Luang Prabang
Ultimate Guide - Best Things To Do
In the northern region of Laos, embraced by lush green hills and surrounded by the Mekong River, shines the cultural treasure of Luang Prabang. This ancient city, enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage List, exudes an enchanting atmosphere with its splendid temples, historical architecture, and serene landscapes.
Furthermore, it serves as the final destination for the slow boat departing from Huax Xai. Luang Prabang is a place where history, spirituality, and nature harmoniously come together.
- Explore more about Luang Prabang
✅ 10 Best Things To Do
❗Other important things
1. Visit the Morning Markets
The morning market in Luang Prabang is a vibrant and bustling marketplace that comes to life early in the day, showcasing the local flavors, colors, and traditions of Laos.
The morning market provides a glimpse into the daily life of the local community. Observing the interactions between vendors and customers, as well as the diverse array of products on display, adds to the cultural richness of the experience. The friendly and welcoming atmosphere makes the market a welcoming space.
- 📍 Location: Luang Prabang Morning Market
- ⏱️ Opening hours: Every day around sunrise 5:30 AM
- 💰 Price: Free
2. Watch the Alms giving
Almsgiving, locally known as the “Tak Bat” ceremony, is a significant and deeply rooted Buddhist tradition in Luang Prabang, Laos.
Almsgiving is a daily ritual where Buddhist monks, known as “bhikkhus,” walk in a silent procession through the streets of Luang Prabang to collect alms from the faithful. This practice is a central tenet of Theravada Buddhism, the predominant form of Buddhism in Laos.
- 📍 Location: Luang Prabang Alms Giving
- ⏱️ Opening hours: every day around sunrise 5:30 AM
- 💰 Price: free
3. Visit Kuang Si Falls
Kuang Si Falls, located close to Luang Prabang, is a breathtaking natural attraction and a must-visit destination for those exploring the region. Kuang Si Falls is renowned for its stunning turquoise-blue cascading waters that create a series of tiered pools. The vibrant color of the water is a result of dissolved minerals, giving the falls an otherworldly and ethereal appearance.
- 📍 Location: Kuang Si Falls
- ⏱️ Opening hours: Every day from 8 AM – 5 PM
- 💰 Price: 25,000 kip
4. Visit Old Town
Luang Prabang’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its well-preserved architecture, rich cultural heritage, and serene ambiance. Luang Prabang Old Town was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, recognizing its outstanding universal value and the preservation of its unique cultural and architectural heritage. Despite its popularity among tourists, Luang Prabang’s Old Town maintains a tranquil and laid-back atmosphere. The slow pace of life, coupled with the town’s natural beauty, creates a peaceful and rejuvenating experience for visitors.
- 📍 Location: Luang Prabang Old Town
- ⏱️ Opening hours: Every day
- 💰 Price: Free
5. Visit this Story Telling show
“Garavek” in Luang Prabang is a well-known storytelling theater that presents traditional Lao folktales and legends. Garavek is a cultural initiative aimed at preserving and promoting traditional Lao oral storytelling and folklore. The performances are presented in English, making them accessible to a broader audience, including tourists. You will also be introduced to traditional laos music (live)
The performances typically take place in a small and intimate setting, creating a cozy and engaging atmosphere for the audience.
- 📍 Location: Garavek Storytelling Theatre
- ⏱️ Opening hours: Every evening (6.30-7.30pm)
- 💰 Price: 50,000 Kip
6. Visit the Royal Palace
The Royal Palace in Luang Prabang, Laos, is a historic and culturally significant landmark that has been transformed into the Royal Palace Museum. The Royal Palace, also known as Haw Kham, was built in 1904 during the French colonial era as a residence for King Sisavang Vong. It served as the royal residence until the monarchy was abolished in 1975.
The palace exhibits a blend of traditional Laotian and French colonial architectural styles. It features a golden façade, intricate woodwork, and ornate details that showcase the craftsmanship of the time.
- 📍 Location: Royal Palace Luang Prabang
- ⏱️ Opening hours: 08:00–11:30 and 13:30–16:00
- 💰 Price: 30.000 KIP
7. Watch Sunset at Mount Phou Si
Watching the sunset from Mount Phou Si is a popular and beautiful experience in Luang Prabang, Laos. Mount Phou Si, also known as Phousi Hill or Phou Si Hill, is located in the heart of Luang Prabang. It rises prominently at the confluence of the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
To reach the summit, you’ll need to climb a series of stairs. The ascent is relatively moderate, and the journey is adorned with lush greenery, statues, and small shrines. Many visitors take their time climbing, enjoying the journey as much as the destination.
