Location: Luang Prabang
Top Things to do in Luang Prabang
Countries
10 Things to do in Luang Prabang That You Shouldn't Miss
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the former capital of Laos, and you'll see everything from golden-roofed temples to vestiges of colonial French architecture here. Buddhist monasteries abound in Luang Prabang, and early every morning, monks process through the streets collecting alms (their food for the day). If you want to watch or participate, though, ask your hotel for a brief etiquette lesson first—you have to distribute the food in a specific manner.
Restaurants in Luang Prabang
1. The Living Land Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 884 reviews
This charming community farm just outside of Luang Prabang overlooks wonderful Rice Fields and Mountains. Rice is planted all year round and they welcome guests who want to learn about Rice planting and other farm activities like bamboo weaving, sugar cane pressing, black smithing. Visitors get to try most of the activities or can just watch. Rodolphe and Susan, the two buffaloes help with the ploughing of the rice paddies and guests can have a go too. The half day programme starts at 08.30 and finishes with a tasting of rice based snacks. The farm is shared by 9 families who also grow organic vegetables and flowers. Lunch is available too and includes a selection of typical Luang Prabang dishes and fruit. Proceeds from the Rice Experience go to supporting over 60 students with their studies and they operate free English classes for the whole village. They have a small Homestay unit made from an old granary. Booking is necessary and pick-up and return by tuk-tuk is included.
Reviewed By ashems13 - Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
From start to finish, this experience was a brilliant one! The staff at the Living Land seem to love their jobs which made it so nice to experience. The process of growing and harvesting rice is so interesting and it was exciting to be able to try it all for ourselves - it’s definitely a hands-on day out!! To top it off, we had the most delicious lunch made from the organic fruits and vegetables from the farm as well as sticky rice. So tasty and impressive!
2. MandaLao Elephant Conservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 498 reviews
We are Luang Prabang's first and only non-riding elephant experience. Please join us for an unforgettable trip that will not only benefit the well being of our elephants but be a highlight to any Southeast Asian adventure.
Reviewed By SophieB179 - Cyberjaya, Malaysia
Sorry to be a bit eco Nazi about things but if you want to ride elephants or have animals take part in your tourism experience in any way - change your mind set. Mandalao are leading the way in Laos in showing that this is how tourism must become. I have read reviews saying but the elephants aren’t free, it’s still cruel. You know what, yes it is that anything has to be kept safely away from humans who want to exploit them in logging industries or other areas. These elephants are kept safe though and that my friends, is a start. For them to be free in the world in 2019 is a death sentence. Rant over. You are taken to the centre from your hotel and met by the owner who gives you a very informative talk about the site and elephant conservation in general. Then you are given bowls of food to make balls of to give the elephants, it’s things like baby banana, sticky rice and tamarind and lots of sea salt. You make the balls then go over on a boat and meet your elephants and mahouts. The elephants eat from your hands and then accompany you on a stroll through the jungle. They stop and mooch around, ours demolished a tree whilst we were there, showing off their strength as they reached for their favourite leaves higher up in the trees. We hugged their trunks and had photos, could touch them and stand with them, sense their individual personalities and get a real sense of the power these animals hold. They are very calm to be around and I was certainly filled with awe from beginning to end. The mahouts are local men employed by the centre. They do not whip or hurt the elephants at all, but they do have a stick of bamboo with them that they gently guide them with. They know people do not want to see cruelty and I was super alert for it but saw absolutely none, the men were to be commended. But to go back to my original point, compared to the life the elephants had before on logging plantations where they were poorly fed, overworked and abused to the life they have now, seeing a man with a stick to guide an elephant to walk with humans is a lot less harsh to accept then the alternative. I have no qualms in saying these elephants were happy, well fed and looked after, and safe. If you are an eco or ethically minded tourist this place is for you. If you’re not - become one! ????
3. Wat Xiengthong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,268 reviews
Laos' most enchanting temple was built in 1560.
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In the ancient city of Xien Thong (literally, "The Golden City"), almost at the junction of rivers Mekong and Nam Kham, King Setthathirath ordered, in 1559, the construction of a temple. It was named "Wat Xien Thong", the "Temple of the Golden City". King Setthathirath probably never imagined this would become the city's most beautiful temple, and even maybe of the whole Laos - the "Land of a Million Elephants". Later on, the city of Xien Thong was renamed to Luang Prabang, meaning "The Place of Buddha" and "Wat Xien Thong" became the royal temple, where kings were crowned and holy relics were kept. The temple was built according to the early Lao architecture features, normally referred to as "Luang Prabang Classic Style", with roofs that sweep low to the ground. Just amazing! Visit the temple, its central shrine (the holy "Sim"), side chapels, pavillions, residences and gardens. And before leaving, near its East Gate, do not dare to miss "The Royal Funerary Chapel", where the "Royal Funerary Carriage" and the "Royal Family Funerary Urns" are housed. Unmissable! Enjoy!
