Visitez Luang Prabang, et le reste du Laos

Buddhist Archives

Benolaos — 2026-03-20T06:52:23Z

The visit to the Buddhist Archive of Photography at Vat Souvannakhili opens a unique window on the essence of Luang Prabang's Buddhism, and into the history of Lao photography.

The unique collection of 35.000 photographs taken by the monks of Luang Prabang over more than 120 years survived miraculously over time, and has been digitized in a joint project with the British Library's Endangered Archives Programme since 2006. Its inscription on UNESCO's list Memory of the World is under way.

Organisation of a 1-hour private visit.

You will be welcomed either by artist Hans Georg Berger, the Archive's founder, or by Dr. Khamvone Boulyaphonh, the Director of the Buddhist Archives, a former monk at Vat Saen Sukharam. The visit lasts about one hour.

Mr Berger or Dr Khamvone will give you unique access to selected original photographs, and will personally guide you. This is a very special and meaningful way to learn about the Buddhist civilisation and heritage of Laos. Sala Thammavihan is a small architectural jewel of the town, a monastic building of the 1930s in a charming art déco style.

At its end, we will offer a cup of monastic tea at the verandah of historic Sala Thammavihan, at Vat Souvannakhili, where the Archives are housed.

Your donation helps the Buddhist Archives to continue its research.
Price for a group up to 6 persons: USD 200 (+30usd /pers. up to 20)
Appointing visits : 10:00 to 11.30, 14:00 to 15:30

The Buddhist Archives of Luang Prabang is a non-for-profit-organization of the Buddhist Sangha of Luang Prabang and does not have financial support from the government so far.

View online : Buddhist Archives of Luang Prabang

Garavek - Myths, legends, and folktales

Benolaos — 2024-10-31T09:43:34Z

Garavek is a small company based in Luang Prabang, with the aim of promoting and preserving the local traditional stories – myths, legends, and folktales. Every evening, from 6.30-7.30pm, they present a selection of traditional Lao stories in an intimate thirty seat theatre. The stories are told in English, by a Lao storyteller, with the live musical accompaniment of the khene.

The stories range from Luang Prabang-specific to tales which are popular all over Laos. During the show, the audience will learn the origins, according to folklore, of such local landmarks as Mount Phusi, the Mekong and the Nam Khan River, as well as encountering such legendary characters as Xieng Mieng, the archetypal trickster, and Fa Ngum, the first king of Lan Xang.

The stories are accompanied by khene – a handmade bamboo mouth organ, and the quintessential Lao folk instrument. Unique to the Lao people of Laos and Northeast Thailand, it has formed an important part of traditional Lao culture and identity for generations. The show features a live performance of khene by one of a skilful musicians.

Tickets (around 5usd) are on sale at the theatre from 6pm onwards. Drinks can be purchased inside.

View online : Official website of Story Telling in Luang Prabang

The weaving village of Ban Na Ngan

Benolaos — 2018-01-02T12:57:40Z

The small village of Ban Na Ngan is located near Nong Khiaw (30 minutes drive) after couple of kilometers of dusty road. The village, Thai Lu ethnic group, specializes in the making of cotton products.

The cotton grows in neighbouring fields, and all the spinning, dyeing, including natural indigo is home-made, handmade, and natural.

The village itself is beautiful and should be noted as a Must see village.

The village of the blacksmiths

Benolaos — 2018-01-02T12:52:09Z

Located a short distance from Luang Prabang Airport, the village of Ban Hat Hien specializes in the production of machetes which every inhabitant of Laos has at least one copy. The (secret) story says that steel was made of bombs and other remnants of the war raging around it was a while already ...

Today, by the Chinese competition and the production relocated in the north, the village of the blacksmiths counts hardly more than 4-5 families still carrying out their activity with pride, without any protection (neither spectacles, neither gloves, boots) and especially without illusion about the future. If the achievements are better billed, with a steel of better quality, if each copy and its case are customizable, the demand is no longer the one before.

Many shapes, sizes, weights are available.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/01XAWVP1444

Blacksmith around Luang Prabang

We will go to the village in the morning before 10am. We will not come the days of Van Sin (full and new moon, nor quarter moon).

We will make a tour to the temple, built on the banks of the Nam Khan River, and overlooking the well known place to host the pirogue races.

