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Luang Prabang is a small, vibrant town resting on the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers in the beautiful mountainous region of northern Laos, a southeast Asian nation that many travellers seem to overlook.
Often referred to as “the heart of Laos”, Luang Prabang is one of the most popular places on the country’s tourist trail, if not the number one. Although Vientiane is the country’s capital city, Luang Prabang its backpacking hub. The town was titled a UNESCO World Heritage area in 1995 and has an abundance of things to see and do, making it quite an obvious stop for visitors to Laos.
Observe the French colonial architecture, quaint cafes and picturesque streets while you wander around the centre of town, or visit the unmissable Kuang Si waterfall, the famous night market, charming golden temples and small villages in the region.
I’ve visited Luang Prabang twice, once in 2019 and again in 2022, and damn, I love this little place. With 12 days of collective experience here, I have created this complete travel guide to explain all the best things to see and do along with handy tips and all essential travel information.
- Country: Laos
- Language: Lao/Laotian
- Population: 55,000
- Currency: Laotian Kip (£1/$1 = 18,000/16,500 kip)
- Visa info: For most nations a 30 day visa to Laos costs $40 which you’ll pay at your point of arrival, whether it be at an airport or land border. For land crossings you are required to provide a small self-portrait.
- SIM cards: There are a few different providers for SIM cards in Laos, such as Unitel, LaeTel and TPlus. All have good internet coverage across the country and can be bought from international airports, most shops and some hostels. I used Unitel and paid a relatively large sum of 180,000 Kip (£10) because I bought it at a hostel in a remote town. That gave me 35gb for 30 days, but the price at street vendors will be atleast half that
Where is it
Luang Prabang is located in the north of Laos on the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers, some 300km north of Laos’ capital city, Vientiane
Check it out on the interactive map below.
How to get to Luang Prabang
There are a few many ways of getting to Luang Prabang, but most commonly people will travel here from either Vang Vieng in the south or Huay Xai, a small town located on the Thailand border.
From Huay Xai you have 3 options:
- 12-15hr overnight bus = $19
- 2 day Mekong slow boat = $19, not inc overnight hotel stay in Pakbeng
- 5hr minivan + 2hr bullet train from Nateuy = $30.
From Vang Vieng there are 2 main options:
- 5hr minivan = $15-$20
- 1-2hr bullet train = $25
Find a bus from Vang Veing on 12Go here.
Most accommodations will be happy to assist you in booking any of these options as they will gain a small commission. Travelling to Luang Prabang is very easy to arrange as it is the country’s most popular destination.
When to go
Laos has two main seasons:
- Wet season: April – October
- Dry season: November – March
When to visit depends on your preference, but you’ll have to make some sacrifices either way, for example you’ll have to choose between having it cool, dry and busy or hot, possibly wet but quieter.
In 2022 I visited for a week in the rainy season and it only rained twice while I was there and it was very brief when it did. The town was extremely quiet and I had almost all of the attractions to myself.
How to get around
Luang Prabang is a very small town, so walking is recommended.
- Renting a bicycle is another great option. You can find bicycles for around 20,000 kip and see the sights around town at a slightly quicker pace than walking.
- Tuktuks are available everywhere around town and start at around 20,000 kip for a ride.
- Renting a motorbike is also an option if you plan on going further afield. Prices tend to vary around town, so best to ask around first. Expect to pay from 80,000 – 120,000 Kip for 24 hours and 40,000 Kip to fill it up with petrol.
- Alternatively, check out some day tours on Viator or Get Your Guide which include transport.
Where to stay in Luang Prabang
The town is very small and has a plethora of guesthouse, hostel and hotel options. Wherever you stay, you’ll be within walking distance of the Night Market and centre of town.
I stayed at both Villa Rattanakon and Downtown Backpackers Hostel in 2022, which are both very good options. Private double rooms at Villa Rattankon are around $9 per night, whereas a bed in a dorm at Downtown Backpackers Hostel is around $4.
You can read more about my accommodations in the “my experience section” at the end of this post.
Expected costs
This depends on your travel style.
A good backpacker’s budget to stay in a hostel dorm and eat like a local would be 150,000-200,000 Kip per day ($9 – $12).
On a more mid-range budget, e.g having a private room in a guesthouse, renting a motorbike and occasionally eating western food, a budget of 350,000 Kip ($20) will cover everything.
Hiring a motorbike for 1 day costs 120,000 Kip ($8) and most attraction around town are free, as you will soon discover!
What & where to eat
Cuisine in Laos is very similar to that of Thailand, with noodle soups and sticky rice being the most prominent local foods.
