March 30, 20233 yr From Forbes Laos may be a landlocked country without a tropical coastline, but it makes up for it with stunning mountain scenery, lush rice paddies and the mighty Mekong River which runs through its territory. Still wild and largely untouched, it offers a fascinating array of cultural attractions, outdoor experiences and timeless charm. With its mix of Buddhist temples, colonial architecture and jungle fauna, Luang Prabang is one of the overlooked jewels of southeast Asia. First inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, its heritage has been preserved in time and its traditions remain an enduring attraction. It’s still common to see locals give alms to monks each morning around 6am: sticky rice, crackers or cookies given as an act of charity to monks who rely on these expressions of good will. Orange Robe Tours, one of many social enterprises in town, hires former Novices and Monks to lead tours around Luang Prabang. These culturally-immersive experiences provide unique insight into the life of a Buddhist monk, and help ease the transition from temple life to layperson life. The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) is another entity helping to preserve and share Laotian traditions with the public. Through its museum exhibits, education activities and livelihoods development programme, the TAEC educates visitors on the main ethnic groups of Laos, and empowers local communities to actively manage their own cultural heritage. Continues with photos https://www.forbes.com/sites/liviahengel/2023/03/30/laos-travel-guide-one-week-in-southeast-asias-most-charming-country
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