10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Luang Prabang Province That You Shouldn't Miss

January 2, 2022 Flossie Demartino

Discover the best top things to do in Luang Prabang Province, Laos including Viewpoint Nong Khiaw/Ban Sop Houn, Laos Buffalo Dairy, Wat Xiengthong, Kuang Si Falls, Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, Luang Prabang Library, The Morning Market, 100 Waterfalls, Wat Xieng Mouane, UXO Lao Visitors Centre.
Restaurants in Luang Prabang Province

1. Viewpoint Nong Khiaw/Ban Sop Houn

Wat Ban Sop Houn 50 50 meters after the Temple Ban Sop Houn, Nong Khiaw Laos
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 308 reviews

Viewpoint Nong Khiaw/Ban Sop Houn

Reviewed By ianx17489 - Inverurie, United Kingdom

This was a really rewarding viewpoint to climb up to. We're both early sixty's and found the climb hard but very doable.. (our mistake was to set off for the climb at about noon when the sun was building up...., however that said there is plenty of shade on the way up). The climb took us almost 1.5 hour, easy pace. Younger fitter people would get up in under an hour. It's a very good path that is maintained very well by the family operating it. We met the son on the way up as he was repairing sections and he was so passionate about maintaining the path. Full credit to him on what he has achieved. There are ropes at some of the tricky parts, which are very useful. As usual, water, sunscreen and mosquitoe repellant recommended... The view from the top is quite stunning and definitely worth all the effort. 360" views. Great photo opportunities. The operators are building a small covered shelter at the top so that apart from shade people can camp up there at night to capture sunrise at no extra charge. In summary a very worthwhile climb, rewarding and best done very early in the morning to catch sunrise and "avoid the afternoon heat"....

2. Laos Buffalo Dairy

Ban Muang Khay, Luang Prabang 0600 Laos +856 20 52 302 475 [email protected] http://www.laosbuffalodairy.com
Excellent
82%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 300 reviews

Laos Buffalo Dairy

Reviewed By wee_lassy_eats_world - Panama, null

About 5-10 mins from the falls, this was an unexpected 45 minute detour to our itinerary. The enterprise is set up to support local farmers make more money by renting their buffalo to them (only 50% survive at birth). They then work to vaccinate and cross breed to make them stronger whilst paying the farmers rent until their return. All the money they make is from the buffalo cheese (which they sell to hotels, restaurants, etc) donations and very yummy ice cream. They have pigs, ducks, rabbits, etc which you're welcome to feed. You can also milk and bathe the buffalo (which they love!). Very gentle creatures who love a good cuddle and seem very happy and content in their home. Well worth the visit if you have time (a very reasonable 50k kip for the tour)

3. Wat Xiengthong

Khem Khong Old Quarter, Luang Prabang 0600 Laos +856 71 212 487 https://tourismluangprabang.org/things-to-do/buddhism/wat-xiengthong-2/
Excellent
58%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,268 reviews

Wat Xiengthong

Laos' most enchanting temple was built in 1560.

Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In the ancient city of Xien Thong (literally, "The Golden City"), almost at the junction of rivers Mekong and Nam Kham, King Setthathirath ordered, in 1559, the construction of a temple. It was named "Wat Xien Thong", the "Temple of the Golden City". King Setthathirath probably never imagined this would become the city's most beautiful temple, and even maybe of the whole Laos - the "Land of a Million Elephants". Later on, the city of Xien Thong was renamed to Luang Prabang, meaning "The Place of Buddha" and "Wat Xien Thong" became the royal temple, where kings were crowned and holy relics were kept. The temple was built according to the early Lao architecture features, normally referred to as "Luang Prabang Classic Style", with roofs that sweep low to the ground. Just amazing! Visit the temple, its central shrine (the holy "Sim"), side chapels, pavillions, residences and gardens. And before leaving, near its East Gate, do not dare to miss "The Royal Funerary Chapel", where the "Royal Funerary Carriage" and the "Royal Family Funerary Urns" are housed. Unmissable! Enjoy!

4. Kuang Si Falls

Luang Prabang 06000 Laos
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11,068 reviews

Kuang Si Falls

Reviewed By itskathyhere

If you're in Luang Prabang, you can't miss this site. This is the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen, and you can climb up to the top of the waterfall, and take a short bamboo raft ride to the source of the waterfall (it's an underground cave). The only thing to note is near the top of the waterfall, there are signs for a cave, which we followed for a while. I think it's about a 2 mile hike to the cave, which is further than we anticipated, and we decided to turnaround half way through since we didn't have the time to keep exploring. If you're tight for time, enjoy your time at the waterfall and don't get distracted by the cave signs!

5. Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

Ban Khamyong, Luang Prabang 06000 Laos +856 71 253 364 [email protected] http://www.taeclaos.org/
Excellent
51%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 859 reviews

Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

Opened in 2007, TAEC is a museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions about the diverse ethnic groups of Laos. Permanent Exhibitions highlight the Akha, Kmhmu, Tai Dam, and Hmong ethnic minorities. Interactive and immersive, TAEC's newest special exhibition, "Voices of the Wind: Traditional Instruments in Laos" features wind instruments and their role in communication, ritual, and courtship. Through recreations of a Hmong instrument-maker's workshop, a Tai Dam healing ceremony, and interactive video kiosks, visitors can enter a world rarely seen by the general public. The adjacent TAEC Museum Shop features fair trade handicrafts from 12 provinces of Laos supporting over 600 ethnic artisans from all over Laos. Approximately 50% of the price of the products goes back to our village producers. TAEC also boasts a kids activity centre, ethnobotanical garden, and patio cafe with cold refreshments making the museum a perfect destination for children and adults.

