CIVIBADemocracy and Civic Practices

Space · Neighbourhood or village

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang · North · Laos

Third placeCommons and belonging1995

A historic town between the Mekong and the Nam Khan, with its monasteries and the neighbourhoods (ban) that live around them, World Heritage since 1995. It shows what heritage listing does to everyday life: from 1994 to 2011 guesthouses grew from 4 to 281, and many residents sold their homes and moved to the outskirts. The dawn alms round (tak bat) has become a photo spectacle, with provincial rules for visitors. The railway to China, a dam and new bridges add pressure.

Led by
The Lao state and Luang Prabang province, with UNESCO and French cooperation
Status
Active
Participation
Institution led
Visitable
Yes, a lived-in old town; respect the residents and the rules for the dawn alms round
Website
tourismluangprabang.org ↗
Contact
No public contact on record
Last reviewed
1 October 2026

Verification

Verified

This place is backed by at least one primary and one secondary source, reviewed within the last twelve months. The sources appear below with their consultation dates.

  • Verified two sources including a primary one, or first-hand knowledge of the place
  • Partial one source on record
  • Unverified starting knowledge, sources pending

Sources

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