We can visit the Allen's World page on Ban Hat Hien with comments (in English) and photos ...

Wat Long Khun

Benolaos — 2015-11-13T07:42:00Z

Wat Long Khun (or Long Khoun), the Monastary of the Happy or Blessed Song (Monastère du Chant Bienheureux) sometimes also is called the Monastery of the Willow Stream. The wat is attractively sited on a 1.5 hectare (3.7 acre) flat area at the top of a long stairway leading from the river's edge on the right bank of the Mekong. It is located almost directly across the river from Wat Xieng Thong.

The monastery historically had important ties with the royal family of Luang Prabang. From its beginnings Wat Long Khoun served as a retreat center for spiritual revitalization. It was traditional practice that the new king-designate spend three days there in ceremonial bathing and meditative retreat before returning across the Mekong to the embarcadero of Wat Xieng Thong on the eve of his formal coronation. With the dissolution of the monarchy, however, the monastery was abandoned and fell into disrepair, as did the other wats on the right bank. The Lao Department of Museums and Archeology and the École française d'Extrême-Orient carefully restored the complex the mid-1990s using traditional materials and techniques.

The Luang Prabang style sim has two sections of almost equal size that are set on a low platform. The rear and older half is the sim proper and dates from the 18th century. It has some pleasant and sometimes vibrant interior jataka murals depicting the various lives of the Buddha. Unfortunately many are in poor condition because of moisture seeping into the building and from the years of neglect following the end of the monarchy. There doubtless also was deliberate vandalism from the revolutionary years of the mid-1970s, as one can see numerous gouges in the murals. Perhaps it is fortunate, however, that they have not been inexpertly repainted as has been the case in some of the other sims.

The front section is an extended portico added during the reign of King Sisavonvang in 1937. It has attractive gilded lotus-capped columns and a nicely carved wooden pediment with floral spirals and graceful figures with pointed tiaras. Under the portico and on the facade of the sim, one unexpectedly finds two historic and large bearded Chinese guardians flanking the main entry.

The wat also contains a rich variety of other structures. Most of were restored in the mid-1990s. There are six kutis, living quarters for the monks. They are of mixed traditional wooden styles and a number are raised on customary pilings. The earlier masonry stairs were reincorporated into most of these buildings. There is also a long narrow windowless structure near the sim that served as a meditation room for kings, their male relatives, monks and others.

One final short note about the name of the wat. Hans Georg Berger, in his valuable volume on the rituals of Luang Prabang, recounts a legend that suggests that the two hills opposite the city on the right bank of the Mekong represent a young girl leaning against a young man. Wat Long Khoun (which may be translated as a flatland near rivers and female abdomen) is next to her abdomen.

Text from oriental Architecture

View online : Vat Long Khun, by Oriental Architecture

The elephant conservation center

Benolaos — 2014-12-02T05:06:00Z

The Elephant Conservation Center hosts Laos' first hospital dedicated to elephants that are victims of logging accidents or affected by diseases.

Located in Sayabouly (3 hours by road from Luang Prabang) the center is staffed with an international team of elephant vets and offers free veterinary care services, an emergency unit, a breeding center, a mahout vocational center and the most extensive elephant information center in country.

The Elephant Conservation Center is not just another elephant camp. It provides a global approach to the resolution of various problems striking the last elephants of Laos. Through a dedicated team of international conservationists and vets, programmes are implemented on site and beyond. ElefantAsia, an internationally recognised organisation, runs Laos' elephant conservation programme from the facility. A true private-public partnership, the Elephant Conservation Center cooperates with multiple conservation organisations around the world.

You can sponsor an elephant. Here are the animals who need your help : http://www.elephantconservationcenter.com/project/sponsor-an-elephant/

The Center proposes several way of visit :

1day visit, beginning at 8:30 in Sayaboury

Guided visit of the Center with veterinarians
Interacting with elephants
Lunch
Discover the Nursery
Elephant Bath

3 Days / 2 Nights Package

Short boat trip on the Nam Tien lake
Guided visit of the Center with veterinarians
Interacting with elephants
Walks with elephants and explore the forest
Discover the Nursery
Follow the elephants to their night resting place.
Elephant Baths
Sunset cruise on the lake

6 Days / 5 Nights Eco Experience

This package is your gateway to the Elephant World! During the week, you will share the life of a mahout and learn the basics of this centuries-old craft. Activities include support work at the Center and hospital; feeding the elephants; assisting the mahouts in all phases of their working day. An in-depth encounter with the Giants of Laos. It is possible to extend your stay on completion of your first week. You will then become a long-term volunteer (two weeks up to a month).
A special experience that gives you the real contact with the pachyderms, full of strength, full of love and fidelity.

