The French colonial town of Luang Prabang appears almost like a mirage out of the Laos jungle. Situated along the shores of the Mekong River, Luang Parabang has long been the seat of Buddhism in Laos- it is PACKED with temples, monasteries, and monks. Along with this, Luang Prabang boasts one of the premier night markets in all of Southeast Asia, with vendors hawking all kinds of arts, crafts, knock-offs, etc. The street food here is incredible, and CHEAP. Luang Parabang also has a couple of natural wonders worht checking out- the Kuang Si Waterfalls and the Pak Ou Caves. Add to all of this amazing food, friendly locals, and a surprisingly hip nightlife, and you’re sure to LOVE Luang Prabang. We do.
Getting There
Hmmmm... This can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you are coming over from northern Thailand at the Huay Xai border crossing. The three options are: 1) the ‘fast boat’- an exceedingly dangerous speedboat ride down the unpredictable Mekong; 2) the ‘slow boat’- an exceedingly slow trip down the Mekong on a dilapidated and often over-crowded live-aboard; 3) The ‘locals’ bus’- an exceedingly arduous overnight bus ride through innumerable villages in the Laos countryside. Good times!
The town of Luang Prabang
If you’re coming north from Vang Vieng or Vientiane, there are minibuses that make a tire-screeching trek through the mountains of Central Laos. Again, good times! Remember- it’s all part of the experience...
Things to do in Luang Prabang
- Visit the Kuang Si Waterfalls- an awesome cascade with several swimming holes spaced throughout the falls, an afternoon at the Kuang Si falls is a great way to keep cool. You’ll probably meet a few monks as well...
- Check out Pak Ou caves- a cruise on the Mekong River takes you to these caves, which double as a Buddhist shrine. Try to count the Buddhas- we dare you...
Life along the Mekong River
- Wander through town- there are so many temples, wats, and monasteries in Luang Prabang, it’s impossible to avoid them. Take a stroll through town to take it all in.
Buddhist monks are a common sight in Luang Prabang
- Find a deal at the Night Market- the night market in Luang Prabang is an experience in and of itself- It is HUGE, there are so many different stalls, and just walking along, chatting with the vendors is a riot. The food here is delicious, and CHEAP.
- Take in the sunset from Mount Phou Si- located in the center of town, Mount Phou Si is impossible to miss, and is THE place to be when it comes to great sunset photographs over the Mekong river. Go early...
- Eat a meal along the Mekong- the river bank is lined with open-air restaurants serving all types of food- a great way to relax an unwind with a cold BeerLao.
- Check out the nightlife- believe it or not, Luang Prabang does have a happening scene, albeit a small one. Who knows- you might find yourself rolling a few frames at the surprisingly modern local bowling alley at 3am...
Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang
Insider Tips
- If you are prone to car sickness, do yourself (and your fellow passengers) a favor and try to sit by a window during the ride to Luang Prabang. The roads are WINDY, and the drivers all think they are Mario Andretti. Bring a baggie, just in case...
- As mentioned above- go early to secure a good spot if you want to take some sunset photos from atop Mount Phou Si. Prime real estate goes quickly.
- If you’re taking the overnight bus from Hauy Xai, try to have your accommodation organized ahead of your arrival in Luang Prabang. As like most other stops in SE Asia, there will be tuktuk drivers waiting to take you to overpriced places where they’ll earn commissions- if you’ve already got a place booked, you’ll save yourself some early morning angst.
- If you find something that you like at the Nigh Market, don’t put off buying it, thinking ‘I’ll get it tomorrow night...’ Chances are, you won’t be able to find the same vendor the next night, as they move around at random. If you want it, negotiate a fair price, and buy it.
Sunset over Luang Prabang