WORLD Heritage-listed Lao ancient city Luang Prabang, nestled among the Mekong river and mountains, has become more popular among Chinese tourists, local media reported April 9.

In 2019, the number of Chinese visitors to Luang Prabang and other provinces is expected to grow, under the ongoing Visit Laos-China Year campaign, local daily Vientiane Times reported.

Local authorities expect Chinese tourists to top all nationalities visiting the world heritage city in 2019.

The ancient city of Luang Prabang, listed in 1995, is one of Laos’ two UNESCO World Heritage Sites with the other being the Vat Phou temple complex in southern Laos’ Champassak Province, which was listed in 2001.

More than 4.1 million visitors came to Laos during Visit Laos Year 2018, an 8.2 percent increase over 2017, according to the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

Officials forecast that more than 1 million Chinese will spend their holidays in Laos in 2019 with 4.5 million visitors in total expected. (Xinhua)