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On this article, I’ll share with you the very best issues to do in Luang Prabang, Laos. It doesn’t matter in case you are solely planning your journey to Laos otherwise you’re already there; listed below are 18 wonderful issues you are able to do in Luang Prabang.
Issues you want to know earlier than the journey to Luang Prabang
Earlier than we begin with the very best issues to do in Luang Prabang, I’d prefer to reply some regularly requested questions in regards to the metropolis.
Easy methods to get to Luang Prabang?
Some of the essential questions is the best way to get to Luang Prabang. The best manner of getting there’s by aircraft. You may fly there instantly from Bangkok, Chiang Could and Hanoi (maybe, a couple of different places as properly, however not as regularly). If you happen to’re flying to Vientiane first, it’s also possible to take a velocity prepare, which takes round 4 hours; nonetheless, shopping for tickets is considerably problematic, as there is no such thing as a manner to purchase the tickets on-line, and the gross sales solely open 2 days earlier than the journey date. It’s also possible to take an in a single day bus from Hanoi or Vientiane. It’s also possible to get there by ferry, but it surely may take a few days!
Examine the costs and availability of flights to Luang Prabang right here >
Is Luang Prabang secure?
If you happen to’re questioning whether or not Luang Prabang is secure or not, I can guarantee you that it’s very secure. Luang Prabang is a tiny metropolis, and the locals are genuinely pleasant. After all, I’ve a perspective or a vacationer – somebody, who spent lower than every week in Luang Prabang, however the one crime I’ve heard of there was the motorcycle theft rip-off, the place the individuals, who you hire the bike from, discover the bike and steal it from the road after which ask you to pay them a full value of the “stolen bike”. Thus, I solely suggest renting bikes from trusted corporations with many constructive opinions.
Is Luang Prabang costly? How costly is Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang may be each very inexpensive and fairly costly. It’s an idyllic city, so there are a couple of ultra-luxurious inns like Belmond, Rosewood and AMAN. Unusual resorts are additionally not too low-cost; you may put together to pay £120-130 per evening. Nevertheless, if you wish to keep on a price range, there are many very low-cost hostels round.
Meals may be very low-cost in Luang Prabang – you may eat properly for lower than £10 per day for 3 meals. If you happen to eat avenue meals, you may maybe survive with simply £5 a day.
Excursions and excursions will also be fairly inexpensive until you purchase them from inns and tour businesses. The most affordable technique to do sightseeing is by both renting a bike (you may get a pleasant one for lower than $5 a day) or hiring a taxi and sharing it with a number of individuals. Taxi drivers cost $20-30 for a visit to the waterfalls & some landmarks on the way in which, so in case you cut up it between 4 individuals, that’s simply $5-$7 per particular person.
Total, Luang Prabang was probably the most inexpensive locations we have now visited in the previous few years!
How lengthy ought to I keep in Luang Prabang?
Lots of people come to Luang Prabang to work remotely, and why wouldn’t they? The climate is nice, every little thing is inexpensive, the surroundings is wonderful, and the web is nice. Nevertheless, in case you’re coming as a vacationer, what number of days could be sufficient? I’d say in 3 days; it is possible for you to to see many of the issues round Luang Prabang and inside the town. Nevertheless, if you wish to take it gradual and relaxation, I’d say that perhaps 4-5 days could be even higher.
If you happen to don’t have an excessive amount of time, then 2 days would even be okay. Nevertheless, these 2 days should be fairly busy.
The place to remain in Luang Prabang?
Lastly, let’s focus on lodging and the place to remain in Luang Prabang. We stayed on the Bel Air Resort with gorgeous river views. Nevertheless, the placement wasn’t the very best as a result of each time we wanted to go someplace (all of the locations aside from the airport had been throughout the river), we needed to cross a really scary bridge. Not the stunning Bamboo bridge, however the Previous French Bridge that seemed prefer it was on the snapping point, with lacking wood planks and nails protruding in every single place. In contrast to the Bamboo bridge, this bridge was very excessive within the air, and any fall would have been deadly.
As a substitute, I like to recommend staying on the following locations:
Luxurious resorts: If cash is just not an issue, these resorts could be an incredible possibility: Burasari Heritage, Rosewood, 3 Nagas
Mid-range inns and resorts: The Belle Rive, Angsana Maison
Very inexpensive however fairly good place to remain in Luang Prabang: Villa Ouis
With out additional ado, let’s get began!
