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Region: Northern Laos> Province: Luang Prabang>Location: Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang sights and attractions

Royal Palace Museum - A glimpse of the Lao royal lifestyle

Description
Housed in the former Royal Palace, left uninhabited since the Royal family was deposed in 1975, the Museum showcases many treasures of Laos' royal past, in addition to allowing visitors to catch a glimpse of the private and public quarters of Lao royalty. Also displayed here is the Prabang, the sacred Buddha image for which Luang Prabang was named. No cameras or bags are allowed inside with secure storage available free at the door. Respectable dress required - knees and shoulders must be covered.

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 08:30-10:30 & 14:00-16.00

Kwang Si Falls and Phet the tiger - Worth seeing

Description
About an hour's scenic drive through rice fields, mountains and dusty ethnic minority villages lies the beautiful Kwang Si Waterfall. Clear water cascades gracefully over limestone formations gathering into layers of stunning turquoise pools. The main part of the waterfall is no longer as spectacular as photos and postcards suggest, as a large section of the limestone deposit formation collapsed about a year ago. This does not stop the rest of the falls from being gorgeous, and the attraction well worth a visit. Follow the tumbling waters either up or down stream to private shaded swimming areas and scenic views.

Picnic spots, public toilets and changing rooms are available. Bring a baguette or buy simple Lao food at stalls on site. Swimming is permitted in marked pools only and modest bathing costumes are necessary. Lao people swim fully clothed.

Phet the tiger and her three Asiatic Black Bear companions, rescued from the hands of poachers, are in large enclosures halfway between the entrance to the Falls complex. Make a donation and help support these endangered species.

Opening Hours: Daily

How to get there: Average cost of transport to the falls is $2-5 per person. It is also possible to go by boat.

Pak Ou Caves - A highlight

Description
The Pak Ou Caves, also known as Tham Ting, or Limestone Caves, are set into a high vertical cliff face on the bank of the Mekong River, about an hour and a half upstream from Luang Prabang. The caves can only be reached by boat, either directly from Luang Prabang or from Baan Pak Ou, a small village one hour's drive from Luang Prabang set in the mouth of the Ou River, and directly across the Mekong from the caves.

There is an upper and lower cave, with the lower cave the highlight, being filled with hundreds of Buddha images of varying sizes and with a lovely view across the river. The unlit upper cave is a 10-minute trek up sometimes slippery steps, where you'll need a torch to see the 'naga', a dragon-shaped vessel once used by the King at Lao New Year to wash the Buddha images, and a small graveyard of broken Buddhas.

Opening Hours: Daily 8:00-17:00

How to get there: The average cost of transport to the caves (per person) is about $5.00.

Mount Phou Si - An excellent viewpoint

Description
Phou Si, meaning Holy Mountain in Lao, has an excellent view over town, as well as the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. The temple is striking from a distance but can be disappointing up close. Many people gather here to watch the sunset or sunrise and chat to the novice monks who gather to practise their English. There are two entrances, back and front. If you walk up one side and down the other you’ll get great views of each river. Bring water to drink as the steps can be steep.


Opening Hours: Open daily.

The temples of Luang Prabang - The main attraction

Description
Before the Chinese invaded, there were 60-odd temples in Luang Prabang. Now there are 43, housing over 700 monks and novices. An amazing spectacle is watching each of these saffron-robed monks walking barefoot in the misty dawn to receive their daily alms. Photos are allowed, but be respectfully dressed and keep your distance to avoid causing offence.

Wat Xieng Thong
The Royal Patronage temple, at the tip of the peninsular, built in traditional Luang Prabang style, with its swooping low eaves, is usually considered the most spectacular.
Entrance fee: 5,000kip

Wat Khili
This is the only surviving temple in Laos built in the Xieng Khuang style, as all the temples in the Xieng Khuang area were destroyed during the American bombing raids of the Vietnam War.

Wat Sene
Wat Sene is a stunning wat featuring a huge golden standing Buddha. 'Sene' means 100,000 kip in Lao, and when the temple was built in 1718 it cost that much to build. It now equates to US$10!

Wat Visoun
This is a peaceful temple, featuring the much-photographed Watermelon Stupa, so named because the Lao people think it looks like one.

Wat Mai
Centrally located and noted for its beautiful golden terrace, Wat Mai is where the Prabang Buddha image begins its journey in the Lao New Year procession.
Entry fee: 5,000kip

There are many other temples to visit. The best thing about Luang Prabang is wandering around and finding your favourite. Be prepared for every novice monk in every temple to want to practise their English!

Tad Sae Waterfall - Wel worth the effort to reach

Description
An hour out of Luang Prabang by tuk tuk followed by a short boat ride is a waterfall, well worth the half-day trip because of its limestone cascades. During the dry season, the waterfall often has no water, and is not so spectacular. There are rarely any visitors at this time. Modest swimwear required so as not to cause offence to the mostly Lao visitors. Restaurants and facilities are available.

Opening Hours: Open daily

Ban Phanom, Ban Xieng Lek - Weaving villages - Take your bargaining hat

outskirts of Luang Prabang

Description
On the outskirts of Luang Prabang, these two villages are principally devoted to textiles. It is possible to watch the women at work as well as observe the entire silk-making process from silkworm, through to dyeing and weaving, to wall hanging. As expected, you can also buy here, although expect to bargain hard.

Ban Had Hian - Blacksmiths at work

Description
Ban Had Hian is a small village about 5 km from Luang Prabang where you can watch blacksmith families crafting many different kinds of knife, shovel and spade. Keep an eye out for the bellows used to heat the metal, as many of them and other tools are remnants of bomb casings from the Vietnam War. You might also be interested to note the elaborate safety precautions.

Henri Mahout's Grave - Great trip

Description
The first foreigner to see Angkor Wat in its jungle setting, Henri Mahout died of malaria in 1861 at the age of 35 while living in Luang Prabang. The grave is not particularly interesting, but the scenery on the Nam Khan make it worth the visit. A great picnic spot, but no amenities are available.

Ban Xieng men - Pop over the Mekong for a great view

Description
It's a short boat ride across the Mekong River to this very traditional Lao village. Do climb to the top of Wat Chompet to see the great view back over Luang Prabang, though the temple itself is almost in ruins.

Ban Sang Hai - Watch lao lao being made

Description
Aged in a matter of minutes, lao lao is an acquired taste. In this village you can watch its production and purchase a bottle, which will often including scorpions and snakes to improve one's sexual vitality. A 45-minute boat ride up the Mekong River, Ban Sang Hai can be visited in conjunction with Pak Ou Caves.