Live Your Best Lives
Take a super cool cross-border journey, from the charming Xishuangbanna to the mysterious and charming Luang Prabang, Laos in one step!
In Xishuangbanna, Immersed in the rich customs of the Dai people, the dazzling Starlight Night Market and the lively water splashing activities were all captivating. Then, upon entering Laos, I was instantly enveloped by a completely different cultural atmosphere.
Stroll along the Mekong River as the sun sets, enjoy a beer at a riverside restaurant, feel the breeze, watch the sunset, and savor a unique sense of relaxation and tranquility. And then there's the temple, where early morning almsgiving takes place, its golden dome gleaming in the sunlight, a solemn and ancient mystery. Along the way, the simple and friendly smiles of the locals warmed my heart.
This trip was like embarking on a fantastical adventure across two cultures. My camera kept snapping away, but even photos couldn't capture the sheer beauty of what I witnessed! I've compiled a travel guide for Banna and Laos, and I highly recommend you visit and experience it for yourself if you have the chance.
Jinghong, the capital of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, is a small frontier town brimming with Southeast Asian charm. Visit Jinghong Gaozhuang and stay near the Xingguang Night Market. During the day, you can freely wander around Manting Park and Zongfo Temple. At night, experience the city's unique hospitality at Xingguang Night Market or the more local Binjiang Night Market. Enjoy a delicious meal of local specialties.
The Starlight Night Market is located near the Shwedagon Pagoda and is said to be the largest night market in Asia. It is bustling with people in front of various stalls, mainly selling delicious snacks and various special handicrafts. There are also many clothing travel photography stalls along the way. The basic price is 199 per person and you can choose freely. You can search for food shops directly on Dianping.com.
Opening hours: Streets are open all day, night market is open from 18:00 to 00:30 (specific hours will be slightly adjusted according to the season)
Manting Park is the oldest park in Xishuangbanna, with a history of more than 1,300 years. It used to be the royal garden of the Dai King of Xishuangbanna.
Tickets and opening hours: Daytime tickets are 40 yuan per person, time is 8:00-17:00; night tickets are 280 yuan per person, time is approximately 18:55-21:40
The Main Buddhist Temple is called "Wabajie" in Dai language. It is the pilgrimage center for Buddhist believers in Xishuangbanna and the highest-level Buddhist temple in Xishuangbanna. It is connected to Manting Park, so there is no need to buy a separate ticket to the Main Buddhist Temple. You only need to buy a ticket for Manting Park.
Suggestion: Buy tickets in advance as there will be long queues on site; don’t take a taxi or drive as there will be a lot of people and traffic at the entrance. It is recommended to share an electric motorcycle.
Tour duration: about 2 hours. We recommend wearing light-colored clothing such as white or yellow for better photos.
Ticket price: Adult full-price ticket is 80 yuan/person, students can enjoy half-price discount with their student ID.
Opening hours: Open all year round, specifically from 08:00 to 18:00, ticket sales will stop after 17:30.
There are rich plant species. The park is divided into two areas, east and west. It is very large and you need to take the battery car in the park (another fee of 50/person). If you are interested in plants, you can listen to the explanation carefully. If you are not interested, you can directly find a place to take pictures and check in. It is full of tropical plants, exotic flowers and plants. The weather is sunny and it is very photogenic!
What's a trip to Xishuangbanna without experiencing a hearty water splashing event? Don't miss the Dai Garden's Water Splashing Square. A professional team of over a hundred people organizes two daily water splashing events. You can dress up in traditional Dai attire and become a Dai. The first event typically takes place between 2:00 PM and 2:40 PM, and the second between 3:40 PM and 4:20 PM.
If the weather is cold that day, the water splashing will be purely based on enthusiasm. Girls should be careful not to catch a cold. You can watch the game from nearby and have a peacock feast in the local area in the evening.
Hiking in the Manmo tropical rainforest, rushing into the mountains, yearning for nature, to see the unique flora and fauna of the rainforest, feel the magic of nature, be a wild man in the mountains, explore nature, climb trees, swing, catch insects... When you are tired of playing, you can also have a "rainforest picnic" together.
Take the China-Laos Railway from Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, to the Mohan Port for customs clearance. Then, proceed to the Boten Port in Laos for customs clearance. From there, head to Luang Prabang for a Mekong River cruise, catch a sunset by the river, savor Laotian cuisine, and explore Luang Prabang's night market. (At both Mohan and Boten Ports, you'll need to disembark with your luggage for inspection, so you'll need to go up and down twice.)
