Are you planning a two or three-day trip to Luang Prabang? In this travel guide, you can find ideas about what you can do and see in this beautiful city in Laos.
Once the royal capital of Laos, Luang Prabang has a rich history reflected in its architecture and cultural traditions. The city’s many temples are some of the most impressive in Southeast Asia, with intricate carvings, gold-leafed Buddha statues, and serene gardens.
The city is the perfect destination for both backpackers and families. Backpackers will love the affordable accommodation options and the delicious street food, and there are plenty of cultural sites and natural attractions to explore on foot or by bike.
Families will feel safe and welcome here and in all of Laos. There are many different activities for everyone, like visiting temples and museums, taking a boat trip down the Mekong River, or exploring an Elephant rescue center.
With the construction of the new railway connecting Kunming to Vientiane, it is now even easier to get to Luang Prabang and maybe continue your trip to or from Yunnan (here is my guide and here are a few Yunnan Itinerary ideas).
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang?
Luang Prabang has something to offer all year round, but the best time to visit is from November to March, during the dry season. The weather is nice and dry, which is perfect for activities such as hiking, cycling, and river cruises. Remember that this is peak tourist season so prices may be high, and there will be more tourists. The sky in March can be hazy due to the farmers burning their fields.
If you want to save money and avoid crowds, consider visiting between April and June or September to October. The weather is still warm and sunny, but you’ll have a better chance of finding lower prices, fewer people, and some rain.
During the rainy season, the rainforest and waterfalls come to life, and there are fewer tourists, making it easier to find accommodations and activities. Still, some tours may be limited due to weather conditions.
How to get there
Luang Prabang is one of the two cities in Laos with an airport (the other is Vientiane, the capital). If you are entering Laos on foot from Thailand or China, you can take the new train that connects Vientiane to Boten, passing through Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang (don’t forget to check my travel guide to Vang Vieng).
I don’t recommend getting to Luang Prabang via minibus unless there is no other option available: the roads are pretty bad, and the journey can take several (very uncomfortable) hours.
How to get around the city
Besides the new train, public transportation is not a thing in Laos, especially inside cities. Taxis are also nonexistent, but to be honest, the historic center of Luang Prabang is relatively small, and if your accommodation is located nearby, you can walk everywhere.
If you want to explore the surrounding area, then your best option would be to rent a scooter. If you can’t do that, you can hire a tuk-tuk driver, but it will be expensive.
If you rent a scooter, my advice is NEVER to leave your passport as a deposit and take several pictures of the scooter when the shop hands you the keys. Scams in Southeast Asia are common, and scamming tourists by making them pay for non-existent damages on the scooter seems to be the most common.
Where to stay in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is an excellent destination for people with a limited budget. You can find hostels or guest houses right in the old town. You can check both Booking.com and Trip.com. Remember that you shouldn’t stay too far from the old town due to the lack of public transportation.
I wanted to try something unique and stayed at the Luang Say Residence. Let me put it this way: it’s not a cheap hotel, BUT this property is unique. The Luang Say Residence is an iconic 5-star French colonial resort featuring 32 luxury suites and includes a swimming pool, a library, an 1861 bar, and a fine dining restaurant.
The resort is a bit further away from the old town, but they offer a free shuttle service to and from the city center that runs every hour.
Luang Prabang 2 days itinerary
Two days should be enough to explore most of the city, but you can stay longer to relax. Luang Prabang is an excellent city in Southeast Asia to immerse yourself in without the crazy traffic of Bangkok or Hanoi.
Alms-Giving Ceremony
You can start the first day by waking early to see the alms-giving ceremony. Remember that the time might slightly change depending on the season, but it should be around 5:30 in the morning.
I have mixed feelings about this ceremony. On the one hand, it is an ancient and nice tradition involving monks who walk along the city streets, collecting alms (usually food) from the locals.
The truth is that it has become very touristy, with backpackers taking the place of local people and Chinese tourists doing everything that they are not supposed to do to take a few pictures (like getting close to the monks, getting in their way, talking loudly, and so on). But it is what it is. If you are in Luang Prabang, you shouldn’t miss this experience.
Morning Market
Right after the alms-giving ceremony, you can walk to the morning market, tucked away in a small alley next to the Royal Palace. It starts very early, just after sunrise, and it’s the kind of place where daily life in Luang Prabang really comes alive.
The market is busy with both tourists and locals, but the earlier you go, the more authentic it feels. You’ll see people carrying baskets of fresh herbs, sticky rice, and seasonal fruit, while others sell cuts of meat, fish straight from the Mekong, and vegetables you might not even recognize. It’s not a staged attraction; it’s simply where people come to buy their food for the day.
What I enjoy most about visiting markets like this is the sense of discovery. Even after living in Asia for many years, I still come across ingredients or snacks that I’ve never seen before. For me, spending some time here always adds a layer of understanding to the culture, much more than just walking through the tourist streets.
Don’t forget to try the coconut mini-pancakes. They are cheap and delicious.
Discover the temples
With over 30 temples scattered around the old town, you’ll have plenty to explore on your first day in Luang Prabang. You’ll have to pay a small fee to access some of these temples.
Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, also called Wat Mai or Wat May, is a Buddhist temple built at the turn of the 18th century. It is the largest temple in Luang Prabang.
In style inspired by another Wat in Vientiane, the temple has one of the most beautiful colored roofs in the Thai style, similar to that of Wat Sene.
