Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang  "Royal Buddha Image (in the Dispelling Fear mudra)," pronounced [lǔaŋ pʰra.bàːŋ]), is the capital city of Luang Prabang Province in north central Laos. The city is located at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers about 300 km north of Vientiane. The population of the city is about 50,000.

The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. It had also been known by the ancient name of Chiang Thong. Until the communisttakeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The old town centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The main part of the city consists of four main roads on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. The city is well known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. Every morning, hundreds of monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms. One of the major landmarks in the city is a large steep hill on which sits Wat Chom Si.

Amantaka is a luxury hotel in Luang Prabang, Laos. The hotel, located in a French colonial former hospital, is operated by Aman Resorts and opened in September 2009. The hotel is located in the northwestern part of the city in the old town area, several metres from the Mekong River and approximately 400 metres northeast of the Royal Palace. The hotel encourages the education of the guests in traditional Lao culture and hires such cultural advisers to teach the guests on a regular basis in traditional Lao customs and practices.

The Royal Palace (official name "Haw Kham", Lao: ຫໍຄຳ Lao pronunciation: [hɔ̌ɔ.kʰám]) in Luang Prabang, Laos, was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. The site for the palace was chosen so that official visitors to Luang Prabang could disembark from their river voyages directly below the palace and be received there. After the death of King Sisavang Vong, the Crown Prince Savang Vatthana and his family were the last to occupy the grounds. In 1975, the monarchy was overthrown by the communists and the Royal Family were taken to re-education camps. The palace was then converted into a national museum.