Exploring Laung Prabang
The Expat|August 2017

Laid-back and unassuming, Laos is one of the region’s most intriguing travel destinations. Editor Chad Merchant visits the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang and finds it the country’s perfect starting point.

Chad Merchant
Exploring Laung Prabang

 

With the smallest population of any ASEAN country bigger than a postage stamp – sorry, Singapore and Brunei, we’re looking at you – Laos is about as close to being the region’s undiscovered country as you could imagine. It doesn’t have ancient temples like Angkor Wat or Borobudur to draw history and archaeology buffs, there are no beaches (as it’s ASEAN’s only landlocked nation), and there are no glitzy cities or shopping meccas anywhere within its borders. You might think tourism would be a hard sell in a place like Laos, and in some regards, you would probably be right. And yet, this little-known land pulls in visitors by the planeload, with the country’s nascent tourism industry recording impressive double-digit growth year-on-year in every year since 2010 except one. In less than one generation, the tourism sector has mushroomed exponentially, from just 80,000 international visitors in 1990 to over two million in 2010. And since 2010, that number has continued to soar, with the latest data showing a whopping 4.7 million tourist arrivals in 2015, a staggering increase of nearly 60-fold in just 25 years.

CITY OF HERITAGE, CRADLE OF COMFORT

Looking at a map, Laos is shaped somewhat like a palm tree and in the centre of its ‘palm fronds’ region is the small city of Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos. In 1995, a number of the adjacent villages comprising the city were listed by UNESCO as the Town of Luang Prabang World Heritage Site, noted for its well-preserved architectural, religious, and cultural heritage, a blend of rural and urban developments over several centuries, including the French colonial influences during the 19th and 20th centuries. Unsurprisingly, the UNESCO listing contributed mightily to increasing the country’s tourist appeal.

Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av The Expat.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av The Expat.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE EXPATSe alt
Island Gems In East Malaysia
The Expat

Island Gems In East Malaysia

Island Gems In East Malaysia

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2017
East Malaysian Adventures
The Expat

East Malaysian Adventures

East Malaysian Adventures

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2017
A Wonderful Escape In The Cameron Highlands
The Expat

A Wonderful Escape In The Cameron Highlands

Andy Davison returns to The Lakehouse, his favourite boutique hotel in the cool Cameron Highlands, for a relaxing and rejuvenating escape from the city.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2017
Rest And Relaxation
The Expat

Rest And Relaxation

When it comes to health, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure, and by taking the time to slow down and nurture your body and mind, you can ensure that you stay healthy and happy. Though Malaysia offers a huge range of treatments that seek to soothe the mind and body, there’s more to what makes malaysia such perfect place to be pampered.

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2017
Looking Ahead To An Exciting Future At ISKL
The Expat

Looking Ahead To An Exciting Future At ISKL

Looking Ahead To An Exciting Future At ISKL

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2017
Expat News
The Expat

Expat News

Expat News

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2017
Kuala Selangor: Wetlands Of Significance
The Expat

Kuala Selangor: Wetlands Of Significance

Not far from the urban chaos of Kuala Lumpur lies a gem of a nature park, complemented by some of the best seafood around. David Bowden makes the short trip to Kuala Selangor and finds plenty to enjoy.

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2017
Experience The Wonder Of Myanmar's Biggest Festival
The Expat

Experience The Wonder Of Myanmar's Biggest Festival

Experience The Wonder Of Myanmar's Biggest Festival

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2017
Exploring Laung Prabang
The Expat

Exploring Laung Prabang

Laid-back and unassuming, Laos is one of the region’s most intriguing travel destinations. Editor Chad Merchant visits the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang and finds it the country’s perfect starting point.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2017
The Expat

Malaysia's Quality Healthcare Continues To Soar

Malaysia has established itself as one of the top choices worldwide for those seeking medical treatments abroad. For expats living here, this just adds another layer of appeal for their home away from home. The Expat editorial team break down the reasons driving healthcare tourism and why expats in Malaysia are among the biggest beneficiaries.

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2017