Luang Prabang: 20 Top Activities to Participate In

By Anna Purpurpurpur

Luang Prabang is one of the most harmonious and peaceful cities I’ve ever visited.

Nestled in picturesque mountains, the old town sits between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. The name ‘Luang Prabang’ refers to the Big Buddha, the Prabang, and the city has been a center of Buddhism for centuries.

Historically, Luang Prabang was known as Muang Sua in 698 and then as Xieng Thong from 1353. It served as the capital of the Lane Xang kingdom, known as ‘the Land of a Million Elephants,’ and prospered through trade along the Silk Route.

Luang Prabang remained the capital of the country until 1566 when the capital was moved south to Vientiane. It later regained its status as the capital under French rule in the 20th century.

According to a legend, Buddha was travelling around and when he had rest on this peninsula he smiled and predicted that it’ll become a prosperous city. I’m sure you’ll have many reasons to smile while you’re here too.

The city is unlike any other Southeast Asian city I’ve seen so far: it’s calm, peaceful, and not chaotic or hectic at all. French colonial architecture harmoniously blends with Lao religious and traditional styles, and it’s no surprise that the entire city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, with houses and temples well-preserved and maintained.

No buildings taller than two floors are allowed to be constructed. I lost count of how many Buddhist temples there are here; they line the streets as you walk through the city center (in reality, there are just over 30).

1. Pay a Visit to the Royal Palace / National Museum

Important: You cannot take cameras, mobile phones, or bags inside — use the lockers on-site. You also need to cover your knees and shoulders; you can rent a covering as I did for a small fee.

The Royal Palace was built in 1904 for King Sisavang Vong and his family when the French controlled the country. His son, Sisavang Vatthana, became the last king of Laos and met a tragic fate: in 1975, the Pathet Lao communists took control of the country after a civil war, forced the king to abdicate, and sent him to a re-education camp where he later died. The Royal Palace is now turned into the National Museum.

Visitors could arrive at the palace by river and be welcomed right there. Inside, you can see royal regalia, the throne, royal garments, gifts from other countries, and many artifacts related to the royal family. The main hall looks incredible, with mirrored colourful mosaics on the red walls (as I mentioned, you can’t take photos there).

Typically, you can watch the traditional performance of the Royal Ballet here; sadly, the theater is closed throughout June 2025 for refurbishment. The palace grounds are very beautiful, and you can feed the fish in the pond (fish food is sold nearby).

2. Pay Respects at Haw Pha Bang

Make sure you visit Haw Pha Bang, a gorgeous small temple near the entrance to the National Museum!

It houses the Buddha that gave the city its name, the Phrabang, the most important Buddha image in the country. This 83 cm-high statue, according to legend, was made in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in the 1st century AD and was gifted by the King of Khmer to the King of the Lan Xang kingdom in 1359.

The city was later named to honor this figure. However, it is most probable that this image dates to a much later period and was cast by the Khmers. In 2013, the statue was transferred here from the Lao National Museum in Vientiane, where it had been relocated by the communists.

Photography is not permitted inside.

3. Participate in the Alms Giving Ceremony

Arrive by 5:30 AM on Sisavangvong Road to participate in the Alms Giving ceremony.

Buddhist monks are not allowed to prepare food, so every morning in Luang Prabang, they silently collect alms from people on the streets in their tin baskets and later redistribute the food among themselves. This religious tradition benefits both the monks and the community, creating a connection between them.

Everyone can participate in this spiritual ceremony of ‘feeding the monks,’ also known as Tak Bat. The food given is usually sticky rice and sweets (you can buy it on-site). You simply wait on small chairs by the roadside until the monks come by to receive small portions of food. Don’t forget to dress respectfully, remove your shoes, and avoid touching or disturbing the monks with flash photography!

4. Climb Mount Phou Si

For sunset, plan to climb one of the most spectacular landmarks of Luang Prabang.

After 328 steps, you will reach the top of the sacred Mount Phou Si, which features a small temple and a golden stupa! The stupa was built in 1804, however the mountain on which it sits, according to a legend, was transferred here from Sri Lanka, former Ceylon, by Hanuman, the monkey king, from the Ramayana story (see more about it in my Cambodian blogs).

This religious site is located directly across from the Royal Palace, and you’ll need a ticket to access it.

The main attraction is the view from both sides of the peninsula formed by the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers: foggy mountains and tranquil flows of rivers incarnate the soul of Luang Prabang.

5. Explore Wat Xieng Thong

Wat Xieng Thong, dating back to the 16th century, is probably the largest temple in Luang Prabang. Its name means ‘Temple of the Golden City.’

Built in the 16th century, it served as a royal temple where kings were crowned. Many tourists visit to take photos — just remember to dress respectfully!