It was built in 1718 by King Kitsarath with (allegedly) 100.000 stones from the Mekong River.
This is another small temple located in the old town and is quite lovely. It’s worth stopping by to take a few pictures.
Renovated in 2006 after being partially destroyed by a fire, it’s one of the newest temples. It’s mainly made up of a large colonial building.
Built in 1763 during the reign of Chao Jotika, Wat Syrimoungkoun Xaiyaram is located near the more famous Wat Xieng Thong.
It won’t take much time to visit this tiny temple, but it’s quite photogenic, thanks to its lush vegetation.
Another lovely temple, Wat Sibounheuang, covers a mysterious ‘hole’ traditionally associated with ghosts.
I couldn’t find much info about this temple. It looked half abandoned when I visited it.
Built between 1559 and 1560 by King Setthathirath, Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most important ones in Laos.
After visiting many temples, you might want to rest in your hotel or one of the many coffee shops along the Mekong River. Avoiding the hottest time of the day is also a good idea.
When the temperatures cool down, you might want to keep exploring some of the back alleys of Luang Prabang and then slowly head to Phousi Hill.
Hike Phousi Hill or Mount Phu Si
As you arrive in Luang Prabang, you’ll see Mount Phu Si standing tall and overlooking the old town. It rises 100m from the peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers converge. Considered the city’s heart spiritually and geographically, this UNESCO-protected site is steeped in ancient legend. It is said that a powerful aga, a deity in Buddhist and Hindu belief with a part-human, part-serpent form, was once called the mountain home.
At the peak of Mount Phousi, you can enjoy a panoramic 360-degree view of Luang Prabang and the tranquil valley below. Also, you’ll have to pay a small fee in this case.
Luang Prabang Night Market
As soon as the sun begins to set, you’ll see both locals and tourists heading toward Sisavangvong Road, the main street in the historic center. Every evening, this is where the night market comes to life, one of the most anticipated events in Luang Prabang. Stalls stretch for hundreds of meters and offer just about everything: from local handicrafts such as textiles, scarves, and wooden objects to the usual souvenirs aimed at travelers.
But the most interesting part, at least for me, is the food section. Here you can taste traditional Laotian dishes prepared on the spot. Prices are very affordable, which allows you to try several things without spending too much.
The night market is crowded, but it doesn’t lose its charm. I recommend taking it slow, strolling among the stalls, and maybe stopping to chat with the vendors: many are local families who make their living from selling these products. It’s the perfect place to soak up the evening atmosphere of the city and take home an authentic memory of Luang Prabang.
The first section of the road is where you’ll find all the stalls selling street food.
If you feel tired after a day of exploring, head to one of the many massage centers along the main road. Most are small, family-run places and very affordable: a one-hour traditional Lao or Thai-style massage costs around 10$. If you prefer something lighter, you can also get a foot or oil massage for a few dollars more. Quality varies, but even the simplest shops are a great way to relax after a long day, and chances are you’ll want to go more than once during your stay.
Kuang Si Waterfall
You can start the second day by visiting the Kuang Si Waterfall. The best way to do it is by renting a scooter the day before so that you can start driving around 7:00 am and arrive at the waterfall around 8:00 am, right when the park opens, and there are no people. If you don’t feel comfortable driving for so long, this is the best solution.
Inside the waterfall park, you can visit the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, dedicated to saving moon bears. More than 100 bears have been rescued in Laos. There are six bear houses at the new sanctuary, and they are planning (and fundraising) for more in preparation for additional rescues, growing cubs, and bile farm closures.
It’s great that people worldwide are raising awareness about saving endangered wildlife, even in poorer countries where this is usually more difficult.
You can visit the Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden on the way back to Luang Prabang.
Explore the countryside and join one of the many day or half-day tours
You can spend part of the second day driving around the countryside and exploring some of the villages to get interesting pictures. For example, I encountered this beautiful temple on my way to the waterfall.
One of the most common day or half-day tours you can join is a visit to one of the elephant rescue centers. They’re easy to book, as you’ll find plenty of agencies along the main road in Luang Prabang advertising them. If you decide to go, make sure to choose a center that does not allow riding and instead focuses on rehabilitation and ethical interactions, so your visit truly supports the well-being of the animals.
Finally, consider booking a cruise along the Mekong River at sunset. It’s one of the most relaxing ways to end your day in Luang Prabang. The boats are usually simple wooden ones, and you can choose between a basic ride or a slightly more comfortable option that includes drinks or a small dinner on board. From the river, you’ll get a different perspective of the town, with temples, palm trees, and small villages passing by. It’s a quiet experience, far removed from the busy night market, and a reminder of how important the Mekong is for the life of this region.
Luang Prabang is also the starting point to reach a small village that is becoming increasingly popular: Nong Khiaw. Check out my travel guide to see if going there is worth it.
Final considerations
Thanks to its laid-back vibe and beautiful architecture, Luang Prabang has quickly become one of my favorite cities in Southeast Asia. You won’t see high-rise buildings here, and traffic is minimal since there aren’t many cars around, which makes walking or cycling through the streets an absolute pleasure.
The town still retains its colonial charm mixed with traditional Lao wooden houses, giving it a very unique atmosphere. The view of the Mekong River at sunset is fantastic, and I’m sure you’ll want to spend a few extra days just chilling out in one of the many coffee shops scattered through the historic district, watching life go by at a slow pace.
As always, I recommend getting an eSIM and Travel Insurance before leaving for your trip.
Here are some more pictures I took in Laos.
