Discover Laos: Why the country is the best insider tip for Asia newcomers

Laos: Why a trip to Luang Prabang is so worthwhile and the perfect place for a break.

Of course, it's not as if we've never heard of Laos before. The country is probably familiar to most people, but it's often mentioned in the same breath as other Asian destinations. Then, for example, people go on vacation to Vietnam and Laos; or to Thailand and Laos. Or, in my case, to Cambodia and Laos. And even though Cambodia was a truly wonderful trip, I felt that Laos should be much more than just an appendage, a hyphen in a travel experience—Laos can stand entirely on its own.

Laos isn't actually that small a country – at just under 237,000 square kilometers, it's smaller than Germany but roughly the same size as Great Britain . However, the country is home to just 7.6 million people, which is less than ten percent of Germany's population. The most densely populated area is the capital, Vientiane. Laos is still much less developed for tourism than its neighboring countries like Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam, but tourism is considered a promising industry in the country. The city that everyone's eyes are on is Luang Prabang (and yes, it's perfectly fine if you've never heard of the name before), a city of just under 70,000 inhabitants.

Located in northeastern Laos, nestled amidst a lush mountain landscape, Luang Prapang is a city that seems like a living history book. With its gold-plated temples , French colonial architecture, and the constant shimmer of the Mekong River, it gives the impression that time has stood still. But behind this idyll lies a history of cultural prosperity, political upheaval, and a delicate balancing act between tradition and modernity that is only just beginning to be mastered.

Thirty years have passed since Luang Prabang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and the city center, along with its 32 Buddhist monasteries and all of the French colonial architecture, was renovated and listed as a historical monument. Since then, efforts have been made to preserve the city center's unique artistic and historical character while simultaneously opening its doors to tourism.

To better understand the uniqueness of this place, one must look back into the history books, as Luang Prabang's origins date back over 1,200 years. Originally known as Muang Sua, the city became the capital of the kingdom of Lan Xang – the "Land of a Million Elephants" – in 1353 under the name Luang Prabang. Since then, the royal family and Luang Prabang have always had close ties; its name derives from this, and under King Setthathirath, the town experienced a cultural flowering in the 16th century.

Many of the temples still standing today, such as Wat Xieng Thong, were built during this period and continue to shape the cityscape to this day. Although the political capital was moved to Vientiane in 1560, Luang Prabang remained the religious and cultural center of the country until 1975, when the monarchy was abolished. This cultural and spiritual significance can still be felt in the streets of Luang Prabang today.

Everyday life beats to the rhythm of faith. Buddhism shapes life in Laos, and anyone traveling through the country immediately senses this: Here, religion (and to some extent, superstition) is not just a private matter—it is part of everyday life, the visible soul of the country. Golden pagodas rise from the lush greenery, orange-robed monks walk through the streets with quiet dignity, and even in the smallest village, the temple is the heart of the community.

In addition, temples are not only places of worship, but also schools and social meeting places. The life of the Laotian population was – and in many places still is – closely intertwined with the calendar of Theravada Buddhism, the branch of faith that found its way to Laos as early as the 8th century. An important custom deeply rooted in Laotian tradition is the temporary life of a monk, which our local guide also tells us about from his own experience: boys or young men often spend several days, weeks, or sometimes even years in a monastery to meditate, learn, and attain spiritual maturity – a symbolic step into adulthood. Some do so voluntarily – others because their precarious financial situation does not allow otherwise.