Once the royal seat of the ‘land of thousand elephants’ as the Lan Xang Kingdom was known, Luang Prabang is located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. The elegant tranquility of this charming town was described as 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" when it received World Heritage Status in 1995 by UNESCO. With over 30 temples and pagodas within its jurisdiction it is best visited on foot or by bicycle. Several very stylish boutique hotels and excellent restaurants have emerged over recent years making this a truly delightful corner of the region to escape to.