Location: Luang Prabang
Top Things to do in Luang Prabang
What to do and see in Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the former capital of Laos, and you'll see everything from golden-roofed temples to vestiges of colonial French architecture here. Buddhist monasteries abound in Luang Prabang, and early every morning, monks process through the streets collecting alms (their food for the day). If you want to watch or participate, though, ask your hotel for a brief etiquette lesson first—you have to distribute the food in a specific manner.
Restaurants in Luang Prabang
1. Old Quarter Luang Prabang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,466 reviews
Reviewed By Travelling_SE_Asia - St. Albans, United Kingdom
A UNESCO Heritage Site, the Old Quarter in Luang Prabang is a network of old French Colonial architecture, buildings, narrow alleyways and roads. The main road is Sisavangvong Road where the Night Market is, but you can go off the main road to walk around or just have a stroll and see more. Next to the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River, the main area is where the Nam Khan River joins the Mekong River. It’s a beautiful area and you should take your time exploring it. There are lots of tourists but they keep the main road free of litter for the most part.
2. Wat Tam Xieng
3. Alms Giving Ceremony
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4,377 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Everyday, at sunrise, saffron-robed bare feet monks and novices emerge on the streets of Luang Prabang's "Old Quarter" with their alms bowls. This is an important tradition in Laos' Buddhist culture and is locally known as "Sai Bat" - the "Morning Alms Ceremony", when local devotees (and tourists) offer food (normally sticky rice) to them, as their main daily meal. Their procession can be watched from many different points such as the "Sisavangvong" and "Sakkarin" roads, as well as from near the "Royal Palace Museum", the" Wat Xieng Thong Temple" and the "Luang Prabang Primary School". Step aside and, in complete silence and respect, watch them pass. Please do not even try to talk to or touch them. Selfies are totally tacky and unwelcome at this special and humble Buddhist ceremony. And remember, the "Morning Alms Ceremony" takes place everyday from 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM (from March to October) and from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM (from November to February). It is quite fast, so wake up early and rush, otherwise you may miss it. Enjoy!
4. French Cultural Center
5. Wat Sop Sickharam Luang Prabang
6. Wat Chomphet
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By Lakshmi_Huttada - Pune, India
Wat Chompet is a small singular temple that stand on top of a hillock across the river Mekong. I took the ferry to reach the village across the river and from there walked along the river towards Wat Chompet where I crossed small market stalls, went past the village houses and greeted the locals as I walked along for about a kilometer when I reached the base of the hillock. Local families there charge 10,000 kip per person and the kids around demand "Money tips", although I didn't indulge them. I climbed about 80 steps to see the top. The views of the river Mekong and the other side of the city was beautiful.
7. Vat Visounarath
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This is probably the oldest and still active temple in Luang Prabang! Almost unbelievable! "Wat Visounnarath" was built around 1512 by King Visounnarath, according to the characteristics of the early Lao religious architecture, generally referred to as "Luang Prabang Classic Style". Once, the holy and most venerated "Phra Bang Buddha" image was kept here, but now it can be seen at the nearby "Royal Palace Museum". Visit the temple, its ordination and donations halls, the ancient images and steles, the monks' homes, the drum tower and other structures. Still on its grounds, the beautiful "That Pathoume" (the "Stupa of the Great Lotus"), also known, due to its shape, as "That Mak Mo" (the "Stupa of the Watermelon"). It is a quite impressive stupa and, stylistically, looks more like Srilankalese than Lao. What makes sense, since the dominant Buddhism current in Laos is the "Theravada Buddhism", or the "School of the Elders", which was brought from Sri Lanka to Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. The stupa was recently white painted and looks quite attractive. And remember, the "Wat Aham" temple is just a few steps away and you can easily combine both visits. Enjoy!
8. Bamboo Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,050 reviews
Reviewed By AnneDickie - Wimborne Minster, United Kingdom
There are two bamboo bridges across the river, our favourite being the bridge at the tip of the peninsular close to our hotel, The Mekong Riverview. This was our third visit to LP and the first time this particular bridge was actually standing in November. Usually the river would have been too high, but lack of rains meant it was still up and running. The other side of the river is worlds away from the touristy side of town and lovely for a stroll along peaceful streets. The views along the Nam Khan are simply stunning.
9. Wat Pa Huak
10. Wat Manorom
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By Ragu88 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
This temple is quite big and one of the major Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang and it does sit monastery within the temple. Go during evening prayer and it's really peaceful and felt very calm. There are few drawings and story crafted at the wall of the temple. Very beautiful and Majestic!
