Top places to visit in Luang Prabang

• Kuang Si Falls Turquoise Pools

  waterfall · 4.9 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The most spectacular waterfall in Laos — three tiers of turquoise cascades through limestone formations into brilliant blue-green pools. 30km from Luang Prabang. UNESCO-protected and unmissable.

• Wat Xieng Thong Gold Temple

  temple · 4.8 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The most spectacular temple in Luang Prabang and one of the finest examples of Lanna-Luang Prabang architecture. Built in 1560. The Tree of Life mosaic on the rear wall and the elaborate red-gold lacquerwork are masterpieces.

• Phousi Hill Sunset Views

  viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The iconic conical hill topped by a golden stupa in the centre of Luang Prabang. Climbing 355 steps at sunset gives 360-degree views over the old city, the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, and surrounding mountains.

• Pak Ou Caves Buddha Grottoes

  cave · 4.6 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Two cave temples at the confluence of Mekong and Ou rivers, crammed with thousands of abandoned Buddha images. The boat trip from Luang Prabang (2 hr upstream) is as memorable as the caves.

• Luang Prabang Seasonal Bamboo Walkway

  promenade · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A seasonal bamboo bridge across the Nam Khan River, rebuilt every November and removed in June when the river floods. Walking across through rice paddies and local village life is one of Luang Prabang most charming experiences.

• Tad Sae Waterfall Luang Prabang

  waterfall · 4.4 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  A multi-tiered waterfall 15km from Luang Prabang, reached by boat across the Nam Khan River. Multiple swimming pools of different depths, rope swings, and a zipline make it an excellent family activity.

• Wat Mai Gilded Relief Temple

  temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A late 18th-century temple with an extraordinary five-tiered roof and elaborate gilded relief panels depicting the last reincarnation of the Buddha. Houses a large collection of Buddhist artefacts and is used for important Lao ceremonies.

• Wat Phan Tao Teak Palace Temple

  temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A temple famous for its entirely teak wood construction and elaborate carved front facade, adjacent to the Royal Palace Museum with a stunning golden stupa.

• Wat Visoun Ancient Stupa

  temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The oldest temple in Luang Prabang still in its original location (built 1503) with a distinctive watermelon-shaped stupa. Houses rare ancient wooden Lao Buddhas.

• Chomphet Village Ferry Crossing

  village · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The quiet district across the Mekong from Luang Prabang — traditional Lao villages, rice paddies, and forest temples unchanged by tourism. Accessible by ferry from the main pier (LAK 5000).

• Wat Aham Sacred Trees Temple

  temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A serene small temple near Wat Visoun with two giant sacred banyan trees adorned with prayer flags and spirit offerings. The most mystical garden atmosphere in Luang Prabang.

• Secondary Night Bazaar Luang Prabang

  market · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The secondary night market below Mount Phousi — more local and less polished than the main walking street. Vendors sell handmade silver jewellery, bamboo lamps, and batik fabrics at authentic prices.

Things to do

• Luang Prabang Mount Phousi Panoramic Sunset Sightseeing · 2 h · from LAK 20,000 per person
• Luang Prabang Night Market UNESCO Heritage Shopping Heritage · 3 h
• Luang Prabang Royal Palace Museum Pha Bang Heritage Heritage · 3 h · from LAK 69,100 per person
• Luang Prabang Village to Village Cycling Peninsula Sightseeing · 4 h · from LAK 346,000 per person
• Luang Prabang Temple Walking Tour Walking Tour · 3 h · from LAK 287,000 per person
• Luang Prabang Traditional Boat Racing Mekong Festival Heritage · 5 h
• Kuang Si Waterfall Trekking Tour Hiking · 4.5 h · from LAK 478,000 per person
• Luang Prabang Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Half Day Wildlife · 6 h · from LAK 1,152,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Luang Prabang Temple & Waterfall Full Day 9 h · from LAK 1,149,000

Where to stay in Luang Prabang

• Luang Prabang UNESCO Old Town about LAK 7,500 per night

  The protected peninsula between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Every guesthouse is within walking distance of Wat Xieng Thong, the Royal Palace Museum, and the Tak Bat route on Sakkaline Road. UNESCO World Heritage…

Hotels

• Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao 5-star · LAK 4,195,831 to LAK 11,706,016 per night
• Amantaka Luang Prabang 5-star · LAK 30,000 to LAK 120,000 per night
• Mandarin Oriental Luang Prabang 5-star · LAK 3,000,000 to LAK 10,000,000 per night
• Three Nagas Luang Prabang 5-star · LAK 1,200,000 to LAK 3,500,000 per night
• Rosewood Luang Prabang 5-star · USD 700 to USD 2,000 per night
• The Postcard Luang Prabang 5-star · LAK 12,000 to LAK 40,000 per night

