Travel guide · Laos
Luang Prabang travel guide
Gilded monasteries, dawn alms rounds and the Mekong in Laos's old royal capital
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Luang Prabang occupies a narrow peninsula where the Nam Khan river joins the Mekong in northern Laos. The former royal capital is a UNESCO World Heritage town of more than 30 Buddhist monasteries, French colonial shophouses and wooden Lao houses, small enough to cross on foot in 20 minutes. Days revolve around temples such as Wat Xieng Thong, the climb up Mount Phousi, the evening night market and boat trips on the Mekong, with the turquoise pools of Kuang Si Falls a short drive south. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are November–February.
Key facts
- Country
- Laos
- Best time to visit
- November–February
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- LPQ
- Mid-range daily budget
- $60–$140 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Wat Xieng Thong, Morning alms giving, Kuang Si Falls and Mount Phousi sunsets
Why visit Luang Prabang
- The whole old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its temples, palace and riverside lanes are all walkable.
- Saffron-robed monks collect alms along the main streets at dawn, a daily ritual that has continued for centuries.
- Kuang Si Falls, with its tiers of turquoise pools and a bear rescue centre, is under an hour away.
- Lao food here has its own specialities, from Luang Prabang khao soi and or lam stew to kaipen river-weed crisps.
- The pace is slow: early nights, riverside cafés, weaving workshops and sunset boat rides on the Mekong.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 15 things to do.
Religious site · Xieng Thong end of the peninsula
Wat Xieng Thong
Built around 1560 under King Setthathirath, Wat Xieng Thong is the finest monastery in Luang Prabang, its main hall sweeping almost to the ground in layered roofs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Art
- History
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Palace · Old Town centre
Royal Palace Museum (Haw Kham)
The palace built in the early 1900s for King Sisavang Vong blends Lao and French Beaux-Arts styles and preserves the royal throne hall, mirrored-mosaic walls and gifts from foreign governments.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Viewpoint · Old Town centre
Mount Phousi
A hill rising about 100 m above the town centre, climbed by more than 300 steps from Sisavangvong Road opposite the palace.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Active
- Kids
Experience · Old Town centre
Morning alms giving (Tak Bat)
At first light, lines of monks and novices walk barefoot along Sakkaline and Sisavangvong roads while residents kneel to place sticky rice in their bowls.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
Market · Old Town centre
Night market
Every evening, Sisavangvong Road closes to traffic and fills with rows of red-roofed stalls selling Hmong embroidery, Lao silk, paper lanterns, coffee and silver.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
- Food
- Kids
Religious site · Old Town centre
Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham
Next to the Royal Palace, this late-18th-century monastery has a five-tiered roof and a veranda covered in gilded reliefs showing village life and scenes from the Lao Ramayana.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Architecture
- History
Where to stay
Old Town centre is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, shopping and culture
Old Town centre
Temples, the Royal Palace and the night market along Sisavangvong Road
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and culture
Xieng Thong end of the peninsula
Quiet lanes, monasteries and river views at the tip where the Nam Khan meets the Mekong
$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, budget and families
Mekong riverfront
Guesthouses, cafés and sunset terraces facing the Mekong
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and food lovers
Nam Khan riverside
Smaller river, bamboo bridges and garden cafés on the peninsula's eastern side
What to eat
Full Luang Prabang food guide.
- Luang Prabang khao soi — Wide, flat rice noodles in a clear broth topped with a rich tomato, pork and fermented bean sauce, served with herbs and lime.
- Or lam — A thick, herbal Luang Prabang stew of meat or buffalo with aubergine, beans, lemongrass and pieces of sakhan, a peppery wood that numbs the tongue slightly.
- Fried river weed — Thin sheets of Mekong river weed pressed with sesame, garlic and tomato, dried in the sun and fried until crisp.
- Jeow bong — A sweet, smoky and spicy chilli paste from Luang Prabang made with roasted chillies, garlic, galangal and slivers of buffalo skin, eaten with sticky rice or kaipen.
- Lao sausage — Coarse pork sausage seasoned with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves and chilli, grilled over charcoal.
- Laap — The national dish: minced meat or fish tossed with lime, fish sauce, toasted ground rice, chilli and mint, eaten with sticky rice and raw vegetables.
When to go
The best time to visit Luang Prabang is November to February, when skies are clear, days are warm and mornings are cool. March and April are hot and hazy from agricultural burning, though Lao New Year in mid-April is a highlight. The May–October rainy season is green and quiet, with low prices, and October's Lai Heua Fai festival of lights is a good reason to come at the tail of the rains.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool season | November–February | Dry, sunny days around 27–31°C with chilly mornings, clear views and the year's highest hotel prices. |
| Hot season | March–April | Temperatures in the mid-30s and smoky haze from field burning; Lao New Year brings the town's biggest celebrations. |
| Early rains | May–July | Afternoon storms clear the air, the countryside turns green and hotels lower their rates. |
| Late rains | August–October | The wettest weeks give way to clearer weather in October, with full waterfalls, boat races and the festival of lights. |
Getting there and around
Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) is about 4 km from the old town, a 10–15 minute ride. Taxis and minivans at fixed prices are booked at a counter in the arrivals hall, and many hotels offer pickups.
The old town peninsula is about 1.5 km long and best explored on foot or by bicycle. Tuk-tuks and minivans handle trips to Kuang Si Falls and the train station, and boats ply the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves and across to Chomphet.
Plan your days
Two days covers the main temples, the Royal Palace Museum, Mount Phousi, the night market and Kuang Si Falls. Four days allows the Pak Ou Caves by boat, a weaving or cooking class, a morning across the river in Chomphet and time to slow down.
Practical information
- Currency
- LAK
- Language
- Lao
- Plugs
- Type A, B, C, E and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water is cheap and many guesthouses offer refill stations.
- Emergency number
- 1191 police, 1190 fire, 1195 ambulance
- Tipping
- Tipping is not traditional in Laos, but rounding up the bill or leaving a little extra in restaurants is appreciated.
Luang Prabang is calm and petty crime is uncommon, though occasional bag snatching from motorbikes is reported. Take care on slippery paths at Kuang Si and Tad Sae, and in rural areas stay on marked trails because unexploded ordnance remains in parts of the countryside.
Flights to Luang Prabang
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Luang Prabang?
Two days covers the main temples, the Royal Palace Museum, Mount Phousi, the night market and Kuang Si Falls. Four days allows the Pak Ou Caves by boat, a weaving or cooking class, a morning across the river in Chomphet and time to slow down. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang?
The best time to visit Luang Prabang is November to February, when skies are clear, days are warm and mornings are cool. March and April are hot and hazy from agricultural burning, though Lao New Year in mid-April is a highlight. The May–October rainy season is green and quiet, with low prices, and October's Lai Heua Fai festival of lights is a good reason to come at the tail of the rains.
+What is Luang Prabang known for?
Wat Xieng Thong, Morning alms giving, Kuang Si Falls, Mount Phousi sunsets, Night market textiles, Mekong boat trips and French colonial architecture. The whole old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its temples, palace and riverside lanes are all walkable.
+Is Luang Prabang expensive?
Luang Prabang is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $60–$140 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Luang Prabang?
No. The town is walkable and day trips are easy by tuk-tuk, minivan or boat; drivers can be hired for longer excursions.