Laos is a wonderful country filled with an interesting culture, long history and fun atmosphere and is best experienced in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang. It is easy to see why the small city; located at the merging of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, attracts so many visitors each year.Â
If you need a little inspiration or help planning what to do in Luang Prabang then we have listed EVERYTHING you shouldn’t miss in this area.
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1. Explore the Old Town
Luang Prabang, if known for anything, is a UNESCO World Heritage site which means its beautiful and an exceptional example of preserved historical life. The town oozes with culture and history with rich architectural and artistic heritage that reflects the fusion of Lao traditional, urban architecture and the merging of colonial era styles.Â
So just walking around the streets and taking time to glance at the old wooden buildings is a must on your list of things to do in Luang Prabang.
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2. Alms Giving Ceremony
A very important activity that takes place every morning whether tourists are there or not is the alms giving ceremony where lines of monks usually in orange robes line up with decorated bowls ready to accept gifts and offerings from the local people.Â
The Buddhist Monks live a devout life and cannot touch or handle money so they rely on people to donate their food and support them. So everyday at dawn people line up to give.Â
You may join in and donate to the Monks or simply just look from afar but we do recommend not interfering too much. Please remember this is a religious ceremony with great importance so it is advised to be respectful. In recent times it has become a lot more popular with some rather large tours turning up so it is even more important to be mindful.
3. Visit the Morning Market
An easy addition after attending the Alms giving practice would be to wander around the morning market that sprawls over the streets of Luang Prabang. This would be the perfect place to pick up breakfast such as tropical fruits or why not try a locally prepared Lao breakfast dish.Â
The morning market is full of locals picking up their daily needs and is a great insight into the life and culture of Laos. This gives it an authentic feeling – more so than the night market and this is why it should definitely be on your to-do list.
4. Eat Street Food
Laotian food can be compared to Thai and Cambodian dishes in that they share staples and flavours, however, the Lao people love to put their own twist and Luang Prabang is a great place to try some. Being just next to the mighty rivers makes Luang Prabang a great place to eat fish and there are many steamed fish dishes found wrapped in banana leaves.Â
A favourite dish of Laos is laab (sometimes spelled larb) and is a salad with ground meat, herbs and seasoned with fish sauce. The most common type is made with duck meat but you can also taste pork or beef too.Â
There are many other favourites that you may have already tried in Thailand for example Pad Thai and Khao Soi which are equally as tasty in Laos. Plus Khao Poon which is a rice noodle dish packed with spice and herbs.
At the night market you can find more international and western dishes or snacks such as Japanese Ramen, Fried chicken and a whole array of other tasty treats.
Whatever type of food you like, even the pickiest of eaters can try some Laotian food and feel more than satisfied. And the secret is that street food is usually the cheapest and most flavourful way to do this.
5. Go Shopping at the Market
The local night market seems to grow in size every time we visit and it comprises of many local vendors setting up stands either on the floor or carts and selling goods. After filling your stomach with food then it is time to empty your wallets.
The night market starts around 5pm and vendors will close around 11pm so there is ample time to walk up and down the aisles admiring and purchasing the items on offer. This market is the must visit spot at night time and you will find most other travellers here with the same idea.
The night market has some unique buys that are sometimes handmade by the vendors themselves such as jewellery, trinkets or paintings. And of course the normal sights such as patterned trousers, shirts and dresses as well as fridge magnets and shot glasses can be found here too.
It is a local custom to negotiate on prices but always be polite and if you cannot agree a deal then leave and find a different vendor who is happy to agree on a price. Remember that some vendors may try to give you a highly inflated price but this is only because they are trying to make a living; try to find a deal that is good for both parties.
6. Visit Temples
Laos is home to nearly 5,000 Buddhist Temples and Luang Prabang has some of the best. You will see a lot of these magnificent Temples if you just stroll around the streets and we highly recommend stopping in at a few of them; Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Haw Pha Bang and Wat Mixay all deserve a little visit.
The things that you can learn from walking around the Temples and enjoying some moments of peace are endless and the Monks living inside the complexes are more than happy to be observed going about their daily routines. It is definitely worth hopping from Wat to Wat if you are in Luang Prabang.
Remember to behave respectfully such as covering up your shoulders and legs, plus no running or loud or rude behaviour as these are important places of worship.
7. Phousi Hill
A well known spot that many people make a short pilgrimage to is the top of Phousi Hill a 100 metre tall hill that is a perfect place to lookout at the city and rivers. The views are extraordinary and worth the strain of climbing up the 300 steps and a small entrance fee of around 20,000 kip.
There are two ways up; either opposite the Royal Palace Museum or opposite the Nam Khan river. We went up one and down the other in order to experience as much as possible. Along the way down there are some religious statues and a cool cave which are worth checking out.
Along the ascent there are a few small Buddhist Temples so again please be respectful and cover up, there are signs before you enter advising what is appropriate or not. Another Temple is located at the top of the hill; Wat Chom Si and it is a regal backdrop to sit and enjoy the views.