See more details on the official website, see below.

View online : Website

The institut Français of Luang Prabang

Benolaos — 2014-09-03T08:41:17Z

The French Institute of Luang Prabang is active in both the linguistic and the cultural fields. It offers 3 sessions of 50 hours classes in French and Lao, in group or private, for children, teenagers and adults. Its multimedia library proposes access to books, magazines and computers. The Institute also offers cultural events, painting or photo exhibitions, conferences, shows and children cinema.

The institut Français in Laos :

The Institut français in Laos is the only cultural cooperation institution belonging to an embassy in Laos. Created in 1993 as a linguistic service within the embassy, it was inaugurated by Jacques Chirac in its current premises on 14 January 1994 as a French Language Centre. In January 1995, it became a financially independent institution as a Cultural and Linguistic Cooperation Centre.

Through the creation of the Institut Français, the government wished to gather within one same agency the promotion of France external cultural action as regards artistic exchanges – performing arts, visual arts, architecture – , books, cinema, French language, knowledge and ideas diffusion. As such, it is developing a new program focused on scientific culture.

Part of the Institut Français worldwide network and branch of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs for France external action, the Institut français in Laos replaces the association Cultures France in the form of an EPIC (Établissement public à caractère industriel et commercial), with a bigger range and means of action. The Institut Français in Laos substitutes itself for Vientiane French Language Centre and Luang Prabang Lao-French Cultural Centre though it keeps the same structures, services and staff at the disposal of the public and the students.

The Institut Français continues welcoming foreign cultures in France through the organisation of seasons or festivals and cooperating with the southern countries, notably by administering the Fonds Sud cinema, a device supporting southern cinema, in partnership with the National Centre of Cinematography and the moving image. It develops a program of international residencies in France and abroad.

View online : Official website of Institut Français

1-day handicraft journey

Benolaos — 2014-07-04T10:21:00Z

Luang Prabang is the capital of arts, and a centre place for handicraft in Laos. We propose 1-day journey, assisted by a guide, around handicraft thematic. First, choose a morning training with a professional

Blacksmith: create from scratch your knife or local machete
Bamboo work: weave your basket or your case
Local hunting: make a crossbow
Embroidery: make the famous Hmong slippers
Fishing: learn and practice the local technique
Pottery: learn, practice, create
Local foods: cooking class (join-in tour, see details)
The rice: learn, practice and taste (join-in tour, see details)
Lao Wine: Making Lao Hai, the sticky rice wine of the Khmu ethnic
Local paper: make your lamp in Saa paper (afternoon)
Weave or dye silk: a 1-day training

The other visits

Discover the weaving villages of Ban Xang Khong
Explore the weaving village of Ban Phanom
Visit the Ock Pop Tok weaving living centre
Cross the Mekong and visit the pottery village
Have a look at the local Lao bakery cooking the local bread

Pick-up time at your hotel: 8am
End of the journey: 5pm

Included:

Minivan (a/c), privatized, with chauffeur or local open-air tuktuk
Professional worker teaching for 1/2 day (depending on chosen option)
English speaking guide (or other language)
Entry fees
2 refreshing towels & - 2 mineral bottles / pers.

Tariffs:

Depend on the option, and the chosen language of the guide

Phousi Mountain & That Chomsi

Benolaos — 2013-09-02T18:48:00Z

Built in 1804 during the reign of King Anourouth and ideally located at the top of Mount Phousi (in the heart of the town), Wat That Chomsi has become a symbol of Luang Prabang's spiritual significance to Laos. The Stupa is reachable after climbing the 300 steps when all the way up the hill consists of various temples, beautiful shady trees and a magnificent view of the river. At half way up the hill there is Wat Tham Phousi Shrine that consists of a big–bellied Buddha snuggled in a grotto. The temple also consists of another Buddha statue in a reclining position.

