Page 20 - Thailand Laos Cambodia Myanmar 26 Day Sample

DAY 12 LUANG PRABANG Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch At 7:00 AM transfer to the serene Wat Sibounheaung; Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. a nearly century old temple. Your guide will prepare offerings such as fruits, candles and incense sticks to This afternoon visit the Traditional Arts and offer to the monks before enjoying a morning blessing Ethnology Centre, a non-profit museum and ceremony that is believed to bring health, happiness resource center dedicated to the ethnic cultures of and longevity. After the blessing, a white thread will Laos. Its goal is to promote understanding, be tied your wrist – it is believed that this will make appreciation, and preservation of Laos’ ethnic your wishes come true. Here you can witness the cultures. evening chanting, and learn more about a Buddhist monk’s life by interacting with Khampheng, a 20 year Nearby is The Children Cultural Center, opened in old monk. You will learn about the influence of January 1998 in a former government exhibition Buddhism in daily local life. room. The Children’s Cultural Center presents a wide range of extra-curricular cultural activities for Then visit the morning Phosi Market, where you will children, including singing, dancing, music, games, see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local weaving, embroidery, handicrafts, painting and tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and drawing, spoken drama, English language lessons, hill-tribe weavings. culture and camping. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Complete your day by climbing the 328 steps up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration Later this morning visit Wat Visoun, known as the of the sacred, gilded stupa. Enjoy the breathtaking ‘Watermelon Stupa’ on account of its stupa’s unusual panoramic view of the Mekong River and city at spherical shape. Also visit Wat Xieng Thong Temple. sunset. Wat Xieng Thong is situated on the banks of the This evening you may wish to dine at L’Elephant Mekong River and was constructed in 1559/1560 A.D. Restaurant, which serves authentic French and by King Say Setthathirath. Wat Xieng Thong is the Laotian cuisine, prepared with local market most beautiful among all monasteries of Luang ingredients and the freshest produce from its own Prabang and represents the typical Lao art style. Here gardens. Your guide can assist with making you will see many old and beautiful religious artifacts reservations. of the period between the 16 & 20 centuries and th th some ancient masterpieces of Lao art. Overnight: La Residence Phou Vao – Mountain IS NOW COMPLETE View Room Afterwards, visit the National Museum (the former Royal Palace), which houses the collections of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue and gifts received from foreign dignitaries.