Cities We Love: Luang Prabang
When I traveled through Southeast Asia five years ago, I fell in love with a lot of cities and towns. But only a few charmed me so much that I walked around taking pictures of every other street corner, door frame, and cafe.
Luang Prabung was one of three cities I visited in Laos and certainly my favorite. What did I love about it?
The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which allows it to maintain much of its charm - colorful buildings line the streets where you’ll see even more colorful tuk tuks. The well-preserved architecture, narrow streets, and colonial buildings take you back in time instantly.
The French influence is strong here - you’ll stumble upon cafes and bakeries selling flaky croissants, sweet and savory crepes, and desserts. And I even found some great wine bars amidst the touristy shops and restaurants.
The vibe is relaxed. Quiet. You’ll find things move slowly here and hopefully it forces you to slow down too.
What to Do
Since the city is on the Mekong, you’ll find kayaking and other water activities available. And if you get a little outside of town, there’s hiking and opportunities for glamping on the river.
You’ll find temples all around the city much like you see in Chiang Mai (there are 32 in fact). Luang Prabang is the former royal capital of Laos so it’s no surprise that temples and former palaces dot the landscape.
But one of the unique things that happens every day in Luang Prabang is the Alms Giving Ceremony.
This daily ritual, usually taking place at dawn, involves the Buddhist monks walking barefoot through the streets collecting offerings from locals. Rather than gawking at the monks or trying to capture the best photo, be respectful and mindful of the tradition. Maintain a respectful distance from the monks, stay quiet, and observe. Resist the temptation to snap photos and selfies.
Wander the Night Market for street food and souvenir shopping or take a foodie tour with a local guide to check out the city’s hidden bars and restaurants.
Take a full day excursion to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls (truly stunning) followed by a visit to the Pak Ou Caves. You’ll cruise along the Mekong to reach the caves by boat.
Where to Stay
Stay in the historic center of town at one of the luxury boutique hotels such as Amantaka, Satri House, or 3 Nagas (which is actually home to three UNESCO World Heritage Buildings). These hotels are French colonial style villas and buildings, fitting in with the surrounding architecture. Many of these properties boast stunning views of the Mekong River or are nestled amidst lush tropical gardens, providing the perfect setting for a relaxing getaway.
Or stay just outside of town at the Rosewood Luang Prabang where you can immerse yourself in nature - the property includes a meandering river and waterfall and is situated within a hilltop forest. And our agency is part of the Rosewood Elite program, meaning extra benefits for our clients when they book with us.
Kuang Si Waterfalls
Traveling to Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is not necessarily an easy destination to get to - it’s best combined with other cities in Southeast Asia. To reach the city by air, the most frequent connections are from Bangkok (Thailand), Hanoi (Vietnam) and Siem Reap (Cambodia). Laos is ideal when combined with a trip to Cambodia or Northern Thailand as you can also enter the country by land. If you're thinking about taking a river cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia on the Mekong, add a few nights in Luang Prabang at the beginning or end of your trip. And you will need a visa when entering Laos - best to secure this before you depart, especially if planning to cross over on land as visas on arrival are no longer allowed..
Best time to travel to Luang Prabang is during the dry season (late October - April) when you’ll also experience cooler temperatures.
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