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About
Luang prabang
Even though often referred to as
the Land of a Million Elephants, Laos borrowed this title from the
translation of Lane Xang - the kingdom that, over six hundred
years ago, spread throughout present day Laos, southern China and
northeastern Thailand. The capital of Lane Xang was Luang Prabang,
a name derived from the kingdom's palladium - the gold Phra Bang
Buddha.
The Phra Bang, an 83cm, gold image of Buddha dispelling fear,
was cast in Sri Lanka between the 1st and 9th centuries. It
arrived in Lane Xang from Angkor in 1353 after its king, Fa Ngoum,
asked his father-in-law, Jayavarman Paramesvara, the Khmer king,
to help him spread Theravada Buddhism throughout his new kingdom.
It became the kingdom's palladium, and remains a revered
devotional object of the Lao people.
While housed in Vientiane,
Siamese invaders twice looted the Phra Bang, in 1778 and 1827, and
it was twice returned, as the Siamese king believed it would bring
bad luck to his country. Returned to Luang Prabang in 1867, the
palladium managed to survive the collapse of that kingdom and the
city's subsequent sacking by Chinese Haw raiders in the 1890s.
However, despite its tenacious relationship with Laos, the Phra
Bang's whereabouts today are somewhat vague. It is reportedly
locked in a deep vault and is brought out only during religious
festivals. However, rumour has it that this Phra Bang is a fake
and that the Pathet Lao traded the country's palladium for Soviet
assistance during the seventies revolution.
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Though nothing of Fa Ngoum's
original great royal city has survived, Luang Prabang today is a
small, peaceful town with a remarkably well-preserved combination
of Lao and colonial French architecture, which led to UNESCO World
Heritage designation in 1995. The former royal palace of Luang
Prabang's last king - built for him by the French at the turn of
the century - has been turned into a museum filled with memories
of the country's grandiose history. Here, in a small chapel, can
be found a copy of the Phra Bang - a last tenuous link to the once
great Kingdom of a Million Elephants.
Luang Prabang is situated at the
confluence of the Khan and Mekong rivers. It is surrounded
by green hills and impresses
travelers with its gleaming temple roofs and crumbling French
architecture.
The town is dominated by the Phu Si hill. On its slopes several wats can be visited, and it is
peaked by a 24-metre high stupa, That Chomsi. The top of Phu Si
affords astonishing views, especially during the serene sunsets,
which are characteristic of Luang Prabang.
Wat Xiengthong, the most
beautiful designed art. Closely observation we can see the three
roofing, covered by the brown sheets. All designs are identified the
art of Lanexang. Another interested thing are the small Buddha
images. The aide of the temple which painted in and made by the
different colors grasses. Looked very strange to eyes and show the
Lord Buddha images.In front of the temple there is the cart for
carry the coffin of the king Sri Savangvong and his family. This
cart the base are red. Many designed have shown. The new art that
Luang Prabang people are very pleased.
Wat Visoun is one temple
is very important for the history because is the seat of Prabang
Buddha images. The Buddha images for the after the black warriors
destroyed Luang Prabang.
Another attractive site is That
Makmo look like half of watermelon. It was destroyed many times by
the black warriors to clear for the properties. It is seemed that
the golden Buddha image and the silver wares could be found here in
the restoration work in the year 1984 lunar calendar. These
significant heritage from this place can be seen in the old place.
In summary regarding to Wat Visoun from many times of restoration
works, there are many art design of Thailu, Sip song Phanna,
Thaiphuan, Muong Xieng Khouang and Lao Lanexang which are aried from
other pagoda in Luang Prabang.
Wat Ou Tay is situated in
Ban Ou Tay village, a short distance from the main road. According
to local villagers, it was constructed over 500 years ago by.
Payachakawatilasa, making it one of the eldest Pagoda's in Laos and
the district of Gnot Ou.
Royal Palace Museum
The Royal Palace Museum
was contracted 1904-1909 as King Sisavang Vong's palace. These days
it functions as a museum. It houses the royal throne and some
interesting royal artifacts. The building itself feature of French
beaux-arts styles and traditional Lao motifs. The ground floor of
the museum is divided into several halls and rooms that are
displayed gifts from other countries to the Lao kings and collations
of swords and Buddha images. The room to right of the entry hall,
once the King's reception room, has walls covered with large-scale
murals painted in 1930 by the French artist Alix de Fautereau. They
depict scenes from traditional Lao life. A room in the rear of the
former palace contains a small collection of traditional musical
instruments and dancers masks used for performances of the great
Indian and Southeast Asia epic the Ramayana.
New Year in Luang Prabang
The spectacular Kuang Si
waterfall is situated 29 km south of Luang Prabang deep in the
forest. The waters tumble over multi-tiered limestone formations
into several cool, turquoise-green pools ideal for relaxation and
swimming.
Equally fascinating are the Par
Ou caves, which can be reached by a 2-hour boat trip upstream from
Luang Prabang. They are located within the steep rock-cliff, which
rises vertically from the waters of the Mekong River at the point
where it meets with the Nam Ou River.
Tham Ting Cave is 40 km north of
the city. The amazing to that place made the tourists to go upstream
by boat about 2 hours. Within the cave there are many hands of rock.
At very corner, the Buddha images are placed granted by the
worshipers. There are the collected arts of many hundred years of
the Buddhist people. At the present no on and guess how old the
Buddha images year were. In front of the cave, the Nam Ou river
meets the Mekong river can be compared that the north gate very
important of the strategy. In addition to these, Tham Ting has
important role in the old tradition where the king that arrived her
in the Lao new year day.In front of Tham Ting, Pha Ene Mount is on
the left bank of Nam Ou river. It looks like the bald rocky mount on
the top. Its shape is alike the coffin called Phouphalong and this
mount is also representing the legend of the love story of Kounlou
and Nang Oua.
Fishing village
Bane Pak Ou: On the eastern bank of the Mekong River opposite the
caves of Tam Ting is Bane Pak Ou is a fishing village, which
regularly supplies fish to the market in Luang Prabang.
Rice field The
village grows rice in the paddy fields behind the village.
Sopping around the town The village is a peaceful place
with a thriving elementary school small shops sell among other
things
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