Where to eat

• Phousi Market Morning Food Stalls Lao, Street Food, Market · about LAK 30,000 per person
• Saffron Coffee Main Branch LPB Coffee, Cafe, Specialty · about LAK 60,000 per person
• Utopia Garden Bar LPB Bar, Western, Lao · about LAK 80,000 per person
• Kop Chai Deu Heritage Beer Garden LPB Lao, Bar, Barbecue · about LAK 80,000 per person
• Khaiphaen Mekong Fish LPB Lao, Traditional, Social Enterprise · about LAK 120,000 per person
• Luang Prabang Bakery Main LPB French, Bakery, Cafe · about LAK 60,000 per person
• Lao Lao Garden Bar LPB New Bar, Barbecue, Western · about LAK 80,000 per person
• Common Grounds Cafe Luang Prabang Cafe, Coffee, Bakery · about LAK 80,000 per person

Getting to Luang Prabang

Airport: Luang Prabang (LPQ)

How visitors arrive in Luang Prabang

• Laos-China Railway from Vientiane By train from Vientiane · common

  The railway station lies outside the old city; the guide recommends the train as a way to arrive. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Fly into Luang Prabang International Airport By air from Bangkok / Hanoi / Vientiane · common

  The airport has flights from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Siem Reap and Vientiane and is a visa-on-arrival entry point. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus along Route 13 By road from Vientiane / Vang Vieng · possible

  Buses and cars use Route 13 from Vientiane and Vang Vieng. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Mekong slow boat from Huay Xai By ferry from Huay Xai · possible

  Boats run down the Mekong from the Thai border at Huay Xai, usually stopping at Pakbeng. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Taxi counter or hotel minivan

  Tuk-tuks are not permitted to collect visitors at the airport itself, so use the fixed-rate taxi counter or a hotel-arranged minivan. Source: tourismluangprabang.org

• Fixed-rate taxi counter

  A taxi counter at the exit of the arrivals hall sells fixed-rate rides into town. Source: tourismluangprabang.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Green minibus from the station

  Shared green minibuses wait at the Lao-China station, which is well outside the old city; hotels can also arrange minivans. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Station taxis may not reach the station building; a green minibus or hotel minivan avoids a long stair climb with luggage. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bicycle useful for some trips

  Bicycles can be rented in Luang Prabang, and the Old Town is small and flat enough to cover by bike or on foot.

• Tuktuk

  Open-air tuk-tuks in Luang Prabang are used for longer trips beyond the Old Town, and the fare is negotiated with the driver.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Tuk-tuk "free tour"

  Major tourist zones

  Cheap city tour ends at gem shops where the driver collects commission.

  How to avoid it: Use LOCA app. Confirm destination + price first.

• Tak Bat Merit Package Touts

  Sakkarine Road at dawn

  Vendors position themselves along the Tak Bat route selling "merit packages" — tubs of sticky rice to offer monks — for 30,000–50,000 LAK. The practice of tourists offering food directly (especially inappropriate food) is harmful to monks and disrupts the ceremony.

  How to avoid it: Do not buy these packages. The monks have ample donors and are sometimes fed unhealthy food by uninformed tourists. Observe respectfully from a distance. If you want to participate authentically, ask your guesthouse to arrange a proper merit-making experience.

• Gemstone and Jewellery Scam

  Near Night Market and guesthouses

  A friendly local or student claims to be a jewellery student and offers to take you to a "government gem sale" where you can buy gems at wholesale prices to resell at home for a big profit. Gems are worthless fakes.

  How to avoid it: Never accompany strangers to gem shops or jewellery sales. There is no legitimate "government gem sale." This scam is found across Southeast Asia and always ends in expensive regret.

• Tuk-Tuk Overcharging for Airport / Long Distances

  Old Town and Luang Prabang Airport road

  Drivers quote USD prices for airport runs (legitimate price is around 70,000–100,000 LAK / ~4–6 USD). Some drivers take tourists on unnecessary detours to inflate journey time and justify higher fares.

  How to avoid it: Agree on fare and currency before boarding. The standard airport-to-old-town fare is 80,000–100,000 LAK. Consider sharing with other guests from your accommodation.

Best time to visit Luang Prabang

• Jan 26°C
• Feb 29°C
• Mar 32°C
• Apr 33°C
• May 35°C
• Jun 34°C
• Jul 32°C
• Aug 32°C
• Sep 33°C
• Oct 29°C
• Nov 27°C
• Dec 25°C

More in Laos

• Vientiane
• Vang Vieng
• Savannakhet
• Don Det
• Phonsavan
• Pakse

Frequently asked questions about Luang Prabang

How many days do you need in Luang Prabang?

A typical trip to Luang Prabang is 3-4 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Luang Prabang?

The highest-rated places in our Luang Prabang guide are Kuang Si Falls Turquoise Pools, Wat Xieng Thong Gold Temple, Phousi Hill Sunset Views, Luang Prabang Seasonal Bamboo Walkway, Pak Ou Caves Buddha Grottoes.

Where should I stay in Luang Prabang?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Luang Prabang: Luang Prabang UNESCO Old Town.

How do I get around Luang Prabang?

Ways to get around Luang Prabang covered in our guide: Bicycle, Tuk-tuk, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Luang Prabang?

Scams reported to us for Luang Prabang include Tuk-tuk "free tour"; Tak Bat Merit Package Touts; Gemstone and Jewellery Scam. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Luang Prabang?

Average daytime highs in Luang Prabang run from 25°C in Dec to 35°C in May.

Which airport is nearest to Luang Prabang?

The nearest airport to Luang Prabang has the code LPQ.