The day begins as it has for hundreds of years. Here in this "City of the Golden Buddha", as it's called, Buddhist monks gather in temples to pray and meditate. Now if you can start your day early enough, you'll catch a sight that's definitely worth losing a bit of sleep for. At dawn, a stream of young monks carrying begging bowls through the streets, they collect bits of food and rice from women waiting on the roadside. Every morning, this silent ritual provides the monks with the simple breakfast, something they eat with great thanks. These are the kinds of timeless rituals that you see played out each day in Luang Prabang, the ancient royal capital of Laos. 

 

The best time to arrive in this beautiful city is probably during the dry and cool season which is between November and February. Once in Luang Prabang, check out the main road that passes by some of the city's most ornate temples and colorful signs of worship. Luang Prabang is a pretty small place and the best way to explore is on foot. You can walk literally every street and alley in town, and just about everywhere you go, you'll stumble onto a great photo opportunity. 

 

The Lao are very conservative when it comes to dress. So, if you do plan on visiting a monastery, don't forget to cover up. Keeping a big scarf in your backpack will probably do the trick. Wearing sandals or shoes that you can slip on and off easily is highly recommended, since it is customary to take off your shoes before entering a Lao home or temple. 

 

For people looking for something a little off the beaten path, a glimpse of the secret is what makes Luang Prabang in Laos one of the most rewarding places to begin your search.