Once the capital of Laos, the sleepy riverside city of Luang Prabang offers all the charm you’d expect of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and more. Saffron-robed monks gather alms at sunrise; boats flit along the Mekong; eaves soar; and Buddhas gleam at the cities’ temples and royal palaces. But there are more things to do in Luang Prabang than history and culture alone: Cooking courses, craft classes, waterfalls, and the night market all beckon.
Travel around Laos is easiest during the dry season, which runs from November to April. But the best time to visit Luang Prabang is between November and February when temperatures are cooler, and the March–April rice stubble burning has yet to fill the air with smoke. Photographers will love the Lao New Year (Boun Pi Mai) celebrations on April 14-16 and the Festival of Lights (Boun Lai Heua Fai) in October.
Luang Prabang is pocket-sized with little by way of hills, so many travelers do most of their exploring on foot or on rented bicycles. There’s no formal public transit, but tuk-tuks and songthaews, the tuk-tuk’s big brother, run routes around the city and work as taxis too. The Loca ride-hailing app, Laos’ answer to Uber, is a great way to book both four- and two-wheeled taxis.
British celebrity chef and champion shouter Gordon Ramsay says Laos is one of the world’s top food destinations. Give back while you munch by eating at Khaiphaen restaurant, run by a non-profit that provides training and funding for disadvantaged children. And don’t miss the classes at Tamarind, a restaurant-owned cooking school known for its fresh, creative use of Lao flavors.
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Yes, Luang Prabang is absolutely worth visiting. Laos’ top tourist destination and a former royal capital, Luang Prabang boasts the country’s best selection of hotels, including Raffles, Aman, and Rosewood. The city’s serene beauty has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status, and the food scene is also Laos’ best.
...MoreLuang Prabang is best known for monks and temples: it has the highest concentration of working temples in Southeast Asia. But it’s also a center for traditional crafts, including weaving and paper-making. Set where the Nam Khan meets the Mekong, it’s a popular spot for short river cruises.
...MoreYou need at least three days in Luang Prabang. Explore the town, hitting the Royal Palace Museum and Golden City Temple (Wat Xieng Thong), with sunset on Mt. Phousi; cruise to the Pak Ou Caves and take a craft or cooking class; visit Kuang Si Falls and the UXO Lao Visitor Centre.
...MoreGet up early to see the monks line up for almsgiving, then explore the town—don’t miss Golden City Temple (Wat Xieng Thong). After lunch by the Mekong, cruise to the Pak Ou Caves. Scale Mt. Phousi for sunset, then hit the night market and a Lao restaurant.
...MoreThere are more things to do in Luang Prabang than gawk at monks and temples: Mekong cruises, cooking courses, and classes in everything from weaving to pottery. The serene countryside is an excellent location for hiking, while the Kuang Si Falls and Tad Sae Waterfall make beautiful spots to unwind.
...MoreNovember is the best month to visit Luang Prabang. The dry season has started, and the weather is not too scorching, but the Christmas, New Year, and Lunar New Year crowds have yet to arrive. The Festival of Lights (Boun Lai Heua Fai) in October can also be magical.
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