What's Luang Prabang got that Chiang Mia hasn't?

[DavidOxon]

DW has organised a weekend break to LP from Chiang Mai.

Been looking on trip adivsor etc... seems to be Temples, restaurants, textiles and market!

Sort of like Chiang Mai light!

Please someone help me get excited about it cos right now I can't see the point!

[Bung]

Beer Lao is easy to get and er........that's about it.

Oh! The sidewalks are clear!

[SoiBiker]

It's not a competition.

They're both cool places to visit.

[DavidOxon]

More of a Leo man, but must confess to not yet trying Beer Lao light (Don't like the beer dum)

[DavidOxon]

Is it more exciting than Lamphun?

[DavidOxon]

(I haven't even been to Pai yet!)

[amexpat]

Beer Lao Gold. A really fine beer and not available in TH.

[elektrified]

Is it more exciting than Lamphun?

Anywhere else on Earth must be more exciting than Lamphun!

[DLock]

What are you wanting exactly?

[SoiBiker]

LP is one of my favourite places to visit. But If you need someone to explain to you why it's worth visiting a Unesco heritage site in a beautiful riverside setting with bags of interesting things to see, charming people, delicious food, a wonderful laid-back atmosphere, and - as has been mentioned - cheap, tasty beer, then it's probably not for you.

[masuk]

Some years since I was there, but the air was clean!! Also some nice restaurants offering French bread, pastries.

English was used more here than ChiangMai.

[DavidOxon]

LP is one of my favourite places to visit. But If you need someone to explain to you why it's worth visiting a Unesco heritage site in a beautiful riverside setting with bags of interesting things to see, charming people, delicious food, a wonderful laid-back atmosphere, and - as has been mentioned - cheap, tasty beer, then it's probably not for you.

ok, apart from Unseco, you've just described Chiang Mai!

[SoiBiker]

Then stay put. Clearly you've seen enough of the world.

[Seligne2]

baguettes

[StevieH]

kuang si waterfalls and lagoon is stunning.

[dru2]

David - Luang Prabang is nothing like Chiang Mai. The nearest equivalent is Kengtung in Shan State.

LP is tiny compared with Chiang Mai - at least twenty times smaller, with very little traffic. Because the central part (between the Mekong and the Nam Khan) is a UNESCO world heritage site, it's particularly well preserved and a little Disneylandish - almost too perfect. It's a great place for a short break with good restaurants, a great night market, good hotels, boat journeys on the Mekong, some very fine temples and amiable, helpful people. But it's very quiet and early to bed.

To compare LP with Chiang Mai is rather like comparing Chiang Mai with Bangkok - the difference in size and atmosphere is really that great.

But of course I live in Chiang Mai (or 10 km outside) and choose to visit Luang Prabang perhaps annually, but only for 2-3 days max. I wouldn't consider moving there permanently.

[DavidOxon]

Sadly, that's not an option! And to add to it, I have to go and get a re entry permit at immigration and find $35 for the Laos visa. Just trying to get some enthusiasm! Not sure what my 5 year old daughter will find to do either! 555 Is there anywhere to swim as the central hotlles don't seem to have pools....

[uptheos]

What are you wanting exactly?

Beer seems popular!

[SoiBiker]

Sadly, that's not an option! And to add to it, I have to go and get a re entry permit at immigration and find $35 for the Laos visa. Just trying to get some enthusiasm! Not sure what my 5 year old daughter will find to do either! 555 Is there anywhere to swim as the central hotlles don't seem to have pools....

https://lapistochepool.wordpress.com

[CMfoodie]

It's got this fabulous restaurant - L'Elephant http://elephant-restau.com/ make reservations, usually full.

Baguettes, Beer Lao and some great waterfalls about 30 mins away - called Kouangxi.

[bubba45]

It's a great getaway and GOOD, INEXPENSIVE WINE!

[quidnunc]

LP is one of my favourite places to visit. But If you need someone to explain to you why it's worth visiting a Unesco heritage site in a beautiful riverside setting with bags of interesting things to see, charming people, delicious food, a wonderful laid-back atmosphere, and - as has been mentioned - cheap, tasty beer, then it's probably not for you.

ok, apart from Unseco, you've just described Chiang Mai!

And why do you think Unesco designated Luang Prabang a Unesco World Heritage Site and not Chiang Mai. And if you can't figure that one out on your own, there's something called the internet that might help you come up with an answer.

[NancyL]

Oh come on, David, can't you spend a weekend wandering around any town and find something interesting to look at? LP sounds nice. A few days isn't going to kill you. What is so special here in Chiang Mai that you don't want to be away for a couple days? Frankly, Hubby and I spent two days in Lamphun wandering around looking at the local shops & temples, riding bicycles in the countryside, etc and managed to have a nice little weekend get-a-way. Surely you can do the same in LP?

Edited April 27, 2015 by NancyL

[Ulysses G.]

Some years since I was there, but the air was clean!!

The air in LP was WAY worse than I've ever seen it in CM. There was much more burning in a smaller space. In fact, LP had the most smoke I've ever seen anywhere. I've always wanted to go back at a different time of year.

[Lee4Life]

LP is one of my favourite places to visit. But If you need someone to explain to you why it's worth visiting a Unesco heritage site in a beautiful riverside setting with bags of interesting things to see, charming people, delicious food, a wonderful laid-back atmosphere, and - as has been mentioned - cheap, tasty beer, then it's probably not for you.

ok, apart from Unseco, you've just described Chiang Mai!

You really think so? Chiang Mai is o.k., and has some nice spots, but it's big city now...nothing like it was before. You need to go see LP yourself to really understand. If you're looking for nightlife and the bar scene you're probably not going to like it, if you want to relax at a small café or bar next to the Mekong, go on a boat ride or see some jungle water falls you'll have fun. It's a little bit difficult to compare.

[vogie]

Whats Luang Prabang got that Chiang Mai hasn't.

Well a L, U, P, R and a B.

[SoiBiker]

On a side note, what is it with Chiang Mai expats acting like the place is the nearest thing to paradise on God's green earth?

It's a nice enough town I guess, but it's nothing that special.

[louse1953]

You will know when you have been there a few days,then you'll wonder why you are going back to Ch.Mai.

[louse1953]

(I haven't even been to Pai yet!)

Your 15 years too late.

[gamini]

You can get a really nice tender steak cooked properly. Rare (french style) and not overcooked as in Thailand. Excellant French restaurant Elephant