The best and most popular place to eat is the outdoor food court located at the start of the Night Market. It’s massive and hard to miss. Here you can find all sorts of affordable delights, including classic Laos dinner options as well as sweet things. The price of a meal here ranges from just 15,000 Kip – 30,000 Kip.
There are also many French restaurants around Luang Prabang which are a bit more posh and quite pricey. I ate pesto pasta with an iced coffee on my first day in town and it was 99,000 Kip and fairly disappointing for that price.
For alcohol, it’s important to note that Luang Prabang is not the place for you if you’re looking for a proper party scene. Bars and clubs don’t really exist here, but you can find local Lao Lao whiskey in shops for just 17,000 Kip a litre if you fancy that. A beer at the food court costs 15,000 Kip.
How long to stay
To see everything Luang Prabang has to offer I think 3-5 days is perfect. If you didn’t take the 2 day Mekong Cruise from Huay Xai but still want to spend some time on the river, take a 2 hour boat to Pak Ou cave instead!
13 awesome things to do in Luang Prabang
1. Wat Xieng Thong
If you only visit one temple during your stay in Luang Prabang, make it Wat Xieng Thong.
Built in 1560, this is the town’s most famous temple and certainly not something you should skip. The main temple is beautifully decorated with mosaics and Buddhist carvings, but be sure to wander around the whole temple complex while you’re here because there is some other stunning architecture to admire too.
Remember this is an active religious site, so wear appropriate clothing (no shoulders on display and remove your hat and shoes to go inside) and always be respectful.
Entrance to Wat Xieng Thong is 20,000 Kip.
2. Kuang Si Falls
Any fellow waterfall chasers out there? Well, this is one you simply cannot miss!
Kuang Si Falls is the most popular and awe-inspiring attraction in the Luang Prabang region of Laos, and for good reason. It is arguably the country’s most famous natural feature, let alone Luang Prabang, and definitely not something to skip!
The falls are located 30km south of town and consist of a long series of tumbling waterfalls and cascading blue pools with a looping trail at the top as well.
Tickets are 25,000 kip plus an additional 2000 kip for motorbike parking.
Check out tour availability to Kuang Si on Get Your Guide here
3. Bear Rescue Sanctuary
Included in the ticket for Kuang Si Falls is a visit to the Bear Sanctuary which is located at the beginning of the trail.
Established by the “Free The Bears” fund, the sanctuary rescued these Asian black bears from the illegal wildlife trade, giving each one a name, rehabilitating them and making living conditions much more realistic. There is a boardwalk providing a great view of the animals (unless they’re being shy and hiding in the back of their large pen) and lots of information on each one’s personality and characteristics.
Definitely worth checking out before going for a swim!
4. The Night Market
Every evening, from around 6pm until midnight, the Night Market is hive of activity.
This is the heart and soul of Luang Prabang, where local hill tribes and villagers come to sell their goods.
Every night you’ll find the long main street of town bustling with tourists and locals alike, searching for a bargain. Expect to find your typical southeast Asian market goods like souvenirs, clothing and handicrafts, and be sure to check out the outdoor food court behind the start of the market for many different choices of affordable street food.
5. Sunset from Mount Phousi
Mount Phousi (or Phousi Hill depending on your definition of “mountain”) is a prominent feature looking over the town and a very popular place to watch the sunset from. Right in the centre of town, it’s hard to miss.
There are around 300 well made steps to the top where you’ll find a small golden temple which can be seen from all over the city. It’s a hot-spot and gets pretty busy, but it’s something you simply must do when in Luang Prabang.
When I visited in February 2019 I struggled to find a space amongst all the people, but in September 2022 it was practically all mine, so it does depend on the season too.
Price: 20,000 kip.
6. Learn something at the UXO centre
The UXO (or “unexploded ordinance”) centre is a small building that displays the affects that the Vietnam War had on Laos. It’s a truly eye-opening experience.
Did you know that Laos is the most bombed country in history? The US dropped more than 270 million bombs here during the Vietnam War, of which around 30% did not explode and are still scattered across the country today. Almost every day a farmer, child or person dies from discovering a UXO somewhere in the country, and this museum is dedicated to eradicating these bombs and raising awareness.
A great thing to do if you have some extra time in Luang Prabang or on a rainy day. Personally this kind of history really interests me, so I made a point of going.
7. Take a boat to Xieng Men Village
Something a bit different to do in Luang Prabang is to take a boat over the Mekong to explore village life on the other side. This is a great activity for a relaxing afternoon that not many people do.
Wander through Xieng Men village to see typical local village life, climb up to Wat Chom Phet for a fantastic view over the Mekong and Luang Prabang and finally check out Wat Longkhum. Watch out for snakes!