Visitors often find a quiet spot to sit, reflect, and enjoy the moment as the sun dips below the horizon.
- 📍 Location: Mount Phou Si
- ⏱️ Opening hours: Every day 6AM – 7 PM
- 💰 Price: 20.000 KIP or free for half way
8. Go to the handcraft Town with the bamboo bridge
The Bamboo Bridge to Ban Phanom, an iconic attraction in Luang Prabang, Laos. The Bamboo Bridge is situated a short distance from the center of Luang Prabang, spanning the Nam Khan River. Ban Phanom is the village that the bridge connects to, and it is renowned for its traditional handwoven textiles.
The Bamboo Bridge is typically constructed annually during the dry season, usually around November, when the water levels of the Nam Khan River are low. The bridge is crafted entirely from bamboo and is a temporary structure that gets rebuilt each year.
Upon crossing the Bamboo Bridge, you’ll arrive at Ban Phanom, a traditional Lao village known for its skilled weavers. The village has a rich history of producing handwoven textiles, including intricately designed silk and cotton fabrics.
- 📍 Location: Handcraft Town
- ⏱️ Opening hours: Every day 8AM – 6 PM
- 💰 Price: Free
9. Go Bowling
Bowling in Luang Prabang is a somewhat unique and popular activity, offering a casual and social experience for both locals and tourists. This activity is very popular among the backpackers, as there is no other nightlife in Luang Prabang. This is the place where everyone can socialize and party. So it’s a bowling alley you’ve never experienced like this before.
- 📍 Location: Luang Prabang Bowling Alley
- ⏱️ Opening hours: every day 10AM – 2AM
- 💰 Price: 40.000 KIP per game
10. Visit the Night Market
The Night Market in Luang Prabang is a vibrant and bustling market that takes place in the heart of the town. The Night Market is located on Sisavangvong Road, the main street in the center of Luang Prabang. The market spans several blocks and is easily accessible for both locals and tourists. The market has a lively and festive atmosphere, with colorful stalls, traditional music playing in the background, and the aroma of street food filling the air. It’s a popular spot for both tourists and locals to stroll and shop.
- 📍 Location: Night Market Luang Prabang
- ⏱️ Opening hours: Every day from late afternoon
- 💰 Price: Free
✈️ How to get there?
To get to Luang Prabang, there are several options
Boat
This is the slowboat. It departs from a little village on the border in northern Laos. This is a common route when coming from Thailand. This boat takes 2 days and travels along the Mekong River to Luang Prabang. A cheap, pleasant and beautiful way to travel. Read more about the slowboat.
Airplane
Luang Prabang has an international airport about 10 to 15 minutes from the city centre. From the airport, you have 2 options to get to the centre; taxi or tuktuk. Taxi costs between KIP 50,000-70,000. You can of course share this cost with other travellers. Tuktuk costs around KIP 25,000-30,000.
Bus
Buses are available. To take these from Thailand or Vietnam is quite challenging. It is a long and though journey. Taking a bus from one of the surrounding towns like Nong Kiau or Vientiane is a better option.
Train
Recently, a large train network has been built. This was done by China and you can also see a big contast between Laos and the new train network. Anyway, it is a good way of travelling between cities like Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Vang Vieng.
🛵 How to get around?
The centre of Luang Prabang is not large and accessible. Buses are not allowed, making the village quiet and safe. This makes it a good option to see all the sights on foot in Luang Prabang. If you want to do things outside the city, these are the following options.
Motorbike
You can hire a motorbike. Laos is safe to ride but I will recommend riding only if you feel comfortable on the motorbike. The roads are fine even though you should always have your attention on the road. For 1 day, it costs about KIP 80,000.
Tuk-Tuk
Another option is to take a Tuk-Tuk to get yourself around outside Luang Prabang. The cost depends on how far you go.
Where to stay?
Where to stay in Luang Prabang? The easiest way is to find a place close to the city centre. So that you are not dependent on transport to visit the morning market or attend the alms giving, as example. There are many hostels available but also really good guesthouses. Often for a reasonable price. If you travel with someone, you can share a double room and be even cheaper than a single bed in a dorm!
☀️ Best Time to Visit Luang Prabang
The best time to travel to Luang Prabang is from November to February.
Food in Luang Prabang
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