High in the mist-shrouded mountains of northern Laos, cut through by the Mekong river, is Luang Prabang, a remote town of glittering Buddhist temples and barefoot monks. The natural setting of the town, on a promontory by the river, encircled by an amphitheatre of steep, verdant mountains enhances its jewel-like identity.
Luang Prabang is a treasure trove of sacred art dating from the17th century. There are 33 Buddhist temples, carved from wood, exquisitely frescoed and gilded, with layered roofs sweeping to the ground. Interiors are adorned with Buddha images of serene grace and dignity. With the arrival of the French colonisers in the 19th century came a stccular architectural tradition. In Luang Prabang, the fusion of these two disparate cultures resulted in a singular beauty.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang is cons dered the best preserved town in Southeast Asia.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
LAND AND PEOPLE
A BRIEF HISTORY
ART AND RELIGION
SACRED ARCHITECTURE : BUDDHIST TEMPLES
WAT XIENG THONG
WAT PAK KHAN
WAT KHILI
WAT SI BOUN HOUANG
WAT SIRI MOUNG KHOUNG
WAT Sop
WAT SENE
WAT NONG SIKHUNMUANG
WAT PA PHAI
WAT SIENG MOUAN
RAT CHOUM KHONG
RAT PAPHANE
WAT PA KHE
WAT PA HUAK
WAT THAM PHOWSI
THAT CHOMSI
WAT MAI SUWANNAPHUMAHAM
WAT Ho XIENG
WAT PHRA MAHATHAT
WAT PHONE SaY
WAT PHRA BAT TAI
WAT THAT LUANG
WAT MONOROM
WAw VISOUNNARAT
WAT THAKMO
WAT AHAM
WAT APHAY
WAT MEUNNA
WAT PHRA PHOME PHAO SANTI CHEDI
WAT SANKHALOK
WAT XIANG MEN
WAT CHOM PHET
WAT LONG KHOUN
WAT THAM
PAK OU CAVES
HENRI MOUHOT'S TOMB
ROYAL PALACE
SECULAR ARCHITECTURE : LAO VERNACULAR
AND FRENCH COLONIAL BUILDINGS
AUBERGE THREE NAGAS
DIETHELM TRAVEL HOUSE
KHAMBOUA HOUSE
SALA PRABANG
SENE SOUK GUESTHOUSE
AUBERGE CATAO
LANE RANG TRAVEL AND GUESTHOUSE
UNESCO : LA MAISON DU PATRIMOINE
ECOLE DE LA SANTE PUBLIOUE
VILLA XIENG MOUANE
COLONIAL HOUSE
VILLA SANTI
SAYNAMKHAN OUESTHOUSE
RESIDENT SUPERIEURE'S HOUSE
HOTEL SOUVANNAPHOUM
RED CROSS BUILDING
SATRI HOUSE
COLONIAL HOUSE
XIENGKEO MANSION
LMNG ARTS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
GLOSSARY
INDEX
