Luang Prabang is undeniably the most charming town in Laos. Full of colonial style buildings, it is famous for its amazing morning alms giving, great Night Market, morning market, beautiful temples, and the magnificent waterfalls located outside the city.

Luang Prabang, despite the many tourists from every corner of the world, has not lost its authenticity. The town is located between the two rivers Mekong and Nam Khan, which makes all the most important places located in the old town, and they are all just within a few minutes walk on foot.

In this post, we will share with you 11 reasons to visit the amazing town of Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang was our first stop in Laos. And we have to admit that it is our favorite town in the country.

We fell in love with it the very first day, when we went to the morning alms giving ceremony, which was a unique and unforgettable experience.

The center of Luang Prabang is not large, so it was an incredible convenience for us, as we could get everywhere on foot, and walking around this charming city was a pleasure. Every street had something to delight us. There is really a lot to see in this city, and if you miss nature, you can just  go for a ride to the amazing waterfalls.

It is said that Luang Prabang is the favorite place of many travelers to Laos, and it is hard to disagree, because this charming town is truly a gem.

#1 Morning Alms Giving – Tak Bat

One of the most important things you absolutely must do while in Luang Prabang is to observe the morning alms offering ceremony for the monks.

The Tak Bat ceremony is held daily, on the streets of Luang Prabang, just before sunrise.

From nearby temples, a dozen barefoot monks take a walk through the streets of Luang Prabang to collect alms from locals in the form of sticky rice, locally made trats and sweet snacks.

Morning Alms Giving is a wonderful ceremony that is incredibly important to the local community. And watched from afar, it is a wonderful spectacle worth getting up early in the morning.

Unfortunately, through its popularity it has also become a tourist attraction and in many places has lost its authenticity. Local vendors encourage tourists to buy offerings for the monks, which are often thrown away by the monks after a while, as they are unable to eat all that is offered to them by eager tourists.

Tourists do not respect the rules that apply during the ceremony, talking loudly, laughing and also coming very close to the monks to take the “best” pictures.

Here are some rules to follow when participating in the morning ceremony of offering alms to the monks:

• Proper clothing. Knees, shoulders and also chest should be covered.
• Never get too close to the monks, and under no circumstances touch the monks.
• Keep silence. Do not talk loudly, do not shout, do not laugh loudly.
• When taking photos keep your distance, no “selfie with monks”.
• If the ceremony is not important to you, observe but do not participate.
• If you participate in the ceremony, when giving the monk’s alms bow your head.

The street, which on Google Maps is given as the best place to observe the ceremony, is unfortunately the worst place to do so, for the reason that many tourists do not respect the tradition and the meaning of the ceremony.

If you want to observe the morning alms giving to the monks, in a peaceful, local atmosphere go to the street parallel or the one perpendicularly to the Night Market.

Since the time of the ceremony changes due to the seasons, it is best to ask at the hotel at which time the ceremony starts.

#2 Wat Xieng Thong

This is the oldest and most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang. In addition to the beautifully decorated entrance to the main temple, it is also worth paying attention to the back of the temple, where you will observe an amazing glass mosaic.

The second larger temple is covered with carved gold panels that come alive in the sunlight.

In addition, there are also several smaller buildings here, which are equally beautiful. They are lined with glass mosaics, depicting scenes from Laotian life.

They are complemented by small shrines with big drums, or Buddha statues, dripping in the flowers of the surrounding trees and small bushes.

This temple is one of the most popular temples, so it is best to visit in the morning, and the entrance to the temple grounds costs $1.20 per person.

#3 Haw Pha Bang Temple & Royal Palace

Located just off the main street in Luang Prabang, the temple, both up close and from afar, looks amazing.

The front of the temple is covered with carved panels, painted in gold, while the entire temple is snow-white, with green, red and gold accents.

Inside, unfortunately, the temple is very small, making it impossible to go inside. What compensates for this, however, is the garden surrounding the temple, where you can walk around to your heart’s content.

At the end of the long walkway is the Royal Palace, which, now days instead of serving as the king’s residence, is a museum where, among other things, you can see many historical items.

Entrance to the grounds costs $1.80. Remember to dress appropriately when visiting the temple, as well as the area around it.

#4 Wat Pa Phai

This small and charming temple is not often visited by tourists, so chances are that even during the day you will be the only person on the grounds.

