Long synonymous with free-spirited backpackers and French immigrants looking for a slower pace of life, Luang Prabang, Laos, is a more affordable alternative to its popular neighbors Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Hanoi, Vietnam.
But smaller price tags don’t mean there’s a lack of luxury when it comes to where to stay, what to do, and where to eat. You can take your pick from five-star luxury hotels, book a private sunset boat cruise, and alternate between incredibly delicious street food and more cosmopolitan restaurants.
There are a lot of ways to stretch your dollar in this ancient city along the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, a place that’s also home to a distinctive blend of preserved French colonial architecture and golden temples.
Where To Stay
Some of the world’s most luxurious hotel brands — from the all-suite Aman (where most rooms come with a private pool) to Rosewood (tucked amid a lush forest) — have outposts in Luang Prabang. Other top-tier options include the hilltop La Résidence Phou Vao, A Belmond Hotel and Sofitel Luang Prabang, set inside the former residence of a French governor. For a prime location in the center of town, known as the Old Quarter, book a stay at the 53-room Avani+ Luang Prabang. For a more boutique option, The Belle Rive has 19 rooms and suites spread across four charming houses overlooking the Mekong.
What To Do
While many itineraries you’ll find only include two or three days in Luang Prabang, we recommend around four or five, so you have time to experience the sights and activities without rushing.
On a clear day, climb the 328 stone steps to the top of Mount Phousi. The tallest hill in town shows off an incredible vantage point stretching from the mountains to the valley. You can also offer a blessing at Wat Chomsi (That Chomsi), the sacred stupa that shines at the top.
Luang Prabang has dozens of temples sprinkled throughout its alleyways. One of the town’s most popular pastimes is witnessing the morning alms taken by the monks living in the various monasteries and temples. To best observe this tradition, avoid the crowded Sisavangvong and Sakkaline streets. Instead, walk to neighboring streets where locals are waiting outside their homes to give an offering. Remember to be respectful by keeping your distance, turning off your camera’s flash, and staying silent.
There are several notable museums to visit while in Luang Prabang. The National Museum, once the site of the royal palace, houses famous works of art, royal bedrooms, thrones, and other artifacts. The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) offers a look into the country’s many ethnic groups through their various handicrafts and cultural traditions. Make time for the UXO Lao Visitor Center, which highlights the devastating impact that unexploded ordinances from the Vietnam War have had and continue to have on communities in rural Laos.
Sensational sunsets occur daily here, and one of the best (and most romantic) ways to experience them is aboard a tricked-out traditional boat. Your hotel can book a cruise for you, or go through a company like Mekong Kingdoms.
To see more of the province’s natural beauty, take a ride to Kuang Si Falls to swim in its cascading turquoise water. On the way back, stop at Laos Buffalo Dairy, a nonprofit that works with local farmers and produces and sells buffalo cheese and ice cream.
Where To Eat
Luang Prabang has a fantastic street food scene. The most popular (read: touristy) place is undoubtedly the Night Market in the Old Quarter — but if you walk down the alley perpendicular to it, you’ll find different local options that cost even less.
If you’re after a fancier evening out, make a reservation at Manda de Laos. Situated alongside a magical water lily-filled lake, this restaurant is the place to go for traditional Laotian recipes. At the elegant yet relaxed Tam Nam, inside the Belmond Hotel, the team uses hyper-local produce and proteins to create dishes like buffalo jerky, wok-fried beef in black pepper sauce, and the restaurant’s signature roasted duck with rainbow sauce.
When To Go
October through April is the best time to visit Luang Prabang. The weather isn’t blisteringly hot, and you avoid the rainy season. But keep in mind: December to roughly April is the “burning season” in Southeast Asia, when farmers throughout the region slash and burn their fields, leading to smoky (and sometimes dangerous) air quality.
How To Get Around
Wandering its many small alleyways on foot is a great way to see the Old Quarter. To cover more ground, take a bicycle from your hotel (they’re often free for guests) and cycle around. Tuk-tuks and motorbikes (bookable through Grab, like an Uber for motorbikes) are another convenient way to explore Luang Prabang.
How To Get There
Visitors can reach Luang Prabang via its international airport. Another option is to fly into Laos’ capital city, Vientiane, and hop aboard the new semi-high-speed train that connects China-Laos. From Vientiane, it’s about a two-hour trip north through the countryside to Luang Prabang.