18 wonderful issues to do in Luang Prabang:
Take a sundown cruise alongside the Mekong River
My absolute favorite factor to do in Luang Prabang was taking a sundown cruise alongside the Mekong River. If you happen to can solely do one factor, that will be the factor I like to recommend doing in Laos. There are many cruise choices – from some actually fancy cruises that embrace a 3-course dinner to some quite simple boats. You don’t have to guide prematurely, simply head to Khem Khong Avenue, and plenty of boat homeowners’ll strategy you. We discovered a flyer promoting a sundown cruise for $5.5 per particular person from Svan Mekong Cruises (that’s the spelling) in one of many companies (I believe you should buy it from Mekong Eden Home) and had been extraordinarily fortunate – there have been no different vacationers that day and we had been the one ones on this cruise!
The boat was additionally beautiful – it had bean baggage and cosy seats, and we may additionally purchase beers and wine there (for an additional payment, but it surely was very inexpensive as properly).
It will get fairly chilly at evening, particularly in December/January, however we had been provided blankets, which was very considerate and wonderful.
If you happen to’re concerned about a dinner cruise, you may test this cruise on-line right here.
Stroll the Unesco Heritage protected a part of Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang turned a UNESCO world heritage website in 1994, and that was completely deserved – Luang Prabang may be very fairly. The most effective issues you are able to do in Luang Prabang is to put on snug sneakers and for for a stroll or a motorcycle experience across the Previous City – there are many lovely streets!
Go to the evening market on Sisavangvong Highway
Sisavangvong Highway is probably the most well-known, busy and common avenue in Luang Prabang. It will get particularly crowded within the night, round 6pm, when the evening market opens. The evening market in Luang Prabang has loads of stalls promoting garments, souvenirs and artwork. I’d say it’s primarily geared toward vacationers, but it surely’s a must-visit attraction anyway.
Strive native avenue meals
Proper in the beginning of the Evening Market, there’s a everlasting avenue meals market in Luang Prabang. Most stalls open round 6pm and are in full swing by 7pm and 8pm. Nevertheless, in case you come later, at 9pm or 10pm, you’ll nonetheless be capable to discover some open stalls at this market.
Avenue meals in Laos may be very distinctive – you may both strive a number of small dishes from the stalls (e.g. all kinds of skewers) or get correct dishes within the restaurant stalls on the opposite facet of the market (subsequent to the large display). The preferred dish in Laos is Laap – a meat or fish salad, which is scrumptious however very spicy. Truly, most dishes in Laos are very, very spicy! Even Jose couldn’t eat a few of the dishes – and he was born and raised in Mexico, a rustic with loads of spicy meals and folks snacking on chillies.
In case you are bored with spicy meals, take into account asking for a soup. Soups in Laos are usually not spicy!
Go to the Kuang Si waterfall
One of many most important points of interest of Luang Prabang is situated outdoors the town, circa 45 minutes away. You may both get there by motorcycle, purchase a tour or rent a taxi that can await you there for 3-4 hours for $20 for a day. Alternatively, you may get there by boat in case you purchase a tour (that mixes Kuang Si Waterfalls and Pak Ou caves, for instance) – you may guide a tour on-line right here.
Entrance to Kuang Si prices round $2.5 per particular person, and you’ll swim in a few of the swimming pools there. Nevertheless, it will get very busy! There isn’t a lot mountain climbing/strolling close to Kuang Si. Nevertheless, additionally, you will go to a tiny village subsequent to the waterfall, which is gorgeous & very genuine. If you happen to’re hungry, don’t fear, there will probably be loads of meals choices within the village proper on the entrance to the waterfall.
Total, in case you’re not planning to swim, you may go to the waterfall and the village in about 45 minutes to 1 hour. On this case, in case you employed a taxi, similar to we did, it’s also possible to ask your taxi driver to cease on the buffalo farm or on the rice farm proper outdoors Luang Prabang.
Journey a bike
One other of the 15+ wonderful issues to do in Luang Prabang is driving a motorcycle. If you happen to’ve by no means pushed one earlier than, take into account taking the teachings. It’s also possible to rent an electrical motorcycle that’s not so quick & harmful. It’s actually enjoyable to drive round Luang Prabang on a bike, and also you’ll be capable to entry loads of points of interest simply!
Stroll the bamboo bridge
One of many points of interest of Luang Prabang is the Bamboo Bridge throughout the Nam Khan River. It’s solely open 6 months a yr and will get rebuilt yearly because it will get destroyed as soon as the water ranges rise. You want to pay 10,000 kips ($0.6) per particular person to cross the bridge, but it surely’s value it. If you happen to’re visiting outdoors the wet season, it’s best to undoubtedly attempt to cross it at the least as soon as!