However, if you decide to visit the temple in the morning, the gates to the garden open at 9 o’clock, and your walk around the grounds around the temple will be accompanied by the company of the dogs that live nearby.

The temple is beautifully drenched in greenery, as if it had always been a part of this place, and colorful flowers growing around only add to its charm.

#5 Morning Market

Every morning, local farmers open their small stalls at the local morning market. Among the locals shopping, buying fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and meat you will experience only a few tourists.

If you are still before breakfast, be sure to buy a croissant and coffee from a local vendor. The baked goods are incredibly fresh, often still warm and delicious.

You can also easily buy fresh juices, bananas and oranges at the market.

#6 Night Market

This market is probably the most visited place in Luang Prabang . As early as around 4 PM, Sisavangvong Road, located in the center of the old town, is closed to the vehicles, only to turn into the largest market in the city in a few hours. Filled with amazing handicrafts you won’t find in other parts of Laos.

Luang Prabang, used to be a place where artists from the surrounding villages came to, to produce and sell their amazing wares. Back in the days this stopped for a while, but as tourists began to visit Luang Prabang more readily the artists returned, and it continues to this day be the best place to by handcraft.

Night Market is the perfect place to buy souvenirs for loved ones.

In addition to shopping, Night Market is also a great place to grab something to eat. Starting from delicious local dishes, Thai dishes and vegetarian buffet (more or less in the middle of the market).

You will also find here delicious Roti, which is nothing but pancakes with bananas and chocolate. Or mango and condensed milk (yummy). Don’t forget cold and refreshing fruit smoothies, or delicious ice cream.

Night Market is the perfect place to eat well, tasty and cheap.

#7 Kuang Si Waterfalls

Located about an hour out of town, the Kuang Si Waterfalls are the largest waterfalls in the area, if not in all of Laos. And it’s certainly an attraction you don’t want to miss during your stay in Luang Prabang.

The main 50-meter waterfall is dripped in greenery, and the water running down the stones has made them incredibly smooth.

You can’t swim at the pool by the highest waterfall, while nothing prevents you from jumping into the incredibly turquoise, but also incredibly cold water, in the other surrounding pools. There are not many swimmers, so often the pools are almost empty.

Entry to the waterfalls costs $1.50 per person, and of course it is the best to get here early in the morning, as this place gets quite crowded during the day.

Since the waterfalls are located outside the city, you can get here by rented scooter (an hour’s drive), or by mini van with an organized tour. You can book the tour in the center of Luang Prabang at one of the tourist agencies, or through the hotel where you will be staying.

#8 Mount Phousi

In the very center of the city, opposite the Royal Palace there are stairs that take you to the highest hill in Luang Prabang – Mount Phousi. A place where visitors to the city watch the setting sun.

At the top there is a small, golden Buddhist shrine – Wat Chomsi, and amazing views of the whole Luang Prabang from above.

It takes about 300 stairs to get to the top, and the stairs are often quite crowded, as is the summit.

It costs $1.20 per person to climb Mount Phousi.

#9 Bamboo Bridge

There are as many as two bamboo bridges in Luang Prabang. But you won’t experience them all year round. That is because when the water in the Nham Khan River rises, the bamboo bridges are dismantled.

The bridges are built every year in November, and dismantled in June when the water level rises, only to be built again in November.

The bamboo wood from which the bridges are made can be reused three years in a row, the bridges are built by local craftsmen, and it takes them about a month every year.

While the bridges are dismantled, to get to the other side locals use boats.

The first of the bridges is located in the center of the city and to cross it you must pay a small fee of $0.60.

The second bridge, is located at the very end of town, where the Mekong and Nham Khan rivers merge, and is definitely more impressive and nicely situated. And the view from the top, looking at the bridge is magnificent.

This bridge is called Maiphong, and the entrance to it is located right next to a lovely restaurant.

Entrance to this bridge costs $1.

#10 Admire Buddhist meditation exhibit

The Buddhist meditation exhibit is not the largest, but in addition to amazing photographs, it also contains display cases with old photos, and information on why meditation is such an important part of Buddhism.

Entrance to the exhibition of black and white photographs is free, but be sure to dress appropriately, as the building in which the exhibition is located stands on the grounds of the temple.

#11 Small, local boutiques

If you’re still space in you luggage for handicrafts produced by the local community, in Luang Prabang you’ll find several charming boutiques selling beautiful textile products and more.

