There are endless things to do in Luang Prabang and I wish I could’ve spent more time there!
We made our way by taking the two day, slow-boat from Chiang Khong, Thailand to Luang Prabang, Laos. Unfortunately, we misjudged how much we would love Luang Prabang. We are definitely eager to head back, but for now, I’ll share our favorites!
This post is all about things to do in Luang Prabang!
1. relax in the the kuang si waterfalls
Visiting the Kuang Si waterfalls definitely making our list of things to do in Luang Prabang. If there’s one thing to know about Laos it’s that it is hot. The montly high never dips below 80ºF (26.6ºC). Getting out of the city and getting to cool down is imperative. These gorgeous verdant waterfalls are a perfect way to beat the midday heat.
To learn more about these falls, how to book and things to avoid – click here!
2. Visit the pak ou caves
The Pak Ou caves are a buddhist sanctuary located along the Mekong River. Two caves make up the site and house thousands of buddha statues. The caves date back to the 8th century. The countless buddha statues tucked away these tall and jagged caves truly is as powerful as it sounds.
Due to the distance you need to travel to see these caves, many tour companies offer a combined trip with a visit to the Kuang Si Falls – I personally think this is a great way to see both sites for a more affordable price.
To book this experience click here!
3. Devour budget friendly food at the night market
Laos is sandwiched between Thailand and Vietnam which have cuisines that are known more among Western countries. This doesn’t mean that Lao food isn’t just as good – and here in Luang Prabang you’ll be able to try their delicious dishes.
The night market is open from 5-10 pm everyday and is home to many different and delicious food stalls. Whether you’re craving noodle soups, curries, spring rolls, fresh fruit, barbecued meats or desserts you’ll find plenty of options.
After you’ve filled up on something delicious the surround streets have stalls of different handmade goods like paintings, bookmarks, scarves, handbags, gems and more.
4. Admire the stunning wat xieng thong
Built in 1559, this buddhist temple is one of the most significant and beloved monasteries in all of Laos. It’s absolutely stunning and ornately decorated. The intricate designs are completely mesmerizing and inspiring. They’re open daily from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm – but due to the hot weather in Luang Prabang I’d recommend going earlier in the day.
To visit, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee of 30,000 Lao Kip or roughly $1.40 USD.
Need to know: In order to visit you need to dress modestly to show respect. This means wearing clothing that covering from your shoulders to your knees. You’ll also need to remove hats and/or shoes.
5. Sample traditional lao food at tamarind
Tamarind is a perfect restaurant for an introduction to Lao food! They have all the traditional dishes and explanations in English to allow you to learn more. We ordered their tofu laap, their dipping sampler and a ginger and lemongrass refresher. Everything is delicious, fresh and so flavorful. The use of fresh herbs, citrus, vegetables and umami packed sauces makes their food incredible.
Their menu offers is divided into four sections: set menus, individual lao dishes, drinks and a kids menu!
Unfortunately, we weren’t in Luang Prabang for long enough, but they offer a cooking class. I would highly recommend this experience if you have the time! I love taking cooking classes with locals when traveling.
To book a cooking class with them click here!
I hope you enjoyed this article about things to do in Luang Prabang, Laos – happy travels!
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