Go to the Buffalo farm
A few the expats opened a buffalo farm outdoors Luang Prabang a couple of years in the past, and ever because it turned an attraction. You may come to the farm to strive a couple of cheeses product of buffalo milk and buffalo ice cream. It’s also possible to take a tour across the farm (I believe it prices round $10 per particular person) and be taught extra in regards to the farm and even feed child buffalos from a bottle.
Learn to harvest rice at Residing Lang Farm
One other thrilling factor to do in Luang Prabang is go to a rice farm situated simply outdoors Luang Prabang, close to the Pullman Lodge. You may even stroll there from the city centre. It’s known as Residing Land Farm. You may take part in planting and harvesting rice and, usually, be taught extra about rising rice and the significance of rice in Laos. You may be taught extra on their web site right here.
Go to the MandaLao elephant sanctuary
It’s also possible to go to the MandaLao elephant sanctuary, the place you may have a non-riding expertise (trek subsequent to them) with elephants, be taught extra about elephants in Laos and assist elephant conservation. You may be taught extra in regards to the expertise right here.
Climb the Mount Phou Si
One of many must-visit locations in Luang Prabang is Mount Phou Si – situated proper within the coronary heart of the town; this mountain has a ravishing temple on the highest of it. There are many stairs to climb. Nevertheless, the views from there are properly value it. The ticket to enter the higher a part of Mount Phou Si prices circa $1 per particular person.
Have a therapeutic massage
If you happen to really feel confused or simply need to loosen up, Luang Prabang is a superb place to have a therapeutic massage! There are many therapeutic massage parlours throughout Luang Prabang, and most of them are very inexpensive! After all, there are luxurious therapeutic massage parlours as properly, so you’ve loads of choices for any price range.
See probably the most lovely temples in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang has so many gorgeous temples, monasteries and stupas. Essentially the most lovely is undoubtedly Haw Pha Bang, situated proper on the backside of Mount Phou Si. There’s additionally Wat Wisunarat, which is extra non secular and manner much less touristy and Wat Sen. There are such a lot of temples within the Previous City that it’s in all probability unattainable to go to all of them!
Go to the morning market
Luang Prabang has many markets! After the evening market, the second most well-known market could be the morning market, the place you’ll find loads of native produce & groceries. It opens daily at 5am and closes at 10am. You will discover it subsequent to the Ananta Villa Lodge.
Observe the Alm Giving ceremony with the Buddhist monks
If you happen to’re an early hen and also you want to observe a really distinctive, lovely ceremony that is essential to locals, head to the Previous City round 5:30am. It’s a ceremony the place native Buddhists supply alms (do-it-yourself sticky rice) to the monks. Nevertheless, until you’re a Buddhist, you shouldn’t take part. As a substitute, you may quietly observe the ceremony. It’s also possible to take photographs (with no flash), however ensure you’re not in the way in which and never obstructing anybody.
Pak Ou Caves
Pak Ou Caves are sometimes visited as a part of a tour. It’s a major website for locals, particularly Buddhists, and they’re completely filled with hundreds of Buddha pictures. Guests usually mix Pak Ou Caves with Kuang Si Waterfalls, e.g. this tour visits each landmarks!
Go trekking
If you happen to’re into sports activities and would get pleasure from one thing that features transferring and delightful sceneries, then it’s best to undoubtedly go trekking outdoors Luang Prabang! You may both analysis the routes your self after which head there utilizing taxis or purchase a trekking tour like this one. Both manner, you’ll undoubtedly get pleasure from trekking in such gorgeous surroundings.
Go to the Pottery village
Lastly, it’s also possible to go to the pottery village situated in Ban Chan, very near Luang Prabang (simply on the opposite facet of Mekong river), the place you may take part in a pottery workshop and also have a eating expertise. If that feels like one thing you’ll get pleasure from, you may be taught extra and guide a tour right here.
Abstract of 18 wonderful issues to do in Luang Prabang
I hope that on this article, you discovered some attention-grabbing locations that you simply want to go to in Luang Prabang. After all, there are extra issues to do within the city and its environment, however I may solely write in regards to the issues we loved probably the most / or heard from pals that they had been wonderful and undoubtedly value doing or visiting.
When you have any questions, be happy to DM me at @lizatripsget – I’d be capable to assist!
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