After arriving in Luang Prabang, check in at the hotel. You can order afternoon tea at the hotel, or go out to the main road in the center of Luang Prabang and stroll along the Mekong River to enjoy delicious food. (There are many restaurants along the river)
Recommended restaurants:
View Khemkhong Restaurant Laotian hot pot, grilled meat on top and shabu-shabu vegetables on the bottom, good quality and affordable, around RMB 80 per person.
Neverland Restaurant
The owner is Chinese and can speak Chinese. If you have just arrived in Luang Prabang and are unfamiliar with the surroundings, you can come to this restaurant.
Lost in baan
French food, located in a small alley, not far from the Foreigner Street.
Luang Prabang is the Buddhist center of Laos with a strong Buddhist cultural atmosphere. The alms-giving activities held every morning have become a part of local life.
This is a two-way journey between monks and travelers: before the night mist on the horizon has cleared, monks in orange robes have already carried backpacks on their shoulders or alms bowls in their hands, going to various streets and around temples to beg for alms; locals and tourists prepare food such as glutinous rice, biscuits, fruits, as well as cash and other valuables, and quietly wait for the monks' arrival.
During almsgiving, people reverently place food or valuables into the monks' alms bowls, and the monks calmly accept the offerings. The entire process is solemn and sacred. After accepting the alms, the monks do not become greedy and even share some of the food with poor children and the elderly on the street. Their compassion is touching.
Note: When participating in the alms offering, please maintain a respectful attitude. Do not make loud noises or disrupt the rituals performed by the monks and laypeople. Offer food with your right hand as a sign of respect, and avoid physical contact with the monks. Also, please avoid using flash when taking photos, as this will disrupt the ritual. It's recommended to leave by 5:30 PM, as the alms offering usually concludes around 6:30 PM. Afterward, you can visit the local morning market, vegetable market, or return to your hotel to relax.
Wat Xieng Thong is the most famous temple in Luang Prabang. The temple is not big and half an hour is enough to check in and take photos.
The Royal Palace Museum combines the classical charm of Laos with French style and is magnificent.
Visiting information: Ticket price is 30,000 kip. Opening hours are 08:00-11:30 and 13:00-15:30 (ticket sales stop at 15:00). Visitors must dress appropriately, with the shoulders and navel not exposed, and the lower body not exposed above the knees. Bags and photos are not allowed when entering the temple.
Mount Phousi is the highest point in Luang Prabang, home to temples and pagodas. From the summit, you can overlook the beautiful city of Luang Prabang. The mountain is crowded around sunset, and tickets are available at a ticket booth halfway up the mountain. Tickets cost 10,000 kip. The entire climb is a gentle climb, with approximately 300 to 400 steps.
As one of the most famous tourist attractions in Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Waterfall is definitely worth a visit, check in and take photos. The pool is clear and the water depth is just right. You can jump into the water. The sunlight is very photogenic. It will be cold after 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Many foreigners will jump into the water. You can also climb to the top of the waterfall along the mountain road, which is about 500 steps.
There is an elephant camp about 40 kilometers away from Luang Prabang, more than 40 minutes' drive away. You can interact with elephants in the camp and ride elephants through the forest. The whole journey takes about 30 to 40 minutes. It is a wild road all the way, which is quite exciting for people who are afraid of heights. Riding on an elephant is a bit bumpy and not very convenient for taking pictures. People with smaller stature may slide down from the chair and need arm support. However, elephants walk slowly, so after you get used to the stability, you don't have to worry about safety issues.
There is also a buffet in the camp. You can interact with the elephants in the morning, have a buffet at noon, sit leisurely by the river and watch the elephants take a bath, or take photos with the elephants.
At the Luang Prabang Foreigner Street Night Market, there's a plethora of goods, not all of which are local. Remember to bargain! Bargain! Bargain! Store shopping is more expensive, but the quality is better. Don't bargain, and prices are similar to those in China.
Before taking a tuk-tuk, be sure to ask the price in advance! Prices are higher than taxis in China, so bargaining is recommended. Locals often speak basic English and Chinese, so bargaining can be done simply or by using a calculator. Luang Prabang has many massage parlors. While the hygiene isn't as good as in China, prices are generally affordable, around 80 RMB per person per hour. Choose a nicer place, and the price will be higher. At the Yangren Street Night Market, there are currency exchange shops scattered throughout the streets and alleys. The exchange rate is generally around 1:3000, so bring some extra cash with you.
