Luang Prabang Travel Guide: Best Things to Do and See in Luang Prabang, Laos

The beautiful old capital city of Luang Prabang in northern Laos is a true gem in Asia. Having first visited in 2010, I was charmed by its peaceful, calm streets lined with cute French colonial buildings. I’ve loved every visit to this enchanting destination, so in this Luang Prabang Travel Guide I cover all of the essential things to know before visiting. I’ll cover how to get to Luang Prabang, where to stay and of course, what to do and see. So read on and get planning your own trip to Luang Prabang, Laos.

Luang Prabang Travel Guide: Practical Information

Luang Prabang is located in the moutainous north of Laos on a peninsula, where both the Mekong River and Nam Khan River meet.

The city feels like nowhere else I’ve been to in South East Asia. And despite its mesmerising charm, it is still not yet overcrowded by tourists.

In fact, one of my very favourite things about Luang Prabang is the lack of motorised vehicles and noise on the streets. Luang Prabang is such a relaxing place to visit, with both tourists and locals existing in harmony. There’s no hassle, no tacky tourists gifts and no honking of horns. Are you sold yet?

And whether you’re visiting Laos as a backpacker (check this guide to Laos backpacker travel tips here!), a family holiday, or on a romantic couples trip – you’re guaranteed to have a great time.

For a small town, there’s a surprising number of things to do in Luang Prabang, from waterfalls, to temples to exciting markets. But before I get to the best activities to do, I thought I’d include a practical guide to Luang Prabang:

When to go to Luang Prabang

The city is a great year-round destination. The best months to visit are between November and February when it’s warm and dry. In the summer months (June to September), Laos, like most of South East Asia has its rainy season. The heavy rains don’t tend to last for more than an hour but they can make the rivers dangerous and roads impassable. The temperature can also be sweltering during this time, but you may score better value deals on accommodation in town.

Getting to Luang Prabang

Back in 2010, when I first visited, there was no airport.

You had two options, the epic slow boat journey from Northern Thailand, or a long bus journey from there or from Southern Laos. Most travellers to Luang Prabang used to come from Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai or Pai), with the slow boat being the most popular option.

Today, there’s now a small international airport in Luang Prabang. Lao Airlines and Bangkok Airways are currently the main carriers connecting the city with Bangkok, with Thai AirAsia also running a daily direct flight from Bangkok’s Don Muang airport. 

Laslty, since December 2021, there’s been a game-changing new option for reaching Luang Prabang from Vientiane, which is the Laos-China Railway. What used to be a gruelling 8-10 hour bus journey (I’ve done it a few times!) is now a smooth train ride of under 2 hours.

Second-class tickets typically run from around $20 USD, though prices vary by class and whether the service continues on into China.

Tickets can only be booked from 3 days before departure (either online or at the station), and popular routes sell out within minutes of release, so this needs more forward planning than you might expect for a “turn up and go” train.

Getting around the town

Luang Prabang’s centre is wonderfully compact and you can walk everywhere. However, you’ll need a tuk tun to go to some of the nearby sites outside of the town centre.

You may want to hire bikes and you can most likely do this at your hotel. Otherwise, there are bike rental shops all over town and one day hire is around 30,000 LAK (about £1).

To organise a tuk tuk to visit some of the attractions a little further afield, you can either ask a local driver in the street or ask at your hotel.

Where to stay in Luang Prabang

There is no shortage of small, family owned guesthouses in the town. Many of them are nestled behind the main street offering beautiful views of either the Mekong or Nam Khan River.

I’ve selected some of the best luxury hotels in Luang Prabang here:

• Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao (double rooms from £517 per night)
• Rosewood Luang Prabang (double rooms from £710 per night)
• The NamKhan (double rooms from £137 per night)

Mid-range options:

• Homm Souvannaphoum (double room from £136 per night)
• Avani+ Luang Prabang (double rooms from £126 per night)
• Villa Maly Boutique Hotel (double room from £114 per night)
• Kiridara (double rooms from £96 per night)
• Senglao Boutique Hotel (double rooms from £94 per night)
• 3 Nagas Hotel Luang Prabang – MGallery Collection (double rooms from £89 per night)
• Maison Dalabua (double room from £73 per night)

Budget hotels and guesthouses here:

• Lotus Villa (double rooms from £55 per night)
• Y Not Laos Hostel (double rooms from £44 per night)
• My Dream Boutique Hotel (double rooms from £42 per night)
• Singharat Guesthouse (double rooms from £22 per night)
• Luang Prabang Indochine Heritage Hotel (double rooms from £22 per night)
  

Best things to do in and around Luang Prabang

Go temple hopping

There are more than 30 active temples in the town. Tourists are welcome to explore many of these, as long as they are respectful and cover up inside.