As a word of warning it does get very busy around sunset so if you want an undisturbed view you will need to arrive early or just pick a different time of day to visit Phousi Hill.
8. Workshops
Luang Prabang does not just want to keep its interesting history to itself, it wants to share it. That is why a very special experience in the city is to sign up to one of the many workshops that are on offer.Â
You could learn how to make traditional paper jewellery or how to weave bamboo plus many more long forgotten arts. These hands-on experiences leave a lasting memory and sometimes a craft too that you can keep to remind you of Luang Prabang and its intricate heritage.
9. Cooking Class
Another class that is well worth your time and money is to book onto a traditional Lao cooking class.Â
The class will teach you the basic techniques as well as common ingredients or spices used in Lao dishes. And then guide you through cooking the dishes step by step with a nice meal together at the end. There is usually a market visit included where you can buy the ingredients for your dishes and learn to bargain with locals which can be a lot of fun too.
This can be a great way to meet fellow travellers as well as learn a lot about Laotian food. We highly recommend booking this tour at the start of your trip so that you know a bit about the food and this will help you on your culinary journey in Laos.
10. Kuang Xi Waterfall
Kuang Xi or Kuang Si Falls is a beautiful waterfall located around 30 km from Luang Prabang. Once you arrive you will be met with magnificent falls that seem to go on and on. The cool blue water runs down into three limestone sculpted rock pools and many smaller little falls. It is far easier to look at the pictures of this amazing waterfall rather than describe it.
Swimming is possible in one of the main pools and is the best way to cool down from the tropical heat, if the water is deep enough then you can also jump in from the overhanging rock which is perfect for any thrill-seekers.
Do bear in mind that the pools only have their bright turquoise colour in the dry season. It is best to plan your trip after the rainy season has finished so anywhere between December and May should be good for swimming.
In the grounds of the waterfall there is also a Moon Bear Sanctuary protecting the endangered species. They are a curious breed of small bear resembling both a dog and big cat. When walking either up or down the waterfall be sure to check out their enclosures and donate a little bit of money to the cause if you can.Â
You can purchase tickets for Kuang Si Falls Park at the entrance for 20,000 kip per person. The park area is open daily from 8am until 5.30pm. You can visit either with a tour which will organise transport for you or discover at your own pace by renting a motorbike and driving yourself.
11. Bamboo Bridge
Another attraction that is only available for a limited time of the year is the rickety bamboo bridge that crosses over the Nam Khan river. For only a small fee around 10,000 kip you can cross the bridge which is a great experience in itself and explore the other side of the river for a while before popping back over.
The money is used to support the family that have to rebuild the bridge every year! This is because during the wet season; May to October, the water rises up and is so strong it actually sweeps the bridge away.Â
It is a lot of fun to cross this 100 metre long bridge made by locals with locally sourced materials. It is a little rickety and seems unstable but there is really no problem and it can easily uphold people walking along it. Make sure to check this out if you are visiting in the dry season.
12. Take in the Views of the Mekong
A wonderful way to waste an afternoon or early evening is to sit at one of the many local restaurants on the river and have some food or drinks while taking in the view. This can be enjoyed year round and if you choose a local place to sit in is usually quite cheap as well.Â
To upgrade this experience consider visiting at sunset where you will see pink fluffy skies reflecting from the water.Â
If you really want to save money there are a few spots where you can sit without going into an establishment and have your own picnic too.
13. Take a Mekong Tour
The Mekong River is the third longest in Asia and a mighty expanse of water that runs through; China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and of course Laos. Thousands of communities rely on the river for food, home and even to make a living.
A great way of exploring Luang Prabang is by boat and taking in the views from a different perspective.
There are many Mekong River Tours ranging in price; some offer dinner or a stop at The Pak Ou Cave but all will deliver a beautiful day on the water.
14. Bowling
When the sun sets in Luang Prabang the city goes to sleep too and there are not many late-night places to spend your nights. Most bars or markets close at midnight so if you want to party the night away there is only one place.
The bowling alley which is just a little out of the main town is fully functioning and every night you can find backpackers of all ages throwing strikes and partying together. They serve well priced drinks and the atmosphere is fun; less of a focus is on the actual bowling itself and more on just hanging out and partying.
If this is your type of thing then make sure to take a quick tuk-tuk there and find out what it is all about.Â
15. Learn About Lao Customs
A lot of travellers in Luang Prabang tend to stay in budget dorm hostels or book nicer rooms in hotels along the river. But a great way to connect with the locals is to, quite literally, live with them.
Booking your accommodation in a homestay or guest house is a cheap and much more local way to live when visiting Luang Prabang. The families that host tourists are more than happy to talk about Laos and show you their culture and customs. This can be an amazing and authentic way to learn a few Laotian phrases, how to cook local dishes and some secret tips that only the long-term residents would have.
Conclusion
It is only a small ‘city’ and has an even small town vibe, despite this Luang Prabang is one of the most visited places in Laos. And for good reason!
There are plenty of activities to get stuck into and enjoy everything that Luang Prabang has to offer.
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