• Two Little Birds | Amazing vegetarian local food
• Bouang | Delicious burgers and salad bowls
• Saffron Coffee| Great coffee and cake

To get to the charming city of Luang Prabang you have several options to choose from, it all depends on where you are traveling from and the size of your wallet.

Slowboat cruise

Since Luang Prabang is incredibly close to the Thai border, many people traveling from that country often choose this option. The cruise lasts two days and there are several small stops along the way, as well as a longer one during which travelers spend the night in one of the towns along the river.

The trip can be booked in various cities in Thailand, such as Chiang Mai, at travel agencies. From the port to the center you will get by local Tuk Tuk, and the distance is about 10 km.

Air travel

Since 2011 Luang Prabang boasts an international airport, which definitely makes traveling to this amazing city easier. Find your flights to Luang Prabang.

The airport is only 10-15 minutes away from the city center, so it’s definitely a big convenience as well, and after leaving the building, the first amazing views of the favorable surroundings appear to your eyes.

From the airport to the center there are shared mini vans, which charge around $4.50 per stop.

Bus ride

The last option is to travel by bus, possible of course only from surrounding countries, but the trip takes quite a long time and is quite tiring, given the not always ideal roads along the route. Bus ride is organized by private companys so the best way to find one is in the city center of Chiang Mai.

The historic center of Luang Prabang is not large, however, you have several options to choose from as you move around the place.

On your feet

Since the city is not one of the largest, you will get everywhere on your feet. This is the most budget-friendly option of the possible, and thanks to this you will also discover small charming streets and stores.

Local Tuk Tuk

However, if you prefer rides to walking, you’ll find colorful local tuk tuks on practically every street year, which will get you everywhere.

Scooter

In Luang Prabang you can easily rent a scooter, but remember that in many places you have to leave your passport as a deposit, so carefully read the reviews on google before deciding on a company to rent one.

Bicycle

If you don’t feel confident on a scooter, but want to get somewhere faster than on your feet, local bike rental companies can help.

The dry season, when the average temperature is 26°C is the best time to visit Luang Prabang, this season runs from November to March. This is the best time to visit this amazing city.

Remember that every year in March and April is the burning season for local farmers. This can make the air very polluted and breathing difficult.

Unfortunately, the prices of hotels in Luang Prabang are a bit higher than in other places in Laos, but the hotel base is so rich that there is something for everyone.
Find a hotel in Luang Prabang.

We stayed at Chidlatda Villa  by the Mekong River, and although the room was not the largest, the price included breakfast (eggs in several ways), we received a bottle of water every day, clean towels, and the room was cleaned regularly.

The owners were kind and incredibly helpful. They helped us arrange a mini van to the next town in Laos, as well as transportation to the waterfall.

Depending on the country you’re coming from different Visa requirements apply. Most of the countries will require a Visa on arrival or eVisa. Check your Laos visa requirements before your travel.

In Laos, cash is still largely handled. Places such as night markets, local stores and even restaurants only accept cash.

ATMs in the city can be found mostly around the Night Market, but sometimes they don’t accept all cards, or accept them only after the fifth or tenth attempt. So it’s worth having at least two cards from different banks, e.g. Visa and Mastercard, so that you don’t have a problem with withdrawing cash.

If you manage to find an ATM that accepts your card, withdraw more money so you don’t have to worry about it later.

At the airport, and border crossings, only cash is accepted, so it’s worth having $40 with you for the visa, as well as $1 for scanning the photo from your passport (if you don’t have prints) and $1 for “service”.

If you don’t have dollars, the airport also accepts Thai Baht, and Euros.

There are also ATMs at the airport (right at the airport exit), and if you don’t have cash, customs officials allow travelers to go out to withdraw it, but here again there may be a problem with withdrawing. So if you have the opportunity, take some cash with you so you don’t have to worry about it.

In Luang Prabang, unfortunately, a few times it happened to us that in stores or markets we were given bad change, so it is worth checking before putting money in your wallet.

As in every country there are different mobile operators, so it is no different in Laos. When we buy a Sim card in a new country, we always look at the most important criteria for us. Coverage and internet credit for a fair price.

After some research and our trip across Laos, we can recommend Unitel without hesitation.

Remember that at registration it is necessary to show your passport!

The prices are per person, except for the accommodation, which we rent for 2 people.

Accommodation: $27 / night

Restaurant: $3 – $6 / meal

Snack: $1 – $2 / meal

Activity: $1.20 – $1.80 / event