If you want to know important things to do in Luang Prabang, then it is important to know about the place. Luang Prabang, the ancient town of Laos is being designated by UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 and is currently a tourist destination. The economic bubble of the region is worth commendable and the region is a premier destination of Southeast Asia. Tourists will certainly love the cultural habitat, food and other aspects of the place it has been holding since ages.
Historically, Luang Prabang was the ancient royal capital of Lan Xang Kingdom, however, later King Photisarat moved the administration to Vientiane in 1545. The place is located on the banks of the Mekong River and Nam Khan. Over the last 20 years, the Luang Prabhang has witnessed good development as an investment has been flooding in and French Villas have been raised. This has certainly attracted tourists for stay and explores the region. Boutique hotels and luxury accommodation have come up offering better option for stay. The entire town is dedicated for tourism and it still remains the centre for Buddhist learning.
Luang Prabang is blessed with some iconic architecture buildings, cascading waterfalls and Mekong River. This certainly attracts tourists to this location. There are many things to do in Luang Prabang and tourists have a great number of choices. However, people here still follow reserved culture and follow old customs. When it comes to things to do in Luang Prabang, there are many sightseeing to watch including Wat Xieng Thong, Phu Si, Royal Palace and a few others.
Best Time to explore:
Luang Prabang can be visited ideally on November- February when the climate is pleasant and winter. If you don't mind downpour, then June-October is also a great time to explore when lush green surrounding strive.
So plan your trip to Luang Prabang to explore the ancient Buddhist culture and pleasant locations.
The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (or the TAEC) is more than merely a museum and a boutