World Heritage Identification Number: 479
World Heritage since: 1995
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇱🇦 Lao People's Democratic Republic
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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A Cultural Melting Pot: The Town of Luang Prabang
The Town of Luang Prabang, located in the heart of Laos, stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of traditional Laotian culture and European colonial influences. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, this historic city offers a unique insight into a significant phase of cultural fusion that has shaped Southeast Asia's architectural landscape.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.
Encyclopedia Record: Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, historically known as Xieng Thong (ຊຽງທອງ) and alternatively spelled Luang Phabang or Louangphabang, is the capital of Luang Prabang Province in north-central Laos. Its name, meaning “Royal Buddha Image,” derives from the Phra Bang, a statue symbolizing Lao sovereignty. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the city is recognized for blending traditional Lao architecture, European colonial buildings, and over 30 Buddhist temples. The protected area encompasses 33 of its 58 villages, where daily rituals like the morning alms-giving ceremony persist.Additional Site Details
Area: 820 hectares
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
(v) — Outstanding example of traditional human settlement
Coordinates: 19.88889 , 102.13333
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© Shelly Zohar, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
