VIENTIANE, March 19 (Laotian Times/ANN): The acclaimed American news magazine, Time Magazine, called Luang Prabang a ‘hidden paradise’ and recommended it as one of the 50 greatest places in the world in 2023.
Luang Prabang features alongside Phuket and the Isan region of Thailand, as the only three places in South-East Asia to make it on the list of destinations.
The publisher praised Luang Prabang for its magnificent nature-rich surroundings, citing turquoise waterfalls, Buddhist temples, and sunset boat rides on the Mekong as highlights of the old capital. It points out, “Despite its remote location in the jungled mountains of Laos, the former royal capital is not just for backpackers.”
According to Time, the town is home to a number of exquisite boutique hotels situated in French colonial buildings, like the Amantaka and Sofitel Luang Prabang, which could be an ideal way to stay and experience the UNESCO World Heritage town.
The magazine also recommends visits to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center, a museum devoted to the country’s 50 ethnic groupings and 160 ethnic subgroups, and Free the Bears wildlife sanctuaries, where over one hundred moons and sun bears saved from poaching reside.
Additionally, tourists can also check out Tamarind Cooking School to know why Gordon Ramsay named Laos one of the top food destinations in the world.
The Laos-China railway, which opened up online bookings this week, also received high praise from Time, “The train turns the once 12-hour bus ride from Vientiane to Luang Prabang into a scenic two-hour trip.” - Laotian Times