4. Kuang Si Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,068 reviews
Reviewed By itskathyhere
If you're in Luang Prabang, you can't miss this site. This is the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen, and you can climb up to the top of the waterfall, and take a short bamboo raft ride to the source of the waterfall (it's an underground cave). The only thing to note is near the top of the waterfall, there are signs for a cave, which we followed for a while. I think it's about a 2 mile hike to the cave, which is further than we anticipated, and we decided to turnaround half way through since we didn't have the time to keep exploring. If you're tight for time, enjoy your time at the waterfall and don't get distracted by the cave signs!
5. UXO Lao Visitors Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 782 reviews
Reviewed By crichtonh
This tiny museum exhibits the effect on the bombing during the vietnam war, It's sobering indeed to hear the stories of the kids that are impacted and also you are able to enjoy a little video that shows this and an overall introduction. The museum sets everything out there in English with only the correct level of information and shows good examples of missiles plus cluster bombs. The employees are helpful and friendly They've air con and it's entry by donation. Only three others there when I visited. Interesting and recommended. fifteen minutes stroll from visitors centre behind the president's park.
6. Old Quarter Luang Prabang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,466 reviews
Reviewed By Travelling_SE_Asia - St. Albans, United Kingdom
A UNESCO Heritage Site, the Old Quarter in Luang Prabang is a network of old French Colonial architecture, buildings, narrow alleyways and roads. The main road is Sisavangvong Road where the Night Market is, but you can go off the main road to walk around or just have a stroll and see more. Next to the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River, the main area is where the Nam Khan River joins the Mekong River. It’s a beautiful area and you should take your time exploring it. There are lots of tourists but they keep the main road free of litter for the most part.
7. Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 985 reviews
Welcome to the Kuang si Falls ButterflyPark Just 300 meters before parking Kuang si Falls Hundreds of Laotian butterflies in a beautiful landscaped garden, natural fish spa included.
Reviewed By seulgison - Munich, Germany
We were surprised that there weren't many visitors when we visited, because this place was seriously great! They give you a booklet that will outline the tour of the butterfly sanctuary, which will take you around the falls and into the butterfly house, to the natural fish spa (there are seats for you to sit and experience this!) and a cute cafe at the end of the tour. We suggest getting the coffee + cake bundle at the beginning when you buy your ticket because they were both so good. There are also seats at the cafe where you can sit down and dip your feet in another pool. You can also feed the fish there too because there was a bowl full of fish food, which was fun to throw and watch. We really enjoyed our time at the butterfly sanctuary!!
8. Mount Phousi
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4,124 reviews
Reviewed By milliesmum2016 - Christchurch, New Zealand
This is a fairly gentle uphill climb to a small temple and great vistas of the rivers, the town and surrounding countryside. There are steps all the way, which start from the main street just opposite the Palace, and another set of steps which come out on the street which lines the Nam Khong River. So you can start from either side and coem down a different way. There is a ticket booth about three quarters of the way up, which you need to stop at if you intend to go further up to the temple. Can't remember, how much it was - negligible though. The routes up and down are lined with interesting sites of religius significance; Buddha's footprint, Days of the week Buddha statues, monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree. Maybe, do this walk early in the day or later in the afternoon/evening when it is cooler.
9. Luang Prabang Night Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,445 reviews
Reviewed By Steve32Yorkshire - Wakefield, United Kingdom
Refreshing change from the usual tack and trinkets available at these markets. It offers a great selection of clothing eg elephant pants and T shirts for only a couple of dollars, beautiful locally made silks and shawls, artworks as well as souvenirs. It is very safe and the people are lovely
10. Alms Giving Ceremony
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4,377 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Everyday, at sunrise, saffron-robed bare feet monks and novices emerge on the streets of Luang Prabang's "Old Quarter" with their alms bowls. This is an important tradition in Laos' Buddhist culture and is locally known as "Sai Bat" - the "Morning Alms Ceremony", when local devotees (and tourists) offer food (normally sticky rice) to them, as their main daily meal. Their procession can be watched from many different points such as the "Sisavangvong" and "Sakkarin" roads, as well as from near the "Royal Palace Museum", the" Wat Xieng Thong Temple" and the "Luang Prabang Primary School". Step aside and, in complete silence and respect, watch them pass. Please do not even try to talk to or touch them. Selfies are totally tacky and unwelcome at this special and humble Buddhist ceremony. And remember, the "Morning Alms Ceremony" takes place everyday from 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM (from March to October) and from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM (from November to February). It is quite fast, so wake up early and rush, otherwise you may miss it. Enjoy!
