Monday, December 2, 2024

18 Superb Issues to Do in Luang Prabang, Laos (& Helpful Ideas)

[ad_1]

This put up might include affilliate hyperlinks. It implies that in the event you purchase one thing by one among these hyperlinks, we would get a small fee at no further price to you. Affiliate fee helps us maintain this journey weblog working.

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 here are 18 wonderful issues you are able to do in Luang Prabang.

Issues it is advisable 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 ceaselessly requested questions in regards to the metropolis.

Easy methods to get to Luang Prabang?

Some of the necessary questions is tips on how to get to Luang Prabang. The best manner of getting there may be by airplane. You’ll be able to fly there straight from Bangkok, Chiang Might and Hanoi (maybe, just a few different places as nicely, however not as ceaselessly). For those who’re flying to Vientiane first, you can too take a pace prepare, which takes round 4 hours; nevertheless, shopping for tickets is considerably problematic, as there isn’t a manner to purchase the tickets on-line, and the gross sales solely open 2 days earlier than the journey date. You can too take an in a single day bus from Hanoi or Vientiane. You can too get there by ferry, nevertheless it would possibly take a few days! 

Test the costs and availability of flights to Luang Prabang right here >

Is Luang Prabang secure?

For those who’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. In fact, I’ve a perspective or a vacationer – somebody, who spent lower than per week in Luang Prabang, however the one crime I’ve heard of there was the motorcycle theft rip-off, the place the folks, who you lease the bike from, discover the bike and steal it from the road after which ask you to pay them a full worth of the “stolen bike”. Thus, I solely suggest renting bikes from trusted firms with many optimistic critiques.

Is Luang Prabang costly? How costly is Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang will be each very inexpensive and fairly costly. It’s an idyllic city, so there are just a few ultra-luxurious inns like Belmond, Rosewood and AMAN. Odd resorts are additionally not too low cost; you possibly can put together to pay £120-130 per evening. Nevertheless, if you wish to keep on a funds, there are many very low cost hostels round. 

Meals could be very low cost in Luang Prabang – you possibly can eat nicely for lower than £10 per day for 3 meals. For those who eat road meals, you possibly can maybe survive with simply £5 a day.

Excursions and excursions may also be fairly inexpensive until you purchase them from inns and tour companies. The most affordable option to do sightseeing is by both renting a motorcycle (you will get a pleasant one for lower than $5 a day) or hiring a taxi and sharing it with a number of folks. Taxi drivers cost $20-30 for a visit to the waterfalls & some landmarks on the best way, so in the event you break up it between 4 folks, that’s simply $5-$7 per individual. 

General, Luang Prabang was some of the inexpensive locations we have now visited in the previous couple of 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, all the pieces is inexpensive, the surroundings is wonderful, and the web is nice. Nevertheless, in the event you’re coming as a vacationer, what number of days can 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 might say that possibly 4-5 days can be even higher. 

For those who don’t have an excessive amount of time, then 2 days would even be okay. Nevertheless, these 2 days must 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 beautiful river views. Nevertheless, the situation wasn’t the very best as a result of each time we would have liked 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 beautiful Bamboo bridge, however the Previous French Bridge that appeared prefer it was on the snapping point, with lacking wood planks and nails protruding all over the place. In contrast to the Bamboo bridge, this bridge was very excessive within the air, and any fall would have been deadly. 

As an alternative, I like to recommend staying on the following locations:

Luxurious resorts: If cash shouldn’t be an issue, these resorts can 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. For those who can solely do one factor, that may be the factor I like to recommend doing in Laos. There are many cruise choices – from some actually fancy cruises that embody a 3-course dinner to some quite simple boats. You don’t have to ebook upfront, simply head to Khem Khong Road, and lots of boat homeowners’ll strategy you. We discovered a flyer promoting a sundown cruise for $5.5 per individual from Svan Mekong Cruises (that’s the spelling) in one of many companies (I feel you should purchase 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 pretty – it had bean baggage and cosy seats, and we may additionally purchase beers and wine there (for an additional payment, nevertheless it was very inexpensive as nicely). 

It will get fairly chilly at evening, particularly in December/January, however we had been provided blankets, which was very considerate and wonderful. 

For those who’re fascinated by a dinner cruise, you possibly can examine this cruise on-line right here.

Stroll the Unesco Heritage protected a part of Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang turned a UNESCO world heritage web site in 1994, and that was completely deserved – Luang Prabang could be very fairly. Top-of-the-line issues you are able to do in Luang Prabang is to put on snug footwear and for for a stroll or a motorcycle experience across the Previous City – there are many stunning streets!

Go to the evening market on Sisavangvong Highway

Sisavangvong Highway is essentially the most well-known, busy and fashionable road 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 aimed toward vacationers, nevertheless it’s a must-visit attraction anyway.

Strive native road meals 

Proper in the beginning of the Evening Market, there’s a everlasting road meals market in Luang Prabang. Most stalls open round 6pm and are in full swing by 7pm and 8pm. Nevertheless, in the event you come later, at 9pm or 10pm, you’ll nonetheless be capable to discover some open stalls at this market.

Road meals in Laos could be very distinctive – you possibly can both attempt 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 aspect of the market (subsequent to the large display). The most well-liked dish in Laos is Laap – a meat or fish salad, which is scrumptious however very spicy. Really, 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 numerous spicy meals and other people snacking on chillies. 

If you’re bored with spicy meals, take into account asking for a soup. Soups in Laos are typically not spicy! 

