Suzanna

I seem to remember that Kathie (or maybe someone else) added a post or comment probably this year about an area out of the Old Town (in Luang Prabang) which is less touristy which has many shops selling local, authentic and fairly priced silk scarfs, cotton blouses and other items for home decoration, etc. I could not locate the post or comment on a post. If someone remembers it or has related suggestions, I'd appreciate them.

Kathie

Sorry, it wasn't me. I did post years ago about the weavers cooperative outside of Luang Prabang.

Smeagol

Try this place there is one in LP proper and one a lovely 10 minute cycle out of town....

http://ockpoptok.com/shop1/our-shops/

(this may be where Kathie is talking about) but I went there too and it's lovely. Also the road leading up to Mount Phoussy has some nice shops.

Suzanna

Thanks, this might be it.

lcuy

There is a bamboo bridge on the top (north?) of Luang Prabang. If you walk across, there is a whole community of weavers and craftspeople. Many of them sell items off their front porch or have little shops inside. I spent several hours wandering the area and bought two really beautiful silk weavings at vey good prices.
Ock tok pop is a very nice shop, with several shops in old town. If you go about 5 minutes south of there by tuktuk, they have a small, but lovely guest house, a cafe, and they have classes on dyeing and weaving. I took a half day class in which I wove a 24" x 24" silk square. As I used to dye and weave a lot, it was a wonderful experience. If I go back, I'll stay at the guesthouse and take one of the multi-day classes.

abby97

Another vote for Ock Tok Pop. I visited two in town and the one just outside town (my personal favorite) and purchased some really lovely things. The silk wall hanging I bought there is in my top-5 favorite things purchased on a trip (which, if you could see my apartment, is saying a lot).

internetwiz

I loved Ock Tok Pop, too. I bought one of my favorite scarves at their location in town.

When I was in LP two years ago, that bridge had been washed away. We took a tuk tuk to get to the weavers village. They have some nice things there, but OTP had a higher quality selection.

Smeagol

I bought 2 beautiful silk wall hangings when I was there in 2010. Seemed expensive at the time about $60/$80 each but the quality is fabulous and now I would consider them a steal ....OTP really is worth a visit. I also bought several scarves from there too.

Suzanna

Thanks for suggestions. I was looking at the 2 weaving villages, metioned by lcuy: Ban Xienglek and Ban Xangkong. I could not locate them on Google. What's the easiest way to get there and how far away are they? I do not know what crossing a bamboo bridge means, but my husband has a fear of heights....

sartoric

You don't have to use the bamboo bridges, there is a road bridge too, so taxi or tuk tuk will get you there.

I don't recall them being very high, but they are a bit wobbly.

Suzanna

I appreciate it.

internetwiz

I think those two village you cite are basically the same place. From what I recall, they are adjacent to one another (although I could be wrong).

Just make sure you bring a sufficient amount of cash with you. We ran out of money, which ended our visit early.

donnahelene

Suzanna. I did mention this in my trip report of Luang Prabang. Just search my name and you will find it. Seems to be the same place mentioned above - across the bridge.