Luang Prabang is set out on a slightly crooked grid system. Most of the most beautiful parts of the city are on a narrow finger of land extending to where the Mekong joins the Nam Khan River. What could be called the center of town extends up from the long-distance boat pier. Thanon Kitsarat heads southeast, past Phousi hill and the Dara Market on the left to the crossroads where it meets Thanon Mahapatsaman and Thanon Wisunarat. Most of the old French municipal buildings cluster around the beginning of Thanon Kitsarat near the boat pier. To get to both the main cluster of bars and restaurants on Sisavangvong Road head northeast of the boat pier with Phu Si hill to your right. You will soon see the ornate gold decoration and dark wood of some of the most ancient wats in Laos. Sisavangvong Road to the east side of the narrow strip of land between the rivers has become a tourist high street of Internet cafes, bars, and restaurants. The parallel road on the western side of this small riverine peninsula runs directly by the banks of the Mekong. You can do this whole district in a half an hour or so by foot. It remains one of the world's most relaxed and delightful strolls. To take in the often spectacular Mekong sunset, head back to the boat pier. The sun sinks behind a small mountain on the other side of the Mekong in a giant orange ball silhouetting the boats moored to the south of the pier.
The airport and northern bus terminal are to the northeast of the city while the southern bus terminal is to the southwest.
