A place where time stands still is one way to describe the charms of this historic capital of ancient wats. Luang Prabang is the most popular destination in Laos, a compact, atmospheric town that can be enjoyed at leisure on foot. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are more than 30 historic temples hidden among the streets of town, as well as the Royal Palace Museum. Luang Prabang is now plugged into Laos and the rest of the region, with a new highway connecting it to the capital of Vientiane to the south and international flight links to nearby Chang Mai in Thailand and Danang in Vietnam. Combining this atmospheric place with the highlights of Indochina such as Hoi An in Vietnam and Angkor in Cambodia has never been easier.

Wat Xieng Thon is the most striking temple in Luang Prabang, with a stunning, sweeping roof that flows almost to the ground. Dating from the 16th century, the interior contains some fine decorative features, as well as some uniquely Lao Buddhas. It is also worth looking out for the funerary carriage in the compound, originally used for royal funerals. Wat Wisunlat is a curious shape, resembling a giant watermelon, hence its Lao nickname of That Makmo. One of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang, it was rebuilt after the Black Haw burned the city to the ground in 1887. Other popular wats include Wat Aham, with its large Boddhi trees and Wat Manolom with a giant seated Buddha, cast in bronze, about six metres high.

Kuang Si is the most impressive set of falls in the Luang Prabang region, a series of cascades tumbling down a steep cliff into small bathing pool below. In the dry season it is possible to have a swim to cool off here, but in the wet season most off the forest becomes inundated with water.