Where to go

Phousi Mountain

Phousi means ' sacred mountain ' and is located quiet in the middle of Luang Prabang. Climb up the more than 328 steps to the summit where you will find a Temple, Buddhas giant footprint and a golden Stupa. There are two sets of stairs, one across from the Royal Palace Museum and one on the road that run along the Nam Khan River.

Visit Phousi Mountain at dawn to avoid the crowds or at dusk if you are willing to battle the crowds for the golden hour panoramic view.

Luang Prabang Night Market

The Luang Prabang Night Market takes place every day at the corner of Setthathirath and Sisavangvong Roads in the center of the town. From 5:00 pm onwards, the entire length of the street is closed off to vehicles and the hill - tribe traders emerge with their various apparels, ceramics, bamboo, lamps, blankets, bed covers, handicrafts and silk scarves. 

Morning Market or Talad Tha Heua, which is started ealier at 4am in daily and finish at 9:30am, the most people come to sell the stuffs are from in the city, outside village and another side of Mekong river as Jomphet district, there are many people come to have a walk seeinng and buy the things as requirement, the mostly selling are crops.

Kuang Si Waterfalls

The Kuang Si Waterfalls is a three leveled waterfall about 29km South of Luang Prabang. These 

Waterfalls are the favourite side step for tourists when they visit the Town of Luang Prabang. The falls

 begin in shallow pools atop a steep hillside. These lead to the main Fall with 60 Meters dropping. They 

are accessed via a trail to the left of the Falls. The water flows in to a turquoise blue pool before 

continuing downstream. The many cascades that result are typical of the Kuang Si Waterfall.

Royal Palace Museum

The former Royal Palace  was built in 1904 and abdicated in 1975 when the Pathed Lao took over Laos Government. Now a Museum ( Admission is 30.000 Kip ) in which you can see the history of 

the city and it's former Monarchy and you can see also the Statue of Pra Bang, which gave the City 

it's name. 

Pak Ou Caves

Near Pak Ou,  the Tham Ting and the Tham Theung are Caves overlooking the Mekong, 25km to the

 North of Luang Prabang. They are a group of 2 caves on the West side of the Mekong river and one of the most popular place for locals to burn incense and offer prayers. Packed with over 4000 Buddha icons they assume a variety of positions, from Meditation to Peace and Nirvana ( the reclining Buddha ). The statues are believed to have been left in the caves by local people for hundreds of years. 

The Caves get very busy in April, when Lao New Year is in full swing with local washing and attending to the images. 

The Caves are not far from Ban Xang Hai Village, the famous for its wine and whisky production 

  Tad Sae Waterfalls 

Tad Sae requires a ride out of town and then a short trip down the Nam Khan River in a traditional longboat. These falls feature smaller cascades on a wider tributary. The area around the falls is more build up than Kuang Si and there are decks criss - crossing the water where you can relax and enjoy the sights and sounds. Nearby, an elephant park offers visitors the chance to meet, feed and even tide

Asian elephants.

Nam Dong Park Falls.

To reach the centerpiece of the park, Nam Dong Falls, you walk past a field of roses and an organic vegetable garden. There’s a wooden balcony over the gushing water where you can feast on Lao food from the nature park restaurant as you take in the inspiring scenery. 14km from the city, 30minutes by car.

Ziplining through mountains and forest, Feel the adrenaline rush and excitement! Six stations of Zip-line - total length of over 800 meters. The longest 300 meters will take your breath away cable bridge treetop walk and treehouse are worth a visit.

A back to nature experience awaits you. You can definitely spend half a day here and families or a group of friends will have a blast. 

Opening Times: 8am - 5pm

Elephant Village

The Elephant Village was founded in October 2003 after intense preparations that included the mapping and creating of a special elephant trail to the Tad Sae Waterfalls. Starting such a project was possible only because if its founder, Markus Peschke, who has had a long history in the local tourism industry. In 2015 Elephant Village was sold to a Lao Family from Vientiane. 

Elephant Village's mission is to provide a peaceful home and sustainable future for elephants in Laos.  Tourism activities contribute to the elephants giving them the opportunity tonsupport themselves and neighboring local villages. 

  Temples in Luang Prabang

Wat Xiengthong

Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most elaborately adorned temples in the  UNESCO World Heritage portion of Luang Prabang and was built in 1560. Enter one of the smaller shrines and test your strength and conviction by 

to lift a seated buddha statue while kneeling and thinking of a wish. The temple has been restored several times over the years and has over 20 buildings on the property.

The Wat Xieng Thong ( Monastery of the golden City ) is the religious emblem of Luang Prabang

 and one of the highest symbols of Buddhism in Laos. It is considered as the architectural reference of

 Luang Prabang with a very pointed vihan which comes down very low.

Wat Phon Phao

This Temple is located on a hill in the Southeast of Luang Prabang across the Nam Khan River near the Airport and might be the first you will see when you arrive in Luang Prabang. This temple is used as a forest meditation retreat and was once headed by the abbot Ajahn Saisamut, a noted Lao

Buddhist Teacher.

Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham

This impressive Wat is one of Luang Prabangs largest and most richly decorated Temple. Both its interior and exterior are extensively adorned with black and red lacquer decoration and gold leaf.

