There are many fantastic things to do in Luang Prabang. Firstly, you can enjoy nature-based activities, or delve deep into the rich history of this wonderful town; You’ll find it hard to pick an activity for the day!
Secondly, there are a few of these activities listed below that you absolutely need to complete! Some of the waterfalls are insanely striking and the culture-based activities are extremely informative.
Finally, at the end of the day, you’ll watch the city come to life with everyone congregating at the night market for the ultimate feast.
Luang Prabang was my favourite place in Laos, and you’re just about to discover why! I truly loved this little town, and I’m sure you will too! Happy travels!
Where is Luang Prabang?
Luang Prabang is a gorgeous city set in the north of Laos. It’s set alongside the Mekong River and Nam Khan River and is a 6.5-hour drive north of the capital of Vientiane.
Essentially, it’s in the middle of the Northern region of Laos.
Why Should You Visit Luang Prabang?
I believe that every traveller to Laos should visit Luang Prabang as it is a town rich in history and packed with fantastic nature-based activities.
There are loads of temples to explore and there is always something to do in this fascinating little town. Not to mention, it’s very different from the rest of Laos and has quite a unique charm to it.
Read more: Backpacking Laos: 2-Week Itinerary Map, Costs, and Travel Tips
How Long Should You Spend in Luang Prabang?
Most travellers only drop in for a few days, however, I recommend at least 5 days in Luang Prabang. There are loads of things to do and I think that it’s one of the best places to visit in Laos.
So, save some time to enjoy this fantastic place!
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Luang Prabang?
For the most part, the weather is coolest and dryest from November to March. However, I visited Laos in August and had no problem with the rain or humidity!
If you visit during the rainy season, there’ll usually only be a quick downpour and then it’s back to warm and sunny weather!
Is Laos Safe for Solo Travellers?
Laos is an extremely safe place for solo travellers! I’m a solo female traveller and I had no worries travelling the whole country by myself. Locals are friendly and helpful and there are lots of other solo travellers trekking around the country.
The 20 Best Things to Do in Luang Prabang
Now that you have a little more understanding of what to expect before visiting Luang Prabang, it’s time to get into the best things to do.
- Phousi Hill
Phousi Hill is the ultimate sunset adventure for all travellers. Firstly, this is a sacred hill to the Laotian people and it sits about 100m above the town. While wandering anywhere in town, if you look to the highest point, you’ll probably see Wat Chom Si towering over the entirety of Luang Prabang.
This is a gorgeous golden Buddhist temple perched right at the top of the mountain. However, you will need to be prepared for a bit of a hike as there are roughly 300 steps required to reach the top!
Additionally, there is an entrance fee of 20,000 Laotian Kip, so please bring some cash along with you! Be sure to head to Phousi Hill for the ultimate sunset spot.
Tip: Please don’t bring any alcohol with you to this adventure and save it for dinner. Drinking at temples is highly disrespectful to the locals and Buddhist community.
- Kuang Si Waterfall
This waterfall absolutely takes the cake as the best waterfall I’ve ever seen in my life, easily. Firstly, this waterfall is about a 50-minute drive South of Luang Prabang and you can easily complete the adventure by hiring a driver or renting a scooter. I took the scooter option and had no problem making the journey.
And, if there’s anything you’re going to do while in Luang Prabang, it must be this waterfall. It genuinely looks like it’s out of a fairytale!
So, how is the water so blue? Well, the water rushes over the limestone rocks, slowly chipping away at the calcium carbonate. Then, light reflects on these light particles giving the water the light aqua appearance. Pretty cool hey?!
Take some time wandering the magnificent waterfalls, and you can even swim in some of the lower falls! Just be mindful though as the water is extremely powerful and there are loads of hidden rocks beneath the surface.
If you’re up for a little more adventure, follow the track to the left up to the top of the waterfall. You will get to enjoy breathtaking views and there is another gorgeous spot for a dip in the water. Paradise! However, keep in mind that it is a steep track with many areas of it quite slippery. Some solid footwear is advised!
- Wat Xiengthong
If you’re a lover of temples, then you need to check out this beautiful wat in the north of the town. Just like many other temples, the architecture is just divine and you could easily spend many hours getting lost in the attention to detail.
- Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre
Step foot into this beautiful museum to delve deeper into Laotion culture. Moreover, this is a fantastic display of clothing, tools and religious objects for those interested in learning about the history of Laos.
The museum is quite small, so you don’t need much time, but it’s jampacked with information regarding the history of weaving and the importance of these tools used for many years; A fascinating experience!
- Na Vieng Kham Market
The Na Vieng Kham Market is one of the best things to do in Luang Prabang as it’s a local market filled with loads of goods. From fresh fruit and produce to clothing and accessories, this place is a great experience for all travellers!
Not to mention, this is an excellent place to stock up on some cheap fruit to get you through the day!
- Tat Sae Waterfalls
The smaller sibling of the Kuang Si Waterfalls is the Tat Sae Waterfalls. And, this waterfall is great as it’s usually got a lot fewer visitors!
Firstly, you will need to take a long tail boat to get across the river, and then you will need to pay the entrance fee to enter the park. Moreover, this is roughly a total of 30,000 Laotian Kip.
Nonetheless, there are lots of spots to swim in the stunningly blue water and you might even see some elephants hanging around!
- Mekong Sunset Cruise
The Mekong sunset cruise is easily one of the best things that I did while in Luang Prabang. I went with a company called ‘Sa Sa Sunset Cruise’, it was absolutely fantastic!
The cruise boat is a small double-decker with loads of comfy chairs and lounges on board. And, I highly recommend being one of the first to board the boat to save yourself the best seat in the house. Nonetheless, any of the seats up top have the best view!
You will get a free drink on arrival and have the option to order more food and drink during the cruise. Finally, the price per person is 150,000 Kip, and it runs from about 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
- Bamboo Bridge
The Bamboo Bridge is in the north of the town and it’s a small bridge that crosses the Nam Khan river. The bridge leads to small villages over the other side of the river and there is an excellent sunset spot to park up for the night.
Finally, this is a great place for a quick wander just before sunset.
- Ock Pop Tof Living Craft Centre
Head a little further south downtown to check out this nifty little craft centre. Moreover, there are loads of locally made goods for sale created by local artisans. You can wander through the weaving area where you can watch the locals make these stunning items on the spot!
- Nahm Dong Park
Nahm Dong Park is an excellent place for a day trip with loads of activities to enjoy. Including, trails, zip lines, cable bridges, viewpoints and animals. This is an excellent place to enjoy some time with nature.
You can purchase adventure passes with their website online and look at all of the options for things to do.
- Luang Prabang Night Market
Every night a fantastic market pops up in the town centre of Luang Prabang. Not to mention, this is easily one of the best things to do during the night in Luang Prabang.
Wander through the tightly packed crowds and explore all the local food offerings. I highly recommend the grilled skewers and curry dishes. They are absolutely divine and packed with flavour!
After you’ve had a bite to eat, wander the market stalls and check out all the impressive artwork, hand-weaved goods, jewellery, clothing and so much more!
This is definitely one of the better markets I visited during my time in South East Asia.
- Old French Bridge
The Old French Bridge is a significant crossing bridge for all the locals in Luang Prabang. Moreover, this bridge is constantly in use by locals crossing the Nam Khan river. And, this bridge dates back to when it was built in the 1920s.
Many tourists like to experience this bridge first-hand by riding a scooter across it like a local. However, I suggest taking it slow and watching where you ride as some of the planks wobble making it really hard to steer!
Tip: Mind your step if you make use of the pedestrian crossing as there are multiple planks of wood missing!
- The Living Land Company
The Living Land Company is a fascinating experience for all travellers to try. At the living land, you can learn how to farm rice, experience the life of a farmer, explore local food, and try some traditional Laos dishes.
Moreover, you will get the chance to plant seedlings, cut and bundle rice, plough the paddy, and thresh rice. Besides, this is a great way to learn how this important component ends up on our plates and gain a new kind of appreciation.
