Luang Prabang Sights and POI

There is so much to see in Luang Prabang, and luckily, you can reach most of the city’s sites on foot. Grab a map and a bottle of water so you can venture out to the varied attractions of the city.

Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – so even walking around the city, meandering in downtown from a restaurant to a souvenir shop and from one wat to another wat, is already highly rewarding.

Temples in Luang Prabang

First and foremost, Luang Prabang is well known for its spiritual appeal. There is a huge community of monks and dozens of golden temples all throughout the city. Despite it being a touristy destination, the city still keep its splendour and spirituality intact for everybody to see.

The ancient temples are ornate, some lined with golden ceilings, and there are 33 of them to be exact. You will see lots of monks wearing bright orange robes walking around the city at all hours of the day. Don’t be afraid to talk to them, as many are eager to practice their English with the tourists. You can even watch their alms ceremony early every morning, where they acquire donations from locals and visitors alike.

With so many temples (wats) to choose from, it can be hard to decide which to visit. All of them are architectural marvels in their own right, but Wat Xieng Thong is particularly beautiful (also called Golden Tree Monastery). It’s an important gathering place for annual celebrations, and despite many renovations, the original temple was created in 1560 and still sits today in its original style. Inside there is a rare statue of a reclining black Buddha, one of the most unique depictions of the Buddha in the entire world.

Boat rides along the Mekong River

Luang Prabang also sits on a river, so if you would like to take a boat ride down the Mekong (or over to the other side to check out some of the small neighbouring villages) you are able to do so.

Combining nature and history, Luang Prabang has a very historic holy site called the Pak Ou Caves. Over 4,000 Buddha statues sit within an enclave in a limestone cliff. They are a bit of a trek from the city (two hours by boat) so if you want to see one of the most spiritual destinations in the country, this is a must.

Waterfalls around Luang Prabang

In addition to the river, the city also has many gorgeous waterfalls and caves to look at and explore. Kuang Si Waterfall is the biggest in the Luang Prabang area. Its three tiers lead into a beautiful, crystal clear blue pool under a 50-meter drop. Another great waterfall to check out is Tad Sae.

Weaving village

If you do decide to get out of the city for a bit, Ban Phanom is a near-by village where most families work in textile making. These villagers used to make clothing for the royal family, and to this day they still use the same techniques and patterns. Here you can watch them making textiles, but you can also choose to buy some if you’d like. It’s only a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride away from the city centre and shouldn’t cost more than LAK100,000 (USD12) for a ride.

Luang Prabang from above

One of the best sights in Luang Prabang is definitely Mount Phou Si. 300 steps lead to the top where you are rewarded with a spectacular panorama of the city. It is highly recommended, so no excuse for missing this one out!

Royal Palace Museum

Another great destination for architecture lovers, history buffs, and museum fans is the Royal Palace Museum. It used to be the home of King Sisavangvong, built in 1904. Many of the apartments have been preserved pristinely and you can even see objects from the past royal families. Here you will also learn about Lao history and culture.