Go to the Kuang Si waterfall

One of many predominant points of interest of Luang Prabang is positioned outdoors the town, circa 45 minutes away. You’ll be able to both get there by motorcycle, purchase a tour or rent a taxi that can watch for you there for 3-4 hours for $20 for a day. Alternatively, you will get there by boat in the event you purchase a tour (that mixes Kuang Si Waterfalls and Pak Ou caves, for instance) – you possibly can ebook a tour on-line right here.

Entrance to Kuang Si prices round $2.5 per individual, and you may 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 beautiful & very genuine. For those who’re hungry, don’t fear, there will likely be numerous meals choices within the village proper on the entrance to the waterfall. 

General, in the event you’re not planning to swim, you possibly can go to the waterfall and the village in about 45 minutes to 1 hour. On this case, in the event you employed a taxi, similar to we did, you can too ask your taxi driver to cease on the buffalo farm or on the rice farm proper outdoors Luang Prabang. 

Experience a motorcycle

One other of the 15+ wonderful issues to do in Luang Prabang is driving a motorcycle. For those who’ve by no means pushed one earlier than, take into account taking the teachings. You can too rent an electrical motorcycle that’s not so quick & harmful. It’s actually enjoyable to drive round Luang Prabang on a motorcycle, and also you’ll be capable to entry numerous 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 12 months and will get rebuilt yearly because it will get destroyed as soon as the water ranges rise. It is advisable to pay 10,000 kips ($0.6) per individual to cross the bridge, nevertheless it’s value it. For those who’re visiting outdoors the wet season, it is best to undoubtedly attempt to cross it at the very least as soon as! 

2 weeks in Vietnam and Laos itinerary

Go to the Buffalo farm

A few the expats opened a buffalo farm outdoors Luang Prabang just a few years in the past, and ever because it turned an attraction. You’ll be able to come to the farm to attempt just a few cheeses made from buffalo milk and buffalo ice cream. You can too take a tour across the farm (I feel it prices round $10 per individual) and study extra in regards to the farm and even feed child buffalos from a bottle. 

Learn to harvest rice at Dwelling Lang Farm

One other thrilling factor to do in Luang Prabang is go to a rice farm positioned simply outdoors Luang Prabang, close to the Pullman Lodge. You’ll be able to even stroll there from the city centre. It’s referred to as Dwelling Land Farm. You’ll be able to take part in planting and harvesting rice and, on the whole, study extra about rising rice and the significance of rice in Laos. You’ll be able to study extra on their web site right here.

Go to the MandaLao elephant sanctuary

You can too go to the MandaLao elephant sanctuary, the place you possibly can have a non-riding expertise (trek subsequent to them) with elephants, study extra about elephants in Laos and assist elephant conservation. You’ll be able to study 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 – positioned proper within the coronary heart of the town; this mountain has a lovely temple on the highest of it. There are many stairs to climb. Nevertheless, the views from there are nicely value it. The ticket to enter the higher a part of Mount Phou Si prices circa $1 per individual. 

Have a therapeutic massage

For those who really feel harassed or simply need to chill out, 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! In fact, there are luxurious therapeutic massage parlours as nicely, so you’ve loads of choices for any funds.

See essentially the most stunning temples in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang has so many beautiful temples, monasteries and stupas. Probably the most stunning is undoubtedly Haw Pha Bang, positioned 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 not possible 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 can be the morning market, the place yow will discover numerous native produce & groceries. It opens each day at 5am and closes at 10am. You’ll find it subsequent to the Ananta Villa Lodge. 

Observe the Alm Giving ceremony with the Buddhist monks

For those who’re an early chook and also you want to observe a really distinctive, stunning ceremony that is essential to locals, head to the Previous City round 5:30am. It’s a ceremony the place native Buddhists provide alms (do-it-yourself sticky rice) to the monks. Nevertheless, until you’re a Buddhist, you shouldn’t take part. As an alternative, you possibly can quietly observe the ceremony. You can too take photographs (with out a flash), however be sure you’re not in the best way and never obstructing anybody.

Pak Ou Caves

Pak Ou Caves are sometimes visited as a part of a tour. It’s a major web site for locals, particularly Buddhists, and they’re completely filled with hundreds of Buddha pictures. Guests typically mix Pak Ou Caves with Kuang Si Waterfalls, e.g. this tour visits each landmarks! 

Go trekking

For those who’re into sports activities and would take pleasure in one thing that features shifting and delightful sceneries, then it is best to undoubtedly go trekking outdoors Luang Prabang! You’ll be able to 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 take pleasure in trekking in such beautiful surroundings.

Go to the Pottery village

Lastly, you can too go to the pottery village positioned in Ban Chan, very near Luang Prabang (simply on the opposite aspect of Mekong river), the place you possibly can take part in a pottery workshop and also have a eating expertise. If that feels like one thing you’d take pleasure in, you possibly can study extra and ebook a tour right here.

Abstract of 18 wonderful issues to do in Luang Prabang

I hope that on this article, you discovered some fascinating locations that you simply want to go to in Luang Prabang. In fact, there are extra issues to do within the city and its environment, however I may solely write in regards to the issues we loved essentially the most / or heard from associates that they had been wonderful and undoubtedly value doing or visiting. 

Another articles you would possibly like:

7-day itinerary for Vietnam: from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis to Hanoi

7-day itinerary for Japan

2 days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

5 days in Sri Lanka by automotive

[ad_2]

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles