The 6 Best Things to Do in Luang Prabang
Nestled between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers is Luang Prabang, a charming province in northern Laos. This UNESCO World Heritage town is loaded with history, temples, nature, and colonial-style architecture. At dawn, orange-robed monks silently wander the streets, collecting alms in a timeless ritual that speaks to the town's deeply rooted Buddhist heritage. If you are wondering what the best things to do in Luang Prabang are, look no further! Luang Prabang is truly an opportunity to dive into the heart of Laotian culture, and I have put together a list of 6 things you cannot miss during your time in town.
Find an in-depth Laos travel guide here that includes tips and tricks for traveling around the country. Or head here for a complete Luang Prabang 1-day itinerary.
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The 6 Best Things to do in Luang Prabang
#1: Dive into Buddhist Heritage
Luang Prabang, being the spiritual capital of Laos, attracts monks from all over the country to its monasteries and temples. Traditionally, young boys enter monkhood for some time, often as a rite of passage or to gain an education. All of this contributes to the large population of those seeking enlightenment and faith in Luang Prabang, offering an incredible chance for travelers to experience this for themselves.
The Alms Giving Ceremony:
One option is to experience the Alms Giving Ceremony which takes place in the early hours of the morning. Located in the old city center, this spiritual practice involves orange-robed monks walking the streets in a silent, single file, gathering offerings from the community (sticky rice, fruit, and other traditional foods) as a form of respect, blessings, and gratitude. After collecting alms, the monks return to their temples with the offerings.
Respectful Tips:
The ceremony takes place at 5:30 AM in the summer and 6:30 AM in the winter, so be sure to get there early!
It is conducted in complete silence and is a deeply spiritual event. Remember to remain quiet and dress appropriately (cover your knees, midsection, and shoulders, and tie back your hair). Silence your phone and other electronics that might make noise.
Once you find a spot, remove your shoes and kneel among the other people paying respect to the monks. Women should keep their heads lower than the monks to show respect. Eye contact and touching are forbidden.
Bring donations so you can partake in the event, and place them directly into the monks' wooden baskets yourself. The morning market provides plenty of options for donations.
If you want to take photos, keep some distance from the procession and turn off your flash. Do not follow the procession while capturing photos.
The Orange Robe Tour:
A second option is to opt for an Orange Robe Tour. This is an incredible opportunity to sit with former novices and monks to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of Buddhist monk life and to ask all those burning questions privately and respectfully. I asked every question you could imagine. Afterward, the monk will give you a tour of a local temple and offer you the chance to experience different levels of meditation. The tour can last 1-2 hours depending on which one you book and costs around $20-30. For me, this is one of the best things to do in Luang Prabang.
#2: Experience Authentic and local Handicraft
Lao Pottery House:
Want to get in touch with your creative side whilst experiencing a native handicraft? Head to Laos Pottery House, a local family-owned business where you can experience a village tour, a pottery class, and even a delicious local meal depending on which option you book. This tour must be pre-booked.
I did the 1-hour pottery workshop which included a short tour, pottery making, tea, and bananas. I got to take some pottery home as well. The price for this 1-hour tour was 15 USD.
How to get there:
Take the 5-minute public ferry boat ride to cross the Mekong River. The boat ride costs 20,000 Kip. Vehicles are allowed on the ferry as well for an additional fee. Once on the other side of the river, you can either walk 45 minutes to the pottery town, hire a taxi, or bring your motorbike rental and ride the 6 minutes there.
I chose to walk there with my boyfriend. The walk was down one road with trees on one side and local farms on the other. We felt safe the entire way with very few motorcycles passing us on the road. On the way back, we chose to take a boat down the river arranged by the pottery house. The cost was around $3-5— be sure to bring cash.
Pottery Created By Yours Truly!
#3: Catch a Sunset:
Being another picturesque Laos town, a Luang Prabang sunset is an experience you cannot miss, making it onto the list of the best things to do in Luang Prabang. For this, you have a couple of unique options to pick from!
Option 1: Climb Mount Phousi
Mount Phousi is a temple that sits on a hill 100 meters above the historic city center. Being bordered by rivers on either side makes it the ideal place to take in the sunset from all sides of the hill. This spot can get quite crowded, so be sure to get there early, leaving plenty of time to explore and find a spot for the sunset. The fee to go up the 300 steps to the top is 20,000 Kip, and there are two ways to go up, one in front of the Grand Palace and the other on the side with the Nam Khan River.
Pro Tip: This is another sacred landmark, so be sure to cover your shoulders, knees, midsections, etc.
Option 2: Mekong River Cruise
Set sail on a Mekong River Cruise while enjoying a local dinner on a Mekong River Sunset Cruise. Although I did not do this myself, a friend of mine enjoyed this option. The boat ride can be quite expensive and is not exactly backpacker-friendly, but it can still be well worth the experience depending on what type of traveler you are.
#4: Explore the Royal Palace Museum & Temples
The Royal Palace Museum:
I greatly enjoyed my visit to the Royal Palace Museum and I think it is another great way to learn more about Laos’ heritage. The museum has three main sections: the palace itself, which contains the main exhibits, the temple, and the “garage,” which houses the means of transportation for the Royal Family. I spent around 2 hours reading and exploring the grounds.
Price to Enter: 30,000 Kip
Hours of Operation: 8:00-11:30 and 1:30 - 4:00
Closed on Some Holidays and Tuesdays
Dress Modestly. Shoes must be removed before entering and bags must be kept in a locked locker area.
No photography is allowed inside the buildings. I saw one man attempt to take photos of some of the vehicles, and a guard angrily stormed over to him, yelled at him, and took his phone to go through his photos and delete them entirely.
Pro Tip: Trust me—ignore the negative reviews people have left. You will miss out on an incredible experience! This is by far one of the best things to do in Luang Prabang.
The Temples:
There are over 30 temples to explore in Luang Prabang. If you are short on time or only want to visit one then I suggest checking out the oldest temple, Wat Xieng Thong. This temple is open between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. It is 20,000 Kip per person to enter.
#5: Visit a Market:
There are two main markets in Luang Prabang. The morning market next to the Royal Palace runs from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and the night market along Sisavangvong Road operates from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The morning market sells mostly fresh produce, dried fruits, nuts, and similar items. The night market lights up the entire road with tents filled with vendors selling jewelry, textiles, carvings, clothing, knick-knacks, fresh baked goods, crepes, and more.
#6: Day Trip to a Waterfall:
A 40-minute drive away is the beautiful, turquoise falls of Kuang Si Falls. These falls are open for swimming, hiking, rope swinging, and other activities. It is around 20,000 Kip to enter and there are also food and drink options available for purchase at the entrance. These falls can get extremely crowded with tours, so it is best to go earlier in the morning. If you prefer a less touristy option but still want to see a waterfall I suggest heading to Tad Sae Waterfalls.
These incredible falls are a highlight of Luang Prabang and perhaps the best thing to do in Luang Prabang for every traveler. Sadly, I was unable to visit either of these options due to a stomach illness. ☹
Some Other Honorable Mentions
Attend A Cooking Class:
One of the best things to do in Luang Prabang, and while traveling in Southeast Asia in general, is to attend a cooking class. Bamboo Tree Restaurant offers a class, and although we did not participate in the cooking class, we did eat there frequently, and the food was incredible.
Pak Ou Caves:
The Park Ou Caves were something I came across during our research before traveling to Luang Prabang. I felt it might have become a bit of a tourist trap and a little too crowded for my comfort. Instead, I chose to do the Orange Robe experience to learn more about the spiritual side of Luang Prabang! However, I’d love to hear about your experiences if you have been.
General Information: Luang Prabang
Where to Stay:
Luang Prabang: If you plan on walking everywhere I recommend staying in or near the historic district. There are some lovely options available along the Nam Khan River as well. Being short on time, the closer you are to the historical center, the better.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler:
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Chitlatda Bila House
Best Low-Budget: Luang Prabang Villa Sirikili River View
Best Mid-Budget: Chaluenxay Boutique Hotel
Best Luxury: 3 Nagas Luang Prabang - MGallery Hotel Collection
Best Time to Visit:
November - March. March and April are usually the burning seasons which can cause smokey air and drier vegetation. May - October is the rainy season.
How to Get to Luang Prabang:
Flying: You can fly right into Luang Prabang International Airport, located around 4 km from the historical city center.
Train: Already in Laos? The Laos-China railway is an excellent option for simple travel throughout Laos. From Vang Vieng, the train is an easy 1 hour or so ride. For more information on schedules and pricing click here!
Other Options: Taxi, Shared Van, or Bus. From Vang Vieng, a taxi takes around 4-5 hours to Luang Prabang without stopping. You can find the cheapest options here.
Slow Boat: (Chiang Mai/Rai to Luang Prabang) The slow boat trip takes around 3 days and docks in Luang Prabang. You travel by boat for 12+ hours each day and make two overnight stops in Huay Xai, Chiang Khong, or Pak Beng. I have not done this myself.
How to Get Around in Luang Prabang:
As mentioned Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Site, making it completely walkable and free from trucks, buses, etc. If you plan to stay within the city center you do not need to rent any transportation. However, if you intend to explore further, below is some information for you.
Bicycle: Not going too far? Bicycles are a great option as well for those looking for a cheaper, more active lifestyle while traveling. Many hostels and accommodations offer bicycles for a cheaper price than rental places and some even do it for free with your stay!
Motorbikes: Unlike Vang Vieng, most roads around Luang Prabang are quite safe and well-maintained for drivers. There are loads of rental shops in the town. Your accommodation may even have some for rent as well. Expect to pay around $5-6 USD per day (around 120,000-150,000 Kip).
Tuk-Tuk: Using a taxi to get around is always an option in Southeast Asia, but they can be quite expensive. If you prefer this option, I would recommend picking one driver and paying them for the day. I have never used a tuk-tuk or taxi during any of my travels in Southeast Asia.
Vegan Food Options:
Saffron Coffee (Vegetarian-Friendly Coffee House)
Bouang Asian Eatery (Vegan, Asian-French Fusion)
Formula B (Baked Goods and Funky Drinks)
Le Banneton Café (French Bakery)
Two Little Birds Cafe (Vegan Breakfast)
Bamboo Garden Restaurant (AMAZING Local Food)
Dyen Sabai Restaurant (Beautiful Outdoor Seating with Vegan Options)
Yuni Yupoun (Sister Restaurant to Dyen Sabai, incredibly fresh vegan dinner options)
