Fun Luang Prabang guide

Fun Luang Prabang guide

First you have to get to Laos. Then you can enjoy the incredible temples, the charm, shopping, and laid-back lifestyle, not to mention some fine Luang Prabang boutique hotels.

THERE IS a reason why Luang Prabang remains the town that time forgot. It’s bloody hard to get to. Snuggled deep in the treacherously undulating northwest of Laos it was, until fairly recently, served by just two alarming modes of travel. The first was Lao Airlines (www.laoairlines.com) – a carrier often blacklisted by the US Embassy, the UN, and other companies that prefer their employees whole. The second was a punishing ten-hour bus journey from the capital Vientiane, at the mercy of bandits and a million sharp turns. Yet the lure of gilded spires, saffron robes and cobblestones was strong, and still the travel pilgrims prevailed.

Things are different now. In 1998 a fancy modern airport was constructed two kilometres from town, and subsequently Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com), Thai Airways (www.thaiairways.com) and Vietnam Airlines (www.vietnamairlines.com) opened up the route with direct flights into Luang Prabang. Now the runway has been extended to accommodate larger jets from even farther afield. Lao Airlines still flies regularly and many like myself – pursuing this elusive Luang Prabang guide – still brave it without a hitch. The roads are still winding but they are mostly well kept, and banditry is less common. This may be because of the armed, alarming plain-clothes blokes you might find on board buses, but hey, that’s all part of the adventure. It is possible to book a VIP bus from Vientiane for around US$14. All buses run from Vientiane through Vang Vieng and range from the eight-hour air-conditioned VIP bus for US$14 (or US$11 if you are starting your trip in Vang Vieng) to a cheaper local option, which is a good three hours longer. Both come loaded with exuberant karaoke entertainment and include a stop-off for lunch.

LUANG PRABANG TRAVEL INFORMATION

Here you find selected travel information about Luang Prabang and Laos as well as some travel tips for the independent travaler.

Luang Prabang, the jewel on the Mekong, a protected UNESCO World Heritage site in the warm heart of Indochina invites visitors for a wide range of activities to explore. Take the time to read and review our independent travel information about Luang Prabang and Laos.

Luang Prabang guide online source

The best Luang Prabang City Map - Hobo Map

This is a small list of highlights which you can find in and around Luang Prabang information, Laos travel informationLuang Prabang (Luang Phabang). The selected sights and highlights can be combined in our day trips and offer individual experiences and a good way to explore the beautiful area around town. Luang Prabang offers more and more activities and sights to visit, here are just a few of them. Most things can be done by bike or with our adventure and city exploration tours. Also enjoy our videos which give visual information about Luang Prabang!





Luang Prabang information - royal palaceLuang Prabang town,
is surely a jewel in Indochina, and a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Once the capital of former kings and an important post along river trade lines it became a site of interest for visitors from all over the world. The ancient royal city is surrounded by misty mountains at the junction of the Mekong and the smaller Nam Khan river.

The center of town is located on a peninsula on an altitude of 300 meter above see level. Here we find ancient buildings, the royal palace, monasteries and temples. In the middle of the small city is Mount Phousi with stunning views of the surrounding temples and hills.

Luang Prabang is a provincial city where time still seems to stand still. As part of the UNESCO reconstruction plan, new buildings have been limited and old houses and streets receive reconstruction to keep Luang Prabang magical place...



Luang Prabang Kuang Si Waterfall

Following the road down south a magnificent waterfall offers a day of discovery and perfect place to hang out in the sun. The waterfall is about 30 km away from town and offers small food stalls as well as the protection project for small bears. An Luang Prabang guide information - Kuang Si waterfallAsian tiger is hold there within his huge open air cage. An amazing sight. Tuk-Tuks as well as normal cars offer services to and from the waterfalls as it is the most famous attraction out of town. Biking tours and trekking arrangements can be combined with the waterfall visit as well as multi-day tours with trekking and home stays. The perfect way to explore the Kuang Si waterfalls is on a 3 hour hike...read more on this tour idea.

Another tour that includes the Kuang Si waterfalls can be viewed here. It combines a short Mekong Cruise on the Mekong and adds the waterfall experience to it, a great day activitiy out of Luang Prabang. Enjoy a Luang Prabang Daytrip and combine a Mekong Tour, Bike Tour and Kuang Si Waterfalls.





Elephant Village - Elephant Luang Prabang

Since Luang Prabang was once the capital of the “land of the thousand Elephants” (Lane Xang) another tour and visitor highlight has come to Luang Prabang. The private project with former logging Elephants offers wonderful nature rides, Elephant walks and other Elephant interaction activity packages combined with protected Elephants. A visit to the Tad Sae waterfall is always in reach as it is just a 10 minute boat ride up the river. Nature Trails and activity options are offered within the project - see also our tour offers for Elephant tours in Luang Prabang



Luang Prabang - tad Sae waterfall
Tad Sae Waterfall


Crystal clear waters cascade over multilevel limestone formations, forming pools surrounded by tropical trees and plants. An ideal place for swimming and relaxing and also a great place to get away from the crowd. The nearby river and the lush green surrounding is just another beautiful place around town that cannot be reached by road. You might use a boat from Ban En or book one of the day trips that might include Trekking and Elephant rides. Our Lao Spirit Resort is just 15 min. away from the waterfalls.

Traditional Arts and Ethnology centre, Luang Prabang



Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center

You are interested in the ethnic cultures of Laos?
Than visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center, which features information and exhibits of clothing, handicrafts, baskets and religious artifacts from 7 different ethnic groups of northern Laos.  The Center has a museum shop where you can buy a community handicraft and the Patio Cafe where you can browse books on anthropology and culture while sipping an espresso grown in Laos. Guided tours and seminars are also available. Also visit for more information the TAEC website.

Wat Pa Phon Phao

A forest temple famous for the teachings of Ajahn Saisamut. When he died in 1992, his funeral was the largest that Laos had seen in decades.

It’s Santi Chedi (Peace Pagoda) was built in 1988. This large yellow stupa contains three inside levels plus an outside terrace   with a view of the surrounding plains. The inside walls are painted with many Buddhist stories and moral admonitions. You can easily reach this temple with a bike or tuk-tuk. It is on the way to the Luang Phabang Airport .

Ban Panom Weaving Village

This village, populated by Thai Lue (a tribe with its origins in Southern China), is well known for cotton and silk hand-weaving. Most of the women come into town for the popular evening market in town, but at daytime you can see them waeving with silk and cotton. Beautiful scarves and newer patterns can be seen in Ban Panom.

Henry Mouhot Gravesite

Grave of Henry Mouhot - French explorer in Luang Prabang - Laos This is the tomb of the French explorer who showed the famous Angkor Wat to the world. Henry Mouhot perished of malaria in 1861, and the French erected a tomb over his grave six years later. The last entry in his journal was ‘Have pity on me, oh my God’. Neglected for decades, his engraved tomb was found by foreign aid staff in 1990. Today it is a nice half day trip along the riverbank of the Nam Khan and mountain bike tours as well as kayakers pass by for a short stop while exploring Luang Prabang nature. Tiger Trail also combines this site with some other adventure package tours around Luang Prabang

Whisky Village near Luang Prabang

Ban Xang Hai means jar-maker village. At one time that was the industry here. Now the jars are brought in, and the small community fills them with the white whisky (Lao Lao) made in the village. Archeologists have excavated pots beneath the village that could be 2000 or more years old. If you want to try some of the finest and strongest Lao Lao shots you should go there not to early in the morning.



Pak Ou Caves north of Luang Prabang, on the Mekong

This is an all time favorite,...travel by boat about 25 km upstream from Luang Prabang on the Mekong River to the famous Pak Ou caves, in a limestone cliff at the mouth of the Nam Ou River. Already the boat ride on the mekong is an experience and the landscape around the cave is unique as well. These two caves are crammed with a huge number of Buddha images of all styles and sizes. Both caves are accessed by stairs.The lower cave, known as Tham Ting, is naturally lit. The upper cave, Tham Phum, is deeper, - bring a torch or rent one there.

Luang Prabang - view from Phousi Mountain over world heritage town Best mountain view from Luang Prabang

Mount Phousi and Wat That Chom Sii
situated 150m and 300 steps up above the peninsula with spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside. Even the climb might be tiring, the view is certainly worth the sweat. Looking out into the country side you can see great mountains, the Mekong river and the great location of the former kings residence. You can also see the old Royal Palace, now the Museum, the old houses and surrounding villages. The temple has a gold spired stupa that can be seen from most parts of the city.
It is surely the most favorite sunset spot but also worth seeing in the early morning - with less people.