when you stand on its quaint main street and look around - it's a picture of sleepy provincialism apparently lost to the world. However, word is spreading, and more and more people are coming to see what the fuss is all about. Most of them leave convinced that Luang Prabang was the highlight of their tour.
So what do you do while you’re here? Well, not very much, really. The old town is impossibly pretty and it’s exceedingly easy to while away 3 or 4 days pottering about. You’ll find gorgeous cafés, shimmering temples and the Mekong flowing serenely by.
And if time's on your side, why not go off the beaten track to the lush countryside of northern Laos? 85% of Laos is forested hill and mountain, and in the tranquil north you'll find quiet riverside villages overlooked by craggy green mountains, and jungle that's home to remote Akha, Hmong, Ikhos and Khmu hill tribes.