A terrace at the foot of the stupa offers an 360° panoramic view of the town. A MUST DO, especially in the evening, during the sunset, when the golden Stupa reflects the last light rays on one of its face.

During the Pimai Festival, woman carry flower offerings up the stairs and leave as offerings at the foot of the stupa.

One of the most interesting aspects of Mount Phousi lies in the legend which surrounds it. Tradition has it that at the site of the sacred hill there used to be a deep pit that led to the centre of the earth. Helped by villagers, a monk went down into the pit and found an immense treasure. The villagers seized the treasure and buried the monk alive by sealing the entrance to the pit. However, armed with magical charms, the monk succeeded in extricating himself after defeating the seven guardians of the treasure. News of this murder attempt reached the ears of the king of Luang Prabang, who punished the villagers by condemning them to take turns in beating drums, gongs and cymbals every three hours to stop the dragons from disturbing mankind. This practice is still carried out today at nearby Wat Thum Thao.

Wat Visoun (Visounnalat)

Benolaos — 2013-09-02T13:41:00Z

Built in 1512 or 1513, rebuilt in 1896-98

Wat Visounnalat was originally built during the reign of King Wisunarat (or Vixoun, 1501-1520) in 1513 (some suggest 1512) and represents the earliest style, sometimes referred to as Luang Prabang Style I, of Lao temple architecture. This style also includes the sims of Wat That Luang and Wat Mai. Wat Wisunalat is Luang Prabang's oldest operating temple. As with the sims of most Lao wats, there are multiple roof structures. In the Style I form the first and second roofs extend around the entire perimeter of the structure. Except for the sim at Wat Mai, which was embellished by two additional gable roofs and two roofed side galleries, the style evokes simplicity, since the sim employs neither the high peaks of the gable nor the dramatic low sweeping roofs of many of the other sims of Luang Prabang. Located and adjoining Wat Aham to the southeast, it was probably built on the rice fields of the guardian spirits of the city (devata luang), Pu No and Na No (Phou Nheu and Nha Nheu). The sacred Prabang image was housed in the sim from 1513 until it was taken to Vientiane in 1707.

The original highly ornate wooden sim was a spectacular example of Lao craftsmanship at its finest and was one of the most imposing religious structures of old Luang Prabang. It had a double roof with the upper roof raised high above the lower roof. It was over 118 ft. (36m) long and 59 ft. (18m) wide; perhaps 4,000 trees were used in its construction. Each of the twelve pillars supporting the roof was almost 100 ft. (30 meters) high. There were twenty-one windows with turned wooden balustrades. Louis Delaporte's engraving of its appearance in the 1860s is included in the series of photographs that follow on this site and shows the unique character of the sim. Most of the partitions of the original building were carved wood, and the exterior, as portrayed in the engraving, made it one of the most beautiful in Luang Prabang. It also housed a major collection of rich religious objects and other "objets d'art". Much of the sim and the city were destroyed during the invasion of the Chinese Haw Black Flags marauders in 1887.

The sim was rebuilt between 1896 and 1898 and during the reign of King Sakkarin Kamsuk (r. 1894-1903). The style was somewhat to the old sim with its numerous massive wooden beams, window placement and style of the roof, albeit the major part of the structure was brick and plaster in place of the wood. The window balustrades attempt to capture the flavor of the older turned wooden balustrades of the original sim. The sim today continues its existence as a valuable of museum religious art with numerous centuries old Buddha statues in bronze and gilded and unadorned wood, ordination precinct stones and other religious objects.

Another important and prominent feature of the wat is its unique That Pathoum, or Stupa of the Great Lotus, in the front and northeastern side of the sim. It is known more popularly as That Makmo, the "Watermelon Stupaï" because of its rounded dome. The dome stylistically reflects a Sinhalese influence and is the only stupa of such a shape in Laos, and perhaps even in Cambodia or Vietnam. Originally erected between 1514 and 1515, it was destroyed during the Haw Black Flag incursion in 1887. Inside were numerous ancient Buddha images. Many were destroyed; a number are in the National Palace Museum, and some are in the sim itself. Its reconstruction was not seriously undertaken until the late 1920s, over thirty years after the reconstruction of the sim, and was completed in 1932. The stupa sets on a number of different square tiers and has a Lao-Buddhist style Usnisa crown at its top.