By rail
Luang Prabang station, the Laos–China railway from Vientiane, ~2 h
Southeast Asia · Laos
Luang Prabang, Laos
Monks at dawn and temples on the Mekong
Getting there
By air
Luang Prabang International (LPQ), ~4 km
Best time to visit
November to March — dry and cool
Don't miss
Wat Xieng Thong
Mount Phousi
The Royal Palace Museum
Kuang Si Falls
Things to do
The morning alms-giving (watched respectfully, from a distance)
Kuang Si Falls
A Mekong sunset cruise
The night market
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Shelly Zohar · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Clothing covering shoulders and knees, a light jacket
A quieter corner
The bamboo bridge over the Nam Khan, rebuilt each dry season
Questions travellers ask
Can I watch the alms-giving in Luang Prabang?
Yes, the morning alms-giving can be watched, respectfully and from a distance. Wear clothing covering shoulders and knees.
Is there a train to Luang Prabang?
Yes, the Laos–China railway runs from Vientiane in about 2 hours. You can also fly into Luang Prabang International (LPQ), about 4 km away.
When should I go to Luang Prabang, and what should I pack?
November to March, when it's dry and cool. Pack a light jacket.
What should I eat in Luang Prabang?
Khao soi Lao, crispy river weed (khai paen), and the night market's buffet stalls.
About Luang Prabang
- Riverside
- Hills
Where it is
Luang Prabang lies in the mountains of northern Laos on a narrow peninsula where the Nam Khan river flows into the Mekong, with Mount Phousi rising in the middle of the old town.
History
Luang Prabang was the first capital of the kingdom of Lan Xang, founded by Fa Ngum in 1353, and takes its name from the Phra Bang, a revered Buddha image. The capital moved to Vientiane in the 16th century, but the town remained a royal seat until the Lao monarchy ended in 1975, and its blend of temples and French colonial buildings became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
People
Luang Prabang's people are mainly Lao, with Khmu and Hmong communities from the surrounding hills, and Lao is the main language. Dozens of monasteries house novice monks, and crafts such as silk weaving, paper made from mulberry bark and silverwork are practised in nearby villages.
Known for
- Wat Xieng Thong's sweeping roofs
- The monks' morning alms round
- Kuang Si Falls' turquoise pools
- Sunset from Mount Phousi
- The night market
Did you know?
Lao New Year, Pi Mai, in mid-April, can last more than a week in Luang Prabang, with water-splashing and sand stupas built in the temple grounds.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.