The Royal Palace Museum

When coming to Luang Prabang a visit to the Royal Palace Museum (Haw Kham or Golden Hall) is a must. The building was erected between 1904 and 1909, during the French Protectorate of Laos time. Situated in the heart of the city the Haw Kham, (Golden Hall), is an ideal place to study or learn some history and royal lifestyle of Laos. The architecture of the building is a mixture of French Beaux –Art style and traditional Laos style, making it not only old, but also contemporary. Outside the entrance, whose marble steps were imported from Italy, there are two rows of very high borassus. The museum has many objects of interest, of both religious and royal origins. Its ceiling and many exhibits are gilded.

The museum is open daily from 8am to 12pm and from 2pm until 5pm every day. The museum is very important to Loatians, to preserve both their historical and cultural heritage. Tourists should walk and speak quietly when visiting the museum. The most precious item in the museum is the Prabang statue (standing Buddha) weighing 48kgs and standing 83cm tall, made from an alloy of gold, silver and bronze.

When leaving the museum you can climb nearby Mt Phousi to see the beautiful panorama of Luang Prabang.