Lao New Year Celebration, Pi Mai, also known as Boun Pi, is the most popular festival in Laos. It usually lasts 3 days, but in Luang Prabang, it can extend to almost a week. The main attraction is the water festival, where participants joyfully throw water at each other using water guns and buckets. The festivities also feature a bustling market, a lively island party near Ban Xieng Men, and a traditional Baci ceremony to welcome the new year and honor the elders.
Day One
The festival starts with a vibrant market on Luang Prabang’s main avenue, showcasing various products from Laos and beyond. In the afternoon, festivities move to an island near Ban Xieng Men. Here, a lively party takes place, and people create traditional sand pyramids for good fortune.
Day Two
The second day of the Lao New Year Celebration is known as the ‘day without a year.’ People use this day to enjoy their favorite activities and prepare for the new year.
Day Three
Day Three: On the third day, a grand parade takes place. Monks and participants, dressed in traditional attire, march to the sacred temple of Wat Xieng Thong.
Final Day
Final Day: The final day marks the start of the new year. Families host Baci ceremonies at home to welcome the Lao New Year and offer well-wishes to their elders. Later, devotees ceremoniously pour water on the sacred Prabang statue at Wat Mai, seeking blessings for the coming year. The festival concludes with a candlelight procession around the temple, symbolizing the end of the celebration.
Join the vibrant Luang Prabang New Year festival, marking the start of the Lao New Year. This event is rich in traditions and brings the community together in joy.
Activities on Site:
Water Splashing: Enjoy the traditional water splashing ceremony. Locals and visitors throw water on each other to wash away past misfortunes and welcome the new year.
Processions: Watch lively processions with traditional music, dance, and colorful floats. These displays celebrate Laos’s cultural heritage.
Temple Visits: Experience the spiritual side of the festival by visiting Luang Prabang’s temples. Participate in rituals, make offerings, and seek blessings for the coming year.
Community Gatherings: Join community gatherings where traditional Lao dishes are shared. Enjoy cultural performances and exchange gifts, fostering unity and camaraderie.
Xieng Khouang Province lies on the mountainous Tran-ninh plateau. It rises more than 1,000 meters above sea level and generally enjoys mild temperatures. Nevertheless, winters can be surprisingly cold. In contrast, Kham District is a low-lying basin situated around 600 meters above sea level.
Geographical Significance
Xieng Khouang is strategically positioned among mountain ranges, featuring Phou Bia, the highest peak in Laos at 2,700 meters. The province sits at a crucial crossroads, connecting traffic from central Vietnam and northeast Thailand. Historically, Siam and Vietnam have competed for control over this area.
Borders and Neighboring Regions
Xieng Khouang borders Houaphanh, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Bolikhamxay provinces. Additionally, it shares an international border with Vietnam. The province is home to diverse ethnic groups, such as the Thai Phuan, Hmong, Khmu, and Tai Dam.
Historical Context
After World War II, the French used Muang Khoun (now Xieng Khouang Town) as their provincial capital. Some colonial buildings, including the governor’s residence, church, and French school, remain as ruins.
Modern Developments
Phonsavanh, the new provincial capital, is located in Paek District. It attracts both national and international tourists eager to explore Xieng Khouang’s natural, historical, and archaeological sites. Furthermore, the new airport in Phonsavanh offers regular flights from Vientiane Capital via Lao Airlines.
Attractions
Plain of Jars
The Plain of Jars is a notable prehistoric site featuring stone megaliths that draw thousands of visitors annually. This site holds immense archaeological significance and is linked to the Standing Stones of Hintang in nearby Houaphanh Province.
Archaeological Studies
Researchers are currently studying the prehistoric material found at the Plain of Jars. Some artifacts date back to 2000 BC, while most finds, including the jars, are from the early Iron Age (500 BC to 500-800 AD).
Historical Insights
Although details about the creators of the megalithic jars are scarce, the Muang Puan Chronicles provide valuable historical context. The Tai Puan, a Buddhist Tai-Lao ethnic group, migrated from what is now southern China and established an independent principality at the Plain of Jars by the 13th century. They prospered through trade in metals and forest products.
