Luang Prabang
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Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓Show on the map
Tips
10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Turquoise multi-tiered waterfall and swimming pools south of town
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Bring swimwear and water shoes
- Entry fee is paid at the gate
📷 Photos
- 2
16th-century royal temple with the famous tree of life mosaic
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: Dress code
1 tip
- Small entry fee applies
📷 Photos
- 3
Former royal palace with regalia and gifts from world leaders
- Must know: Closed Tuesdays
2 tips
- No photos inside
- Bags must be left at the entrance
📷 Photos
- 4
Central hill with 328 steps and sunset views over the Mekong
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Arrive before sunset to find a spot
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Ticket is sold at the base
📷 Photos
- 5
Nightly Hmong handicraft market along Sisavangvong Road
3 tips
- Opens around dusk
- Bargain politely
- Cash in kip is best
📷 Photos
- 6
Dawn procession of saffron-robed monks receiving alms
3 tips
- Observe respectfully from a distance
- Do not use flash
- Be wary of vendors selling offerings
📷 Photos
- 7
Ornate gilded temple beside the old palace
3 tips
- Look for the golden relief panels
- Small entry fee
- Combine with the palace visit
📷 Photos
- 8
Mekong caves filled with thousands of Buddha statues
3 tips
- Reach it by river boat
- Bring a flashlight
- Combine with a whisky village stop
📷 Photos
- 9
Oldest operating temple in town with the watermelon stupa
3 tips
- Quiet and less crowded
- Small entry fee
- Pair with Wat Aham
📷 Photos
- 10
Sanctuary for rescued Asiatic black bears near the falls
3 tips
- Free entry with donations welcome
- Visit before the falls
- Keep voices low
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Luang Prabang tips
Transportation
- Walk or cycle the peninsula: The old town between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers is compact and flat; walking or renting a bicycle is the best way to explore.
- Agree tuk-tuk fares first: Tuk-tuks are the main taxis; settle the price before you get in, especially for trips to the railway station or Kuang Si Falls.
- Take the train: The Laos-China Railway links Luang Prabang with Vientiane and Vang Vieng; the station is outside town, so plan a tuk-tuk or minivan to reach it.
Security
- Respect the river: The Mekong has strong currents; swim only where locals do and wear life jackets on boat trips, particularly in the rainy season.
- Stay on marked paths: Unexploded ordnance remains in parts of rural Laos; stick to established trails and roads when exploring the countryside.
- Watch for overcharging: Petty crime is rare, but some vendors and drivers inflate prices for tourists; check prices and count your change.
Saving
- Eat at the night market buffet: Food stalls near the night market offer cheap buffet plates of noodles, vegetables and rice, plus grilled meats and fish.
- Grab a baguette: Street stalls sell filling baguette sandwiches, a legacy of French influence, for a quick and cheap breakfast or lunch.
- Pay in kip: Prices quoted in dollars or baht often work out higher; carry Lao kip in small notes for markets, tuk-tuks and street food.
Weather/Clothing
- Visit in the cool season: November to February is dry with warm days and cool mornings; bring a light jumper for early starts and boat trips.
- Expect smoke and heat in spring: March to May is hot, and agricultural burning can make the air hazy; bring a mask if you are sensitive to smoke.
- Pack for monsoon rain: The rainy season runs roughly from May to October; bring a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes and sandals with grip.
Cultural
- Watch alms giving respectfully: At dawn monks collect alms on the main street; keep your distance, stay silent, never use flash and only take part if it means something to you.
- Dress modestly at temples: Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes before entering temple halls, and women should avoid touching monks or their robes.
- Try Lao classics: Taste laap, sticky rice eaten by hand, Luang Prabang sausage and khao soi, the local noodle soup, with a cold Beerlao.
Local Hacks
- Go early to Kuang Si Falls: Arrive soon after opening to swim in the turquoise pools before crowds, and visit the bear rescue centre near the entrance.
- Climb Mount Phousi at sunrise: Sunset on Mount Phousi is very crowded; sunrise offers the same river and temple views with far fewer people.
- Cross the bamboo bridge: In the dry season a seasonal bamboo bridge spans the Nam Khan, a fun shortcut to cafes and villages on the other side.
1-day itineraries in Luang Prabang
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 2
Wat Xieng Thong and around
🕘 9:30–16:30📍 5 stops
- 1Wat Xieng Thong
- 2Mount Phousi
- 3Royal Palace Museum (Haw Kham)
- 4Luang Prabang Night Market
- 5Tak Bat Alms Giving Ceremony
Day 2 of 2
Wat Visounnarath and around
🕘 9:30–13:15📍 4 stops
- 1Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre
- 2Wat Visounnarath
- 3Wat Aham
- 4Nam Khan Bamboo Bridge