Looking for things to do in Luang Prabang? In the tropical and cozy town of Luang Prabang you can enjoy beautiful waterfalls, great views, stroll around on lively markets and visit peaceful temples in the city.
There are many things to both see and do in Luang Prabang and below you have some inspiration for your next trip.
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Hike up to Mount Phousi
If you’re in good health, I can recommend you to hike up to Mount Phousi. Up there you have an amazing 360 degree view of the city and the surrounding areas.
The mountain stretches 150 meters above the city and is a popular spot among locals and tourists to watch the sunset.
To get to the top you need to climb up a number of steps, but fortunately, there are several places along the way where you can rest.
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Visit Wat Phra Mahathat & Wat Hosian
The Wat Mahathat & Wat Hosian temples are located right next to each other and are two temples that you have to visit during your stay in the city.
Both temples have amazing details that are engraved and painted on the walls. It is also a place where you can see the monks sing and meditate together, which is a really cool sight.
When it comes to things to do in Luang Prabang, it’s a must to visit these temples!
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Experience the Alms Giving Ceremony
The Buddhist Alms Giving Ceremony is one of the most sacred traditions in Laos where the locals give the monks gifts. They provide the monks with rice, fruit and other types of food.
It is a tradition they have every morning to gather food for the monks’ daily meal. The ceremony takes place every morning at sunrise on Sisavangvong street.
If you decide to be a part of this ceremony, it’s important to show respect towards the monks and the locals.
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Go to Kuang Si Falls
Kuang Si Falls is one of the world’s most beautiful and well-known waterfalls. It is the largest waterfall in Luang Prabang and is 50 meters high.
From pool to pool, the water pours down creating more than one waterfall. You can go up to the top of the waterfall where you can swim in one of the natural pools and enjoy the view.
This is no doubt one of the best things to do in Luang Prabang if you like to swim and be out in nature.
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Visit Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park
The tropical forests that surrounds Kuang Si Falls attract a number of beautiful butterflies. Around 300 meters from the entrance to Kuang Si Falls you will find the butterfly park where you can see colorful butterflies.
It costs around 30,000 KIP for adults and 15,000 KIP for children to enter. In addition to seeing beautiful butterflies, you can also learn more about the different species and stroll around the beautiful garden.
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Stroll around at the night market
When in Luang Prabang, I can recommend you to stroll around at the daily night market. Here you can shop both clothing, souvenirs, handicrafts, paintings, and delicious street food.
At this market they have a big selection of food, both meats on skewers and buffets with vegetarian food where you can fill up a plate for 10,000 KIP.
It’s a place where tourists and locals meet to eat, shop, and socialize!
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Go swimming at Tad Sae Waterfall
Tad Sae Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls outside the city. It is not as popular as Kuang Si Falls, but is still worth a visit.
It’s a nice place with beautiful limestone formations and turquoise water where you can go swimming. It’s only accessible by boat via the Nam Khan river, which makes it a little bit less touristy.
NOTE: Elephant riding is common here which is something I do not recommend you to support. If you ride on elephants you support animal cruelty and torture the humans put these beautiful animals through.
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Visit Wat Xieng Thong
One of the most popular temples to visit in the city is Wat Xieng Thong. It’s a temple that was previously used as a royal temple where they crowned the kings of Laos.
The temple has many beautiful details of mosaic, wood carvings, and gold that you can have a look at. Right next to the temple they also have a funeral wagon where they have the remains of the last king
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Wake up early and go to the morning market
The morning market in Luang Prabang is a place where the local people go shopping for food. From 8 o’clock in the morning it’s a lively place where you can see some weird products that the locals shop.
You can also shop more regular products like fresh fruis and vegetables that are really good and flavorful.
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Go on a boat tour
Luang Prabang is located next to the Mekong River and if you have time I can recommend going on a boat tour to see the city from a different angle.
When cruising on the river you’ll see several local villages and fisherman catching their food for the day.
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Visit the Royal Palace Museum
The Royal Palace Museum is located in the middle of a beautiful garden next to the main street in Luang Prabang. You can easily spend 2 hours in this museum to learn more about Laos history and culture, as well as checking out cool artifacts.
In this museum you also have the opportunity to see how the royalties used to live. It’s a museum that’s beautiful on both the inside and outside.
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Take a cooking class
One of the best things to do in Luang Prabang is to take a cooking class to learn how to make some of the local dishes.
It’s a lovely experience where you can bring your skills back home and cook these delicious dishes at home. It’s no doubt one of the best things to do in Luang Prabang if you enjoy cooking food.
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Things to do in Luang Prabang with kids
If you’re traveling with your kids I can tell you that there’s several things to do in Luang Prabang with children. You can go swimming in beautiful waterfalls, stroll around at markets, go on exciting boat tours and visit the various temples in the city.
- Hike up to Mount Phousi
- Visit the temples
- Stroll around at the markets
- Go swimming in Kuang Si Falls and see the butterflies in Kuang Si Butterfly Park
- Go on a boat tour
Things to do in Luang Prabang when it rains
If you have bad luck with the weather during your vacation in Laos, do not worry, there’s plenty of things to do in Luang Prabang when it rains. You can spoil yourself at the spa, visit various museums, and take a cooking class to learn to cook local dishes.
- Visit the Royal Palace Museum
- Take a cooking class
- Go to the spa
- Visit the UXO Visitor’s Centre
- Buy an umbrella and explore the city in the rain
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Do you have more tips on things to do in Luang Prabang? Leave a comment below!
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