Impact of Conflict
During the Second Indochina War (1960s-1970s), Xieng Khouang experienced heavy aerial bombardment and intense ground battles due to its strategic importance. This conflict resulted in a dangerous legacy of unexploded ordnance (UXO), which is still being cleared today. Since Laos gained independence in 1975, Xieng Khouang and the Plain of Jars have enjoyed peace and stability.
Visiting the Ruins
The original capital, Muong Khoun, was heavily damaged by US bombing. As a result, the capital moved to Phonsavanh. Although most Buddhist temples in Muong Khoun, built between the 16th and 19th centuries, were destroyed, Vat Pia Vat survived and is open to visitors. Additionally, the Xieng Khouang Provincial Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the area’s history.
Founded over 1,200 years ago at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers, Luang Prabang served as the capital for several kingdoms. The city, originally known as Muang Sua, Xieng Thong, and Lane Xang, now bears the name Luang Prabang, derived from the Pha Bang. This revered Buddha image is displayed at the National Museum.
Cultural Significance
Luang Prabang stands out for its blend of temples, traditional architecture, and colonial buildings. The city remains a vital hub for politics, education, and trade in Northern Laos. Visitors enjoy vibrant markets that offer fresh wild mushrooms, hand-woven textiles, and local dishes. Notable landmarks include Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Mai, Wat Visoun, Souphanouvong University, and the Teacher Training College. The Mekong River plays a crucial role, with traditional boats and modern jets using its waters.
Geographical Location
Luang Prabang Province sits in northern Laos, bordering Oudomxay, Phongsaly, and Houaphanh to the north; Vientiane and Xayabouly to the south and southwest; and Xieng Khouang to the east. The province has around 400,000 residents from eight distinct ethnic groups. The Kmhmu (or Khmu) make up the largest group, comprising about 44% of the population. The Hmong represent 16%, while lowland Lao people, making up 39%, primarily live in the valleys and the town.
Archaeological evidence shows that people have inhabited Luang Prabang since at least 8,000 BC. In the 14th century, King Fa Ngum established the first Lao kingdom, Lane Xang, here. He unified the lands of modern Xieng Khouang, the Khorat Plateau, and Luang. Initially called Muang Swa, the city became Maung Xieng Dong Xieng Thong by 1357. King Fa Ngum received the Phra Bang Buddha image from the Khmer monarchy, which led to the city’s current name, Luang Prabang.
Modern Era and Restoration
Luang Prabang served as the capital of Lane Xang until 1560, when the capital moved to Vientiane. Despite this shift, Luang Prabang remained a major religious center. During the mid-17th century, King Surigna Vongsa’s reign brought Western contact. After Lane Xang split into three kingdoms in 1694, black flag bandits caused significant destruction in the late 19th century. King Sisavang Vong (1904-1959) initiated restoration and beautification projects, resulting in a blend of French-influenced buildings with Lao, Tai Lue, Burmese, Chinese, and Tai architectural styles
Champasack, located in the Southern Laos, functions as a key political and economic hub in Lao PDR. The capital city, Pakse., sits at the junction of the Mekong and Sedon Rivers. Therefore, it serves as a vital center for trade and administration.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Champasack is home to ancient temples influenced by the Angkor civilization of Cambodia. Additionally, the province is inhabited by various ethnic groups, including the Khmu, Hmong, and Lao, each with its own language, culture, and lifestyle. These diverse influences contribute to the province’s laid-back atmosphere and warm hospitality. Consequently, Champasack boasts a rich cultural, historical, and natural heritage. Various kingdoms have ruled the area over the centuries, leaving behind many archaeological remnants.
Major Attractions
One must visit the Wat Phou Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located south of Pakse. Furthermore, attractions such as the Ancient City, historic colonial buildings, Done Daeng Island, and the Four Thousand Islands offer compelling sights. Thus, visitors have a range of experiences to enjoy.
Natural Wonders
In the southeastern part of the province, the Xe Pian National Protected Area is renowned for its rich biodiversity. It offers excellent ecotourism opportunities. Moreover, the Bolaven Plateau in the northeastern region produces some of the finest Arabica coffee and features attractions like the Tad Fane Waterfall.
Guided Tours and Local Experiences
Finally, in the northern part of the province, guided tours of the Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area and Khong Mountain provide enriching experiences. Additionally, visitors can explore Done Kho Island and traditional Southern Lao homes in Ban Saphai
