Luang Prabang (Lao: ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ, pronounced Loo-ang pah-bang and also spelled Louangphrabang) is the former capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage city.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Set at the confluence of two rivers that almost surround the town, and beneath a temple-topped hill, Luang Prabang is a wonderful patchwork of traditional Lao wooden houses and hints of European architecture, reminders of when Laos was part of the French colony of Indochina. Golden-roofed wats (temples), decorated with mosaics and murals of the life of Buddha, sit under the gaze of wrap-around teak balconies and 19th-century shuttered windows. All of this is set against a backdrop of verdant greenery and rugged mountains. Luang Prabang is a relatively small city with an atmospheric and charming personality.
Luang Prabang's Old Town is only about 1.5 km long and 500 m wide, which makes it small enough to comfortably cover on foot, and this is in fact the only way to climb Phousi Hill. The city is also quite flat, which makes cycling an attractive option, although the ever-increasing traffic makes this dangerous at times. For longer trips, your options are basically negotiating with open-air tuk-tuks, or arranging a tour package with your hotel or a travel agent, which will likely see you crammed into one of the ubiquitous silver Toyota minivans. (Large buses and trucks are both banned in the old town.) Prices for both are always per person unless you explicitly negotiate a charter.
1 Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre, Ban Saylom (on the banks of the Mekong 2 km south of the city), ☏ +856 71 212 597. An informative free tour to all visitors (last tour at 16:30). Operating as a fair trade traditional weaving centre, you can take classes in bamboo/textile weaving, dye your own silk, draw your own batik or just relax at the Mekong garden cafe. A free tuk-tuk departs daily from the Ock Pop Tok shop in the city at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00, with other times possible by agreement. 2 Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, Ban Khamyong, ☏ +856 71 253 364, information@taeclaos.org. This small, but perfectly formed museum is dedicated to the ethnic cultures of Laos.
1 Big Brother Mouse (off the main street, down a side street next to 3 Nagas Restaurant). 09:00-11:00 & 17:00-19:00 daily. A worthwhile organisation devoted to encouraging literacy in young adults and children. Depending on sponsorship and volunteers, it welcomes tourists to help with English conversation and reading practice. You can just hang out and chat with locals about whatever you like. They publish and distribute books in Lao and English. Consider buying some books to take as gifts to village children if you travel through Laos. They have another branch in Vientiane. Two, 2 hour conversation sessions per day.
There are no multi-national fast food outlets in Luang Prabang. Restaurants line Sisavangvong Rd and the roads along the Mekong and Nam Khan. Food runs the gamut from standard SE Asian backpacker fare to more traditional Lao dishes, including buffalo sausage right up to very high quality French cuisine. There are also numerous market stalls for cheaper food, including baguettes, crepes, and pancakes. Typical prices for Beerlao is 45,000 kip for a large bottle and 35,000 kip for a small, which generally are standard throughout the country. Most riverside places offer the same prices for beer and similar food, although prices for food can vary wildly.
There are a number of places to drink around Luang Prabang, though the late-night club scene is pretty much nonexistent. The liveliest and busiest bars are in a small cluster between Mt Phousi and the Nam Khong. Luang Prabang's status means that curfews are strictly enforced here. Bars start winding down at 23:00 and close at 23:30 sharp. The only late-night options permitted are outside the main part of town, a discothèque patronised mostly by locals and bizarrely, a ten pin bowling alley. If you do plan on staying out after hours, check the arrangements with your guesthouse first to avoid being locked out. If you're simply looking to relax and enjoy the river views, most riverside restaura…
Scooter accidents are common amongst tourists in Luang Prabang. Do not rent a scooter here if you are not experienced. The road to the Kuang Si falls is especially dangerous due to the deep pot-holes filled with loose material, sand on the road, and speeding drivers of tourist vans. Even if you're used to motorcycling in flat areas, remember that bikes with automatic transmissions can often stall out or freeze up when trying to deal with some of the more extreme hills in Luang Prabang's environs. 3 Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital, ☏ +85671254027. 24/7.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Luang Prabang typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 29 rainy days.
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