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Bucket List: Tourist Attractions and Best Places to visit in Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang is the first UNESCO Site that is listed in the country of Laos, and the town has a lot to offer. There are many things to do in Luang Prabang. Whether you are interested in communing with nature, walking through beautiful temples, learning more about local culture, or shopping, you will have many options to choose at this town.
Go hiking at Mount Phousi
This hill is located literally in the middle of Luang Prabang, and Phousi means a sacred mountain. This is one of the first things to do as you arrive in Luang Prabang. You will climb the 355 steps to the summit, where you will find a temple, Buddha’s giant footprint, and Wat Chom Si golden stupa. The highlight of the hill is that you will get a panoramic view of the town. You can visit at dawn to avoid the crowds or at dusk if you are willing to battle with the crowds for the stunning golden hour view.
Explore Wat Xieng Thong
There are many temple complexes around the town; tourists are welcome to explore around as long as they are respectful and cover up inside the building. You should ensure you visit Wat Xieng Thong, which is located at the northern end of the old town peninsula where royal coronations traditionally took place. The trip’s highlight here is the gold and intricate mosaics covering the temple; you will get a stunning insight into the Buddhist religion.
Visit the Royal Palace Museum
This was formerly used as a royal palace, and it was built in 1904 before it was abdicated in 1975 as Pathet Lao took over Laos’ government. It is now a museum, and you are not allowed to take personal belongings and photographs inside the museum. The museum’s highlight is the Phabang Buddha statue which dates back to the 14th century.
Have fun and climb waterfalls at Kuang Si
A trip to Kuang Si Waterfalls is one of the things that you should ensure you try out while in Luang Prabang. This is a tourist hotspot, and you can get there by bicycle, tuk-tuk, or as part of a tour; the best time to go is in the morning as it is not crowded. The waterfalls are in several stages, and it begins with a hidden jungle plunge pool at the top and ends with a staggering series of emerald pools you can swim in at the bottom.
Relax at the Utopia
After a tiring sightseeing activity, you can unwind at the Utopia bar overlooking the Nam Khan River. You will have a relaxing time here as you grab a chilled beverage and a bowl of olives while you settle down on the colorful pile of cushions and enjoy the scenic view of the area. The staff are friendly and will even encourage you to have a siesta if you like.
Have lunch at the Kuang Si Butterfly Park
The park is run by Dutch couple Olef and Ineska, and this is a stunning and delightful place to spend a few hours. There are three ticket options: just entry, entry plus lunch, and entry plus coffee and cake. At this park, you can have a relaxing time as you dip your feet in the water that is filled with carp while you enjoy your treats. You can also see the different species of butterflies that live in the enclosed portion of the butterfly gardens.
Have fun plowing rice fields with Water Buffalo
One coolest thing you can try while in Luang Prabang is to become a rice farmer for a day at the living land Rice Farm which is just outside Luang Prabang. At this farm, you will take part in all 13 stages of rice production and crushing sugar cane for the juice; you will also forge tools and weave bamboo with the farm workers. The tour’s highlight is when you have to keep up with a water buffalo as you plow the field.
Go hiking at Tat Sae waterfalls.
You can go for a full day or half-day tour at Tat Sae waterfall, and you will be glad you do. You can try and visit during the weekday to minimize the crowds. If you are interested in hiking, there are many streams and trails that you can explore. The best time to visit is between August and November when you will get the best view and also dress modestly if you want to swim here as you will see the local Lao people swimming fully clothed or covered in a sarong.
Explore Pak Ou Caves
There are two caves at the mouth of Ou Rivers: Tham Theung and Tham Ting. The caves have been a spiritual place for centuries and were believed to be occupied by spirits by the animists in the region before Buddhists even brought wooden Buddha statues to the cave. You should bring a headlamp with you while you will like the stunning river views on the way up and down the Mekong.
Go for a river cruise.
This is one of the ways that you can use to explore the town, you can either go on a 10 minutes cruise from Luang Prabang to the Botanical gardens, or you can go 11 days while traveling up the Mekong from Luang Prabang to the Golden Triangle, you will surely appreciate Southeast Asia’s largest river. The highlight of the tour is that you can catch the sunset, and you will also watch the fishermen as they cast their nets against the karst mountain backdrop.
Try out traditional Lao Cuisine.
Most of the restaurants in Lao cater to tourist who is used to the egg-fried rice and noodles of Thailand, and it is difficult to find one that serves true Lao dishes. If you want to try out a traditional Lao Cuisine, then you should book a table at the popular Tamarind Restaurant. You will also learn how to eat the dishes from the menu and what the dishes are. So you should ensure you try out these delicious dishes.
Learn how to Cook Lao Style
The best cooking school in Luang Prabang is just a 20-minute tuk-tuk ride out of town and deep into the spectacular countryside. In the day class, you will go on a trip to the local market for products with your teacher, and this is a way to learn about and also taste some of the unusual ingredients. You will be amazed by what you can cook, like Jeow (spicy dipping sauce), and Laap (a traditional minced buffalo and herb salad.
Watch early morning alms at Tak Bat
An early morning alms ceremony takes place at the Tak Bat temple, a ritual of the monk processions receiving their daily alms. You will be humbled by this activity, and the best way to enjoy the ritual is to sit quietly on the opposite side of the street and watch.
Buy souvenirs at the Night Market.
Before you leave Luang Prabang, you should ensure that you get some souvenirs for your friends and family, and the best place to get those is at the night market, where you will also get them at a great price. The vendors here are lovely people, and you can stroll through any issue; some of the things you can buy are the iconic umbrellas and an elephant made out of a bomb from the Vietnam war.
Have a chat with a monk
Most males in Laos will be monks at some point in their lives, and even many rural families send their young sons to the temple to have a good education and better quality of life. While you visit the temple complexes at Luang Prabang, you can talk to monks if they are not busy, and most of them will love to speak with you as they want to practice their English.
You can do many things in Luang Prabang, and the town also offers a spectacular array of culture, mouthwatering food, nature, etc. Even if you just explore the streets, you will have a glimpse of life in this town.
Luang Prabang Travel and Tour Packages
Luang Prabang Half Day City Tour + Pak Ou Caves
Luang Prabang is rich in the cultural heritage that Laos is well-known for. From its ancient temples to its natural beauty, there is so much to explore within it that it would take days to experience it all.
Luang Prabang Cultural Exploration
Enjoy a day trip up the hills to remote villages occupied by Hmong and Khmu tribes. Walk through paddy fields and forests, taking in the beautiful hilly scenery typical for northern Laos.
Do you have other recommended fun and interesting things to do in Luang Prabang? Please feel free to share by posting a comment below.
Find the Best Hotels in Luang Prabang according to your budget via Agoda.
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