One of the most opulent and largest temple complexes in the town is Wat Xieng Thong. A temple of great historic importance, the structure has characteristics of 16th-century Lao architecture, together with elaborate mosaic patterns and wall carvings. This is where royal coronations traditionally took place, and his temple offers a fascinating insight into the Buddhist religion.

Admission cost: 20,000 LAK (65p)

Or why not join a City Highlights tour that’ll take in all the key attractions of Luang Prabang (from £26 per person).

Visit the Royal Palace Museum

It’s easy to spend a couple of days in Luang Prabang without setting foot in the Royal Palace Museum (also known as Haw Kham), but it’s one of the best places in town to understand the city’s history. Built in 1904 for King Sisavang Vong, the palace blends traditional Lao and French architectural styles, and was converted into a museum after the 1975 revolution.

Inside, you’ll find the old throne room and the royal family’s private quarters, largely untouched since the monarchy ended. But the real highlight is the Phra Bang, a 2,000-year-old golden standing Buddha statue housed in the palace’s temple, Haw Pha Bang – it’s the holiest Buddha image in Laos, and in fact the city takes its name from this exact statue.

Cameras, bags and shoes all need to be left at the entrance (free lockers are provided), and the museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Admission is around 30,000 LAK (£1).

Explore the quaint streets and Mount Phousi

The French colonial architecture in Luang Prabang is colourful and quaint, and walking around the town centre is a joy. Along the main street, make sure to stop at Mount Phousi. This is the highest hill in Luang Prabang. There are 300 stairs to the top, but it is worth it for the views over the surrounding area and the Mekong River.

Enjoy the local cafe culture

One of my favourite things about Luang Prabang is the excellent coffee shops and bakeries. Waking up to the aroma of freshly baked bread is wonderful.

My favourite cafes include Joma Bakery, the Chang Kham bakery and the Ock Pop Tok Silk Road Cafe.

A little slice of Europe amid temples, monks and the Mekong river – perhaps I’m charmed by the unusual contrast. Either way I love it.

Watch a sunset by the Mekong River

Enjoy a drink at one of the many riverside bars and cafes and catch another beautiful sunset. Alternatively, head out onto the Mekong for a sunset river cruise. Book a sunset boat trip here (from £15 per person).

Watch the daily alms giving ceremony (Tak Bat in Laos)

Each and every day before sunrise, the town’s resident monks leave the temples and walk down Sakkaline Road in the heart of town. It’s one of the most iconic images of South East Asia.

Single file, the robed monks walk barefoot along the streets to collect food alms in their basket.

Not only is it a hugely important aspect of Lao culture and daily life in Luang Prabang, but a really interesting and unique way to participate in the town’s activity.

Any tourist is welcome to purchase sticky rice alms donations and join in at the side of the road.

Just remember to be respectful. Turn your camera flash off and don’t try to speak to the monks.

Savour the sights, smells and sounds of the night market

Every evening between 5 to 10pm, hill-tribe traders and local vendors come to the main street (Sisabvangvong Road) in Luang Prabang.

South East Asia has many night markets, but Luang Prabang’s is up there as one of the best, in my opinion.

The displays are beautiful, where you can buy everything from hand-painted art, wood carvings, jewellery, clothing and other local handicrafts.

Everything is great quality, but don’t try and haggle for a hard bargain. The Laos people are highly unconfrontational and will shy away from heavy bartering!

The night markets in Luang Prabang are a great spot to capture photos as the streets are so lively and full of colour.

Wander the morning market

There’s also a morning market which some would argue is the more interesting of the two if you want a genuine slice of local life. It’s held on the peninsula just off the main street and it winds down by around 10am, so you’ll need to get there reasonably early.

Unlike the night market’s souvenirs and handicrafts, this is where locals do their actual grocery shopping. Expect stalls piled high with tropical fruit, fresh fish, and produce you may not recognise, alongside jars of homemade rice wine. It’s also a good spot to grab a breakfast of khao jee, grilled sticky rice on a skewer, from one of the food stalls.

Tuck into the local food

Luang Prabang has some really excellent Laos and French restaurants. You’ll be hard pushed to find many other cuisines in the town.

There’s no shortage of excellent restaurants in the centre of town. My favourite restaurant is Tamarind. This lovely local restaurant aims to educate its guests on Lao cuisine through informative menus and the staff are happy to explain each dish.

They offer a number of set platters offering an array of Laotian dishes. Make sure to try the the herbed steamed fish served in a banana leaf – incredibly delicious!

Another great way to sample a variety of local dishes is to join a foodie tour such as this one (from £34 per person).

Enjoy a Lao cooking class

Why not learn to cook up some delicious Lao dishes? Cooking classes are always a great way to immerse yourself in the location culture, and Laos is no different. Learn to cook local dishes such as mok pa (steamed fish).

Ask your hotel or drop into one of the tourist stalls in town to arrange a class. Better yet, arrange one in advance (from £41 per person).

Visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC)

If you only visit one museum in Luang Prabang, this is the one worth prioritising. Laos is home to dozens of different ethnic groups, and the TAEC does an excellent job of explaining and celebrating that diversity through textiles, tools, clothing and interactive displays, with information in English throughout.

It’s a small, well-curated museum, so an hour or so is enough to see everything properly. There’s also a gift shop on site selling handicrafts, with proceeds supporting the ethnic minority communities featured in the exhibits.

Entry is around 25,000 LAK for adults (82p), 15,000 LAK for students, free for under-12s

Chill out by the river in the evening

Luang Prabang offers very little in terms of nightlife, but there are some hip riversides bars. Overlooking the Nam Khan river, they are a great spot for a daytime beer and chill. Or later in the evening, for a sundowner.

Explore along the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers

As mentioned, Luang Prabang is a small town located on a peninsula, with the tip being located at the confluence of the two rivers.

Not only can you take a dip in the rivers either side, but you can cross them by bamboo bridge and explore the villages opposite.

Day trips from Luang Prabang

Enjoy the Kuang Si Waterfalls

The beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls are one of the most popular attractions in Laos.

Located around 30km from the centre of town, they’re one of the top things to see in Luang Prabang.

If you can, go on a weekday when it’ll be less busy, and definitely arrive early for fewer crowds. Make sure to check this guide on visiting the Kuang Si Falls here.

In the winter months, the water temperature may be a little cool. In the summer months, you can easily spend a full day jumping in and out of the water.

The water is more turquoise in winter months when the water levels are lower and the falls are more gentle. In the summer months, the water often towns brown as it churns up the mud from the bottom.

Admission cost: 20,000 LAK (65p)

Tuk-tuk from town: 30,000-40,000 LAK (95p-£1.30)

Or book your tour to Kuang Si Waterfalls by tuk tuk here in advance.

Befriend the Moon Bears

At the entrance to the waterfalls, there is an amazing bear sanctuary, the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre. Home to a fascinating group of Moon Bears, it’s definitely worth stopping by. The bears are so playful and amusing to watch.

Free the Bears has been busy expanding its Luang Prabang operation, with several new bear houses added or planned in the last couple of years, so there may be even more bears to see than when I last went!

Spend the day with elephants at MandaLao

One of my favourite days ever was spent at Mandalao Elephant Conservation, near to Luang Prabang. A truly ethical experience, Mandalao have rescued animals from logging or the tourism trade and given them peaceful, safe homes at Mandalao.

You can join small groups for various elephant engagement activities, but absolutely no riding takes place at Mandalao. Read more about my wonderful experience at Mandalao here.

Take a boat trip to the Pak Ou Caves

A couple of hours upriver from Luang Prabang by boat, the Pak Ou Caves are two limestone caves stuffed with thousands of Buddha statues, left as offerings by locals over centuries. The larger, lower cave is easily accessible and has lovely views back over the Mekong. The smaller upper cave is pitch dark, so bring a torch (or your phone) and wear proper shoes for the steps.

The journey there is honestly half the appeal. Enjoy a beautiful slow cruise up the Mekong past fishing villages and karst scenery. Most people combine this with a stop at Ban Xang Hai, a riverside “whiskey village” known for its home-brewed rice whiskey (Lao Lao), which makes for an interesting (if slightly touristy) quick stop.

You can book a shared boat trip through most tour agencies on the main street in town, or charter a private boat if you’d rather go at your own pace. Entry fee to the cave is 20,000 LAK (66p) and the shared boat trip is roughly $6-8 USD per person.

This excellent tour here takes in the Pak Ou Caves and the Kuang Si Waterfalls together (from £38 per person).

Luang Prabang Travel Guide

So there you have my Luang Prabang Travel guide to the top things to do and see in this beautiful area. I hope this guide proves useful and that maybe I’ve inspired you to visit this gorgeous island on your travels! If you’ve already been to Luang Prabang, let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you!

If you’re travelling around the country,  read this post on backpacking Laos and make sure to check out my guide to my Mandalao Elephant experience. Vientiane is the capital and largest city in Laos, located around a 6 hour drive away. I’d recommend visiting here too – here’s a great guide on the best things to do in Vientiane to help with your planning.

Laos works really well as a twin-centre trip with Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Check out my other South East Asia blog posts here:

• Island-hopping the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand
• Mai Khao paradise beach in Phuket, Thailand
• Thailand Travel Guide: The Best Places to Visit in Thailand
• Cambodia Travel Guide: The Best Places to Visit in Cambodia
• Vietnam Travel Guide: The Best Places to Visit in Vietnam
• Singapore Travel Guide: The Best Things to See and Do in Singapore
• Sanur, Bali: A Complete Travel Guide

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Disclaimer: This visit to Luang Prabang was entirely paid for by myself. There was no involvement from the tourism board or a hotel. This is an independent guide.

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