A boat across could cost anything from 20,000 – 50,000 Kip depending on you haggling skills, or there is also the car ferry which is under 10,000 Kip.
8. Pak Ou Caves
An active religious site, the Pak Ou Caves contain around 6,000 Buddha statues and are one of the top hits for things to do in Luang Prabang.
The caves require a 25km boat journey to reach which puts off many travellers, including myself, as I was quoted a whopping 800,000 kip for a boat ride there. Because I was by myself it was a higher price, otherwise the 2 hour journey can be made with a tour for around $40 which would include a bunch of other activities too, or by finding people to split the cost of a boat with.
Alternatively you could rent a motorbike and drive which would take about an hour and require a short boat ride at the end too.
Entrance to the caves costs 20,000 kip.
Thinking of visiting Southeast Asia soon? Don’t miss these essential guides to help planning your trip:
9. Go to Nong Khiaw
Okay, so it’s not exactly in Luang Prabang… but trust me, this place must be seen if you have some spare days.
10. Take part in the alms ceremony
Known locally as “Tak bat” or “Sai bat”, one of the most popular things to do in Luang Prabang is witness a religious tradition that has taken place since the 14th century.
Wake up early and attend the alms giving ceremony at dawn, which is where around 200 local monks walk down Sakkaline Road to receive offerings of rice from locals and tourists.
The ceremony is held in total silence, so be respectful if you attend and don’t shove your camera in anybody’s face either!
11. Tad Thong waterfall hike
If you’re up for an adventure not far from town but well off the beaten path, this waterfall walk is the one.
I found Tad Thong by randomly looking around the area on Maps.me and decided to head there after I visited Kuang Si Falls earlier that day. It consists of a hike through a dense forest alongside a beautiful blue river which features many small pools and falls that would be perfect for an afternoon swim or picnic.
Watch you step on the path which is extremely sketchy and make sure you pack bug spray – you’re gonna need it! If you’re lucky you might get invited for some Lao Whisky at the bottom with the friendly locals as well, like I did.
The land owner with ask for 10,000 Kip for the waterfall.
12. Try some local food
13. Wander around town
The last thing on this list is easy – just walk!
It’s a super fun thing to do in Luang Prabang, so just go and get lost with purpose. There are so many hidden golden temples, cute cafes, riverside views and beautiful buildings that will catch your eye around town, so be sure to allow some time to explore these side streets and paths!
Final thoughts on Luang Prabang
I’ve visited Luang Prabang twice now, and both times were incredibly different. I came for 5 days in February 2019 and 8 days in September 2022.
In 2019 the town was thriving. A visit to the night market or Mount Phousi and you’d be shoulder to shoulder with other travellers squeezing past each other.
In 2022, I couldn’t believe how quiet it was! Not only are the streets dead, but the prices seem to have sky-rocketed and sadly many businesses are closed. A walk down the Main Street shows the gravity of this, with almost every second building for sale. I’m sure the difference I noticed in the amount of tourists here is also because of the time of year (September being low season and February being high season), but Covid has definitely played a huge part and it was quite sad to see so many “closed” signs.
The streets have always been lined with cute French restaurants and cafes, but damn those one’s are pricey. When I say pricey, I mean pricey for Laos. Compared to Europe it’s still cheap, but I couldn’t recommend any of them as they are fairly overpriced for what you get.
I continue to love Luang Prabang though, and I’m sure it’ll fully bounce back eventually!
Accommodation
In 2022, I first stayed at Villa Rattanakon which is 5-10 minutes walk from the start of the night market, where I had a private double room for a week. It’s more of a mid-range option and was good overall, but slightly too far away from the action.
I came back to LP after my excursion to Nong Khiaw and stayed at Downtown Backpackers Hostel in a 4 man dorm for one night which is a very lively place and only costs $4 for a bed. This is where most backpackers stay and I really recommend it. The beds were comfy, facilities are clean and they have really helpful staff who helped me book the slow boat to Huay Xai. They also include a good breakfast for free which can be made to takeaway if you’re leaving early.
Book the Downtown Backpackers Hostel on Hostelworld here.
Best tours in Luang Prabang
Thank you for reading this travel guide – I hope you found it helpful! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible 
Happy travelling!
HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Accommodation: Booking.com, Hostelworld
Tours: GetYourGuide, Viator, Klook, TripAdvisor
Transport: 12Go, Omio, Trip.com, Rome2Rio
WHO IN THE WORLD IS JAMES?
Click below to learn more about my story, including 5 random facts about me, some travel FAQ’s and my entire travel history.