You can also see the funeral royal barge in one of the pavilions. The Sim of the temple (the most important building) houses a large Buddha statue and is adorned with beautiful ornaments.

This influential monastery features many shrines and is famous for its lavish decorations, colourful mosaics and printed images. This type of decoration, common in Lao temples, is called ‘stenciling’: a pre-cut stencil with a design is placed on a wall or ceiling, and paint is applied over it, ‘stamping’ the image onto the surface.

I previously mentioned the mosaics in the Royal Palace, where photography was not allowed. In Wat Xieng Thong, you can spot a similar decorative style, but photography is permitted.

6. Shop at Night Market

Sisavangvong Road, also known as Foreigners Street, is where the night market takes place daily from 5 PM.

The street framed with cafes and temples is quite a landmark by itself so you can come here exploring any time of the day!

In the evenings, the stretch of the street where the market is located is supposed to be pedestrianised, with the stalls unwrapping their products for sale, right on the pavements. However, the motorbikes still infiltrate it, so still be ready to jump away from them. And don’t forget to bargain even if you’re not good at it! Initial prices of may items are folds higher than they are supposed to be.

Come here to buy local jewelry, lanterns, textiles, paintings featuring traditional images, lao whisky, and many more. Make sure to spot one of the symbols of the country’s heritage, red masks of Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer representing men and women, respectively. They are worn during the Lao New Year festival, symbolizing grandfather and grandmother bringing good luck.

There’s also a small food market section further into the peninsula. We went there for the fresh fruits like rambutans and mangosteens, and these were one of the best I’ve ever tried!

7. Pop inside the Ock Pop Tok Weaving Centre

Laos is world-renowned for its textiles, especially silk and cotton, and at Ock Pop Tok weaving centre you can see local female artisans at work creating intricate pieces.

The Ock Pop Tok is a living crafts center established in 2000 by a British and a Laotian co-founders (that’s why its name means “East Meets West”), which makes it created by women and for women. You can learn about the process of thread-making and dyeing, and even try your hand during a workshop!

Once a small spot, it has now grown into a large enterprise with the Living Crafts Centre sitting on a picturesque shores of Mekong river and several shops (one of them is located right in the historical centre of Luang Prabang).

The Silk Road Café is another reason to visit this weaving centre: it’s a great place with a solid menu and incredible views over the Mekong!

If you’d like to explore more local crafts, consider checking out the villages around Luang Prabang to learn more about local paper-making and pottery-making as well.

8. Spot a place of the Temporary Bamboo Bridge

Historically, a bamboo bridge spanned the Nam Khan River at this site: it was used during the dry season and disassembled during the rainy season. It was one of the city’s important seasonal landmarks.

Sadly, we didn’t have a chance to see it assembled: rainy season in Luang Prabang falls on period from May to October, and we were visiting in June. Besides that, the embankment was undergoing reconstruction during our visit, and locals did not know when the bridge would return.

9. Learn at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) is a small museum in Luang Prabang where you can learn about the traditions, customs, and clothing of various ethnic groups of Laos.

Opened in 2006, the center has just a few rooms, but it is modern, well-made, and informative. I’d really recommend you to visit to visualise the diversity of Laos population!

It also features a shop, a café, and a family corner.

10. Pop inside the Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham

You won’t miss Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham — it’s a large and beautiful temple close to the night market and the Royal Palace.

Built in the 18th century, it functioned as a monastery — even its name translates to ‘New Monastery’! At one point, it served as the main temple for the royal family and even housed the Prabang for a short time. Night market is located right to the side of it.

11. See the boats of Wat Sensoukharam

Wat Sensoukharam, constructed in 1718, is also known as Wat Sen, or the Temple of 100,000 Treasures, due to the stones from the Mekong River.

Come here to admire the intricate red and gold restored designs of multiple buildings on the temple grounds, a later gold stupa, and a tall standing Buddha statue.

This temple is also home to many historical boats that once glided across the Mekong.

12….and pay a visit to other important temples of Luang Prabang

Don’t forget to explore more of Luang Prabang’s temples: it’s said there are over 30 of them, but it often feels like there are endless temples. I’ve only mentioned a few here. They might seem similar when you first see them all one by one but actually they are decorated differently and have different atmosphere. Make sure to spend some time in each and not just hop one after another!

Dating back to 1513, Wat Wisunarat is the oldest Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang: it was founded around 1512-1513 and rebuilt in 1896-1898. You can spot its prominent stupa from far away.

Wat Syrimoungkoun Xaiyaram dating to 1763 is a magnificent golden-gilded temple along the main road.

Wat Pa Phai, also known as the Monastery of the Bamboo Forest was established in 1815 however some believe that it was founded in 1645. It’s a tiny temple off the main road however it has beautiful murals and unbeatable peaceful vibe as not many tourists come here.