- MandaLao Elephant Conservation
Support the conservation of elephants in Laos with this fantastic company. There are a few tours you can enjoy including communicating with elephants and trekking with elephants. Moreover, this is a unique experience and fascinating to encounter the lives of these elephants.
MandaLao aims to support the population of elephants in Laos with the aim of putting them back into the wild. You can learn more about the MandaLao tours here and find other ways to support them.
- Pak Ou Caves
The Pak Ou Caves are one of my favourite things to do in Luang Prabang. You will need to take a scooter ride about 45 minutes north of Luang Prabang in order to reach the closest parking point. I recommend parking somewhere near Manivanh restaurant.
After parking your vehicle, you will need to wander down to the Mekong River where you will pay a local roughly 20,000 Kip to take you across the river on their boat.
While you’re at the caves, you can wander to some of the top caves and enjoy the many stunning vantage points along the way. There are roughly 4000 buddha statues within the caves and you will hear loads of bats inside; A really awesome experience!
- Try One of the Many Restaurants
There are tonnes of great food options to enjoy in Luang Prabang, and you’re sure to find a delicious feast anywhere you go. Not to mention, there is an excellent mix of Western and local eateries within the town so you will truly be spoilt for choice!
Who would’ve thought a landlocked and developing country like Laos would be so culturally diverse!? I really enjoyed trying as much as there was on offer in this fascinating place! Some of my restaurant or cafe recommendations include:
- Indigo Cafe
- Break For A Bread
- Two Little Birds Cafe
- Manda De Laos
- Nangvong Noodle Shop
- Tad Thong Waterfall
Yet another fantastic waterfall to experience is the Tad Thong Waterfall. Keep in mind, you will need to hike roughly 45 minutes through the dense jungle, so I wouldn’t advise making this trek alone! So, go with a hostel buddy or travel partner.
There is a lovely small pool in which you can swim in and the walk through the jungle is an absolute experience!
- Explore the City on Foot or Scooter
Riding a scooter is heaps of fun! Especially when you can ride around a funky little town like Luang Prabang. So, why not hire a scooter for the day and zoom around while exploring!? Who knows what you might stumble upon when setting off on your own adventure!
Otherwise, take a stroll on foot and be open to the adventure of meeting locals and chatting with people. Laotian people are lovely, and they might invite you to join them for lunch or dinner!
- Bamboo Weaving Class
Why not take a class to learn how these locals weave bamboo!? And, it’s a pretty fascinating skill that you can pick up! Additionally, you will learn about the importance of the bamboo plant in Laotian culture and how they’ve used this plant over the years to create different things.
- Multi-Day Trek
Last but not least, one of the most incredible experiences you could take part in is a multi-day trek. You will get the chance to hike some trails with a guide, stay overnight in a small village, and swim at Tad Sae waterfall.
Not to mention, this is a great way to see the life of some of these villagers and to get in touch with a different part of the world. I highly recommend checking out more about this experience here as it will be one of the highlights of your trip!
Accommodation in Luang Prabang
There are many options for accommodation in Luang Prabang, and I’ll address a few of the best options.
Downtown Backpackers Hostel 2 — $
Dorms from 70,000 Kip per night
Airconditioned rooms
Free Breakfast
Mini fans on each bed
Mali House — $$
Private rooms from 220,000 Kip per night
Typical Lao-style house
100m walk from the night market and town centre
Rooms are decorated with local crafts
The Belle River Boutique Hotel — $$$
Private rooms from 1,900,000 Kip per night
Views over the Mekong River
Free minibar
On-site restaurant
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, Luang Prabang is a fantastic place to explore and is a must-visit location while spending time in Laos. Besides, there are lots to enjoy from cultural to nature adventures, you’ll find it hard to get sick of this place!
I only got to spend about 4 days in this beautiful town, and I was devastated when I had to leave. I could’ve easily spent a week completing all the activities and taking in the beauty of this town!
If you would like to learn more about Laos, I highly recommend checking out my 2-week backpacking itinerary. I go into further depth about all the places you need to visit and give the ultimate itinerary so you don’t have to go out of your way to make your own travel plan!
Not to mention, I talk a bit about the best time of year to visit, costs, travel tips and so much more!
Happy reading!
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