The Temple also known as Wat Mai ( New Temple ) was found around 1780 by King Anurutha of

the Luang Prabang Kingdom. Located next to the Royal Palace, the Wat Mai was the temple used by

 the Royal Family. It is one of the few temples that survived the destruction by Chinese  Invaders in 1887. Therefore Wat Mai became the new home of the Pra Bang Buddha image, the most highly

venerate Buddha image in Laos. It stayed there until halfway the 20th century when it was moved to its current location, the Royal Palace.

Wat Visounarath ( Wat Visoun )

Wat Visounarath is Luang Prabangs oldest operating temple and serves also as the city's Museum of religious Art. You can see religious Artefacts and previous items related to Buddhism and the Royal Family. The temple is the home to a selection of richly glided Buddha Statues and ancient stones dating back to the 15th century.

Another important and prominent feature of the Wat is its unique That Pathoum, or Stupa of the great Lotus, also known as Watermelon Stupa because of its rounded dome.

Wat Siphouttabath

This temple is located in the center of Luang Prabang and it's name signifies the temple of Buddha's footprint. The temple has many ornaments and drawings with Buddha themes and besides the temple you also can have a look at a school for Monks, which is attached to this temple.

It is also possible to climb up the Mount Phousi from this area.

Wat Pak Khan

This Wat is located at the very tip of the historical Peninsula in Luang Prabang and is one of the only temple that has not been renovated which gives it a certain fascination.

Therefore this temple has an Authenticity that other temples in the town may not

 pass.

Found in the mid 1700's by traders on the Mekong River, the temple has risen to importance in the cultural of the town. It is the home of the esteemed abbot Pha One Keo Sitthivong.

Wat That Noi

This temple and its garden are maybe the most beautiful one in Luang Prabang. It is the center of many festivities in honor of Buddha where the people meet frequently. It is one of the most sacred temple in Luang Prabang where many monks from other temples meet during Piimai ( Lao New

Year ). The temple contains dozens of Buddhas, it is one of the most active temples in Luang Prabang. The stupa of the Wat That is one of the most symbolic religious relics in the city.

Wat That Luang

Located behind the old stadium on the way to the Kuang Si Waterfall, That Luang was built on a knoll in 1818 by King Manthatourath. Before 1975 the Wat was used to hold funeral rites and cremate the country's highest dignitaries.

There are 2 large stupas on the ground. The golden funerary stupa in front of the Sim contains the

 ashes of the popular and last crowned Laotian King, Sisivangvong ( 1904 - 1959 ).

The Grand Stupa, which towers over the rear of the Sim, dates from 1818 and is said to contain relics

of  the Buddha. The Wat also contains a number of smaller Stupas that contains ashes of Kings, other members of the royal Family and a variety of other dignitaries.

Wat Khili

Wat Khili was built in 1773 by Chao Kham Sattha of Xieng Khouang. This explains why the temple

is the same style as those who found near the Plain of Jars, which makes Wat Khili unique amongst 

Prabangs Temples. Also known as the Temple of the golden Mountain the Temple is now home of the Buddhist Archives which preserves historical photographs and documents. The Archives are not

open to the Public but there is usually a special public Exhibition.

Tak Bath: The Monks call for collecting Alms

Luang Prabang Alms Giving Ceremony is a longstanding Traditional in Laos Buddhist Culture. It takes place daily as sunrises, beginning  at the main street  of Luang Prabang before spreading out to all the side streets. Around 200 Monks depart from the different temples in this UNESCO listed Town together their daily meal.

The Traditional of Alms gathering dates back to the 14th century. This daily Ceremony is both peaceful and spiritual and gives you a wonderful opportunity to experience an ancient Lao tradition.

Shoulders, Chests and legs must be covered in modest clothes as a mark of respect. You should also remain at a suitable distance from the monks. You can take pictures, but do so far from a distance and never use a camera flash. Don't talk to or touch the monks at any time, even when making an offering.

 It is also possible to join the monks at their daily chanting ( Praying for Buddha ), which usually takes place at 6:00 pm in every Temples in Luang Prabang.  

Ban Phanom Textiles

Ban Phanom is an artisan village near the Phon Phao Temple in Luang Prabang. The villagers practice traditional textile making to provide goods for sale at Luang Prabang's  markets. The woven products are made with cotton and silk materials, together with intertwined threads to produce a shimmering effect. 

Some of the families work from their own workshops with  the entire village operating as a co-operative supplying to manufactures in town. Prices are open to negotiation and very affordable, though you can still bargain for a lower deal. 

The village itself is rich in history and offers a fantastic insight into an ancient art that's still very much alive today. 

Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre 

Ock Pop Tok ( meaning " East meets West " in Lao ) was founded in the year 2000 by an English and a Laotian woman on the principles of fair trade and sustainable business practices. 

Set in lush tropical gardens and located on the bank of the Mekong, the Living Crafts Centre is the perfect place to learn more about the fascinating world of Lao textiles and handicrafts. You can join a 30 minute free tour where you will learn about Laos textiles from the silkworm to the finished product. It is also possible to be part of different Classes ( half day to 1-, 2-, or 3 - day classes ) or  just enjoy good food at the Silk Road Café which offers amazing views over the Mekong. 

  Xangkhong Village Making The Saa Paper

This village has been making the Saa Paper almost 20 years, which they peeled off the skin of Saa tree to dry and then do boiling in the hot water by big tank until it become melt and take out then beating it by the pestle to become the smaller pieces and put in the frame with decoration of flowers.