Reviewed By marylouisemarino - Washington, United States

If you're curious about the ethnic diversity and cultural heritage in Laos, the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center is the place to go. Their free tour is very informative, their displays are engaging and beautifully curated, their staff always welcoming and their shop is enticing. I have visited TAEC numerous times on my trips to Luang Prabang to ethically source textile accessories and home accents and they are wonderful partners to work with.

6. Luang Prabang Library

Sisavangvong Road, Luang Prabang 0600 Laos +856 71 254 813
Excellent
47%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 214 reviews

Luang Prabang Library

Reviewed By Cartertravels15 - Alton, United Kingdom

So pleased we went to the library.Its a way of saying thank you to the local children.When the wall hanging is full (I think a 100 books) it is given to the local schools.I chose the books and my husband put them in the wall hanging pockets and we sent a picture to our grandchildren saying how lucky they were to have so many books in England.The building is an old colonial building and the staff very pleasant.We were told that sometimes monks go in there and love to practice their English.we would definitely visit here again

7. The Morning Market

Alleys between Main St. (Sisavangvong Rd.) and Mekong River Old Quarter, Luang Prabang 0600 Laos +856 71 212 487 https://www.luangprabang-laos.com/The-morning-market
Excellent
44%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 355 reviews

The Morning Market

Reviewed By OrderintheHouse

My wife and I enjoyed a short 5 day Wendy Wu “Laos in Focus” private tour in January 2020 as part of an 18 day Asian adventure to celebrate our 40th anniversary. The tour incorporated three nights and two full days in Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Luang Prabang Province in northern Laos. Heralding in our second day in this charming city was our participation in the moving and humbling Takbat Buddhist Monk Alms Ceremony very early at sunrise. This was followed by a most enjoyable one hour stroll through the renowned Morning Market located right in the heart of old Luang Prabang, on the lanes surrounding Wat Mai, just off Sisavangvong Road. It was also just a short walk from our historic boutique hotel (the Victoria Xiengthong Palace) where we enjoyed a well earned later breakfast after the market visit, before embarking on our Mekong River Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves. The Morning Market is a ‘must do’ when in Luang Prabang. There is so much local colour and excitement and a chance to mix it with the locals as they go about buying their daily fresh food produce. The various vendors go to much trouble to attractively present their various food items for sale and they all seem happy and friendly as they go about their trading. Most choose to set up on the ground rather than utilising tables. This makes for an easy and efficient means to set up and then pack up afterwards. Notable exceptions were a butcher that used tables to display the meat cuts and a few vendors selling tourist handicrafts that found tables easier to display their wares. The food produce on offer was many and plentiful and included rice, fresh vegetables and herbs and fresh fish and meat including pork and poultry all without refrigeration which was a bit disconcerting to western tourists like us who are not accustomed to such marketing practices. There were also a range of live animals for sale. Then there were the novel local foods such as serpents, frogs, rats, bats, live beetles, and various grilled insects for sale that revolted us, even though we had to accept that this is very much part of the Lao cultural scene. Because this is a morning market there are quite a number of vendors selling interesting “street food” breakfast snacks. We did notice a number of tourists giving this local food a try; however we, being more conservative travellers and conscious of potential health risks, chose to not partake of what looked like very delightful local fare. Adding much colour to the market were the beautiful fresh flower arrangements especially made for leaving in the temples as offerings. Some vendors included these amongst their fresh vegetables as added extras. We were happy just soaking up the atmosphere created by this very Lao food marketing experience; enjoying the friendly interactions between vendors and local buyers; being fascinated by the unusual items on offer for sale and capturing lovely photographic images to remember the experience.

8. 100 Waterfalls

Nong Khiaw Laos http://Laos-adventures.com
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 108 reviews

100 Waterfalls

Reviewed By CeciliaTe - London, United Kingdom

We booked the 100 waterfalls day trip with Mr Mang's agency Nong Khiaw Adventure Tours. The landscape and tour were great and we totally recommend it, but it had a completely unethical component which undermined the whole experience: we were taken to a village nearby, we were shown the school while kids were in class. We were encouraged to interact with the kids. Fellow travellers filmed them and photographed them. We will never book anything with Mr Mang again. We were very glad we didn't book the mini van to depart from Nong Khiaw via the agency when we booked the tour. In Luang Prabang we found that people are rightly so campaigning against this. Go to the 100 waterfalls but Please don't book with this agency. We'd take it back if we could.

9. Wat Xieng Mouane

Sakkarinroad, Luang Prabang 0600 Laos http://www.luangprabang-laos.com/Wat-Xieng-Mouane
Excellent
45%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 206 reviews

Wat Xieng Mouane

Reviewed By milliesmum2016 - Christchurch, New Zealand

This Wat is just beautiful. It has the most fabulous intricate mosaic work all backed with laquer red. It's really startlingly striking and well worth prioritizing on your Luang Prabang to-do list. The applied arts are lovely and varied. There are many beautiful fresco type wall paintings, depected sacred themes and even the columns are elaborately painted with gold on black or red backgrounds. These places really are fabulous and quite apart from their obvious religious significance, they are power houses of style and design excellence.

10. UXO Lao Visitors Centre

Phothisan Road Behind the Chao Anouvoung Monument, Luang Prabang 0600 Laos +856 71 260 906 http://legaciesofwar.org
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 782 reviews

UXO Lao Visitors Centre

Reviewed By crichtonh

This tiny museum exhibits the effect on the bombing during the vietnam war, It's sobering indeed to hear the stories of the kids that are impacted and also you are able to enjoy a little video that shows this and an overall introduction. The museum sets everything out there in English with only the correct level of information and shows good examples of missiles plus cluster bombs. The employees are helpful and friendly They've air con and it's entry by donation. Only three others there when I visited. Interesting and recommended. fifteen minutes stroll from visitors centre behind the president's park.

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