Wat Sop Sickharam is a small and tranquil temple nestled in the shade of frangipani trees. Visit it to admire the statues and patterns on the walls and the roof.

Finally, Wat Sibounheuang founded in 1749 is another tranquil and colourful temple you also might pass by in the very heart of Luang Prabang. One day we spotted monks preparing dry biscuits from the sticky rice they gathered earlier that morning.

Leaving Luang Prabang

13. Take a Mekong Cruise

One thing you’re sure not to miss about Luang Prabang is that it sits on a peninsula formed by two rivers, and Mekong is one of them. And if you’d like to enjoy the natural sights of this country, hop on a river cruise or rent a boat from one of the piers of the city.

We opted for a private ‘tiny’ boat and had the most memorable trip. Mountain peaks and mighty water flows combined will make your day special too!

The Mekong River, the third-largest river in Asia, flows through Laos, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its name can be translated as ‘mother river,’ reflecting the locals’ deep respect for it and the massive influence Mekong has on everyday life here, from providing food to changing daily routine from dry to rainy season.

The scenery was breathtaking — the mighty river is surrounded by mountains, with buffalos bathing on both sides and fishermen checking their nets. So peaceful and picturesque! It’s especially beautiful in the evening at sunset, provided you have good weather! Sadly, we didn’t see sunset because of the weather situation but we were not disappointed at all because there was a plethora of other sights to admire.

At one point, we encountered a thunderstorm, but our boat was sturdy, equipped with rain covers, and the sky cleared up quickly.

We also spotted a few elephants near the tourist elephant center, but we didn’t stop there (I presume they practice elephant riding there, as in some other places in Laos). Did you know that Laos was once known as the ‘Land of a Million Elephants’? Sadly, there aren’t nearly that many left after the Vietnam War.

14. Try Lao Whisky

Did you know that Laos is famous for its whisky? And it’s not a whisky you’re accustomed to: it has a special twist you’re not expecting to see!

It’s made from sticky rice and yeast, and you can visit one of the most famous producers, not far from Luang Prabang, at Ban Xang Hai. It’ll take you about an hour by boat or less than an hour by car (30-45 minutes depending on traffic).

The views there when you arrive by boat are spectacular! Traditionally, this area was known for paper-making, but it is now referred to as the Whisky Village. You can find both 50% and 15% liquors for sale (to be honest, I’m not sure why they are all considered whisky).

You’ll be explained the process of Lao whisky making and of course offered to try and buy some along some Lao traditional textiles or other souvenirs. And yes, the most popular among tourists are the bottles containing cobras, scorpions, centipedes, etc.

We were told that these are used as remedies for men to restore their masculine energy – well, personally we haven;’t tried it, let’s consider I have enough male power in me.

15. Visit Pak Ou Caves

Our most distant stop is about 2 hours away from Luang Prabang by boat, and it’s the Pak Ou Caves!

This complex consists of two impressive caves where locals keep Buddha statues: the lower cave contains the majority of older statues, with some dating back to the 16th century, while the upper cave houses newer statues (essentially, you can just visit the lower one if you wish). It is estimated that there are around 4,000 Buddha statues, most made of wood or moulded from resin.

Since the 16th century, the royal family of Laos has made pilgrimages to these caves as part of their New Year religious celebrations. Some were stoled by treasure seekers especially during the turbulent times of the 20th century but still thre are plenty of Buddhas to see!

It’s an impressive sight with the Ou River in the background, and we were lucky to visit it when it was almost empty — usually, it’s full of visitors.

16. Swim at Kuang Si Falls

We took a one-hour ride from Luang Prabang to the most famous natural wonder in the area, Kuang Si Falls. This tiered waterfall features numerous flat ‘pools’ where you can swim. The main section has a fall of 60 meters!

Prepare to spend at least two hours here, starting from the entrance where you buy tickets. First, you take a buggy, then enjoy a nice walk through the forest, past the Bear Conservation Center, and climb up to the falls (and then back down). There are several swimming areas and a café.

The water here is clear and turquoise, and you can see fish swimming freely, unbothered by bathers (they gently nibble at you when you stay still in the water — don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt!).

To explore the entire length of Kuang Si Falls, you must follow the trekking route up the mountain through the beautiful, tourist-friendly jungle. Everything here is clearly marked: swimming areas, non swimming areas, trails, cafes etc.

Our experience was absolutely mesmerising; the natural beauty is treated with respect here, and the tourist infrastructure maintains the wild vibe of the place. Don’t forget to bring swimming suits (the water is not too cold, maybe around 28 degrees?), towels, insect repellent, comfy shoes, and sunscreen!

17. Help Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre

Also, don’t miss the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre located close to the Kuang Si Falls. We had just seen the smallest bear, the Sun Bear, in Borneo, and right after that we visitedanother Asian bear, the Moon Bear!

It’s called that because of the whitish spot on its chest in the shape of a crescent moon. Moon bears are vulnerable due to deforestation and poaching, and here you can support them by donating money and learning the story of each bear.

There used to be a butterfly park nearby, but sadly it was closed during our visit. However, there are plenty of huge, colourful tropical butterflies flying around!

18. Milk a Buffalo at Laos Buffalo Dairy

We took a tour at the Buffalo Farm called Laos Buffalo Dairy, which included milking a buffalo, feeding rabbits, pigs, and buffalos again, and trying buffalo milk-based desserts and ice cream.

This farm was started by two Australians in 2017, who realised that no one was using buffalo milk in Laos to make yogurts or other dairy products, so they saw this as a business opportunity.

Here, they ‘rent’ pregnant buffalos from local villagers, vaccinate them, test them for diseases, and train them for milking. For a few weeks after the calf is born, all the milk goes to the baby buffalo, and then they collect milk once a day for themselves while the rest continues to go to the calf.

After the renting period, the buffalo return to their owners (potentially pregnant again), who are paid around 100 per buffalo, while the average salary in Laos is around 120 per month (so it’s a pretty good deal!). Plus, they return vaccinated and healthy.

And yes, their cheeses and desserts are amazing! If all you’ve tried from Buffalo milk is mozzarella, it’s time to broaden your horizons.

Attention: A rare moment of me trying to milk a buffalo named Lola!

19. Practice Café and Restaurant Hopping

Luang Prabang has so many cool cafés and restaurants! See some of my recommendations below.

Phan Boun

For instance, Phan Boun, meaning A lot of Merit as well as a reference to the owner’s parents, is located close to the night market and the National Museum. It offers amazing coconut banana desserts, mango sticky rice, and Lao coffee. On the ground floor you can also find a nice shop selling Lao tea.

Silk Road Café

I’ve already mentioned the Silk Road Café at the Ock Pop Tok centre: come here for a great location and great views!

Main Road

For more local specialties, visit the Main Road restaurant at the Avani+ hotel (from Anantara), just a few steps away from the night market.

Joma

Joma, a Canadian chain of coffee shops along the Mekong River, is a reliable spot you can find in Vientiane, Phnom Penh, and Luang Prabang.

Dada

At Dada, try the fruit shakes and local Lao coffee, which is roasted right on-site. The cafe is located just steps away from the Mekong river.

Viewpoint Café

For scenic views, head to the Viewpoint Café at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, located at the very end of the peninsula. Sadly, during our visit there was a construction going on, but fingers crossed it’ll be over once you visit.

Le Bistro Ban Vat Sene

You can also enjoy lunch at Le Bistro Ban Vat Sene, which serves mouthwatering dishes from both Lao and Western cuisines, and the interior there is very stylish.

Governor’s Grill

The Governor’s Grill was a restaurant at our hotel Sofitel, and we spent three of four dinners there.

Try here dishes from Lao cuisine or Western dishes with a Lao twist!

Manda de Laos

Finally, have lunch at Manda de Laos — would you guess that this is in Laos? Manda de Laos is one of the best restaurants in Luang Prabang, serving local Lao cuisine. Besides that, it’s incredibly beautiful — probably better than any restaurant I’ve seen in Thailand. Scenic lily ponds here are included in the UNESCO Heritage site list.

The family who owns the restaurant has lived on this property for three generations, which is reflected in the restaurant’s name; ‘Manda’ in the Laotian language means ‘mother.’

Come here to enjoy a set menu (which we chose) or à la carte dishes to experience the best of Lao cuisine—it’s better to book in advance!

20. Stay in a UNESCO Heritage Site

Have you ever stayed in a UNESCO site? Sofitel Luang Prabang is the smallest of all Sofitel properties, with only 25 rooms available. It occupies a former residence of a French governor dating back to the period of French rule over Laos, with a lotus pond, colonnaded courtyard of the rooms and a restaurant all located within the premises.

This site was converted into a hotel 15 years ago, in 2010, and underwent a complete restoration in 2015 to mark the 20th anniversary of Luang Prabang being declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

First we stayed in a stylish corner room with a private pool and a black-and-white design featuring a canopied bed adorned with traditional patterns blended with French influence. The private pool was fantastic.

We also had the chance to experience their amethyst-coloured mosaic pool before it closed for refurbishment.

After one night, we decided to treat ourselves by staying in the best room of the hotel, which features a private garden and an outdoor bathtub. I had this incredible outdoor garden with a terrace all to myself!

The food in the local restaurant Governor’s grill was delicious. and breakfast was also served there: it included a wonderful Lao omelette and Lao desserts from the à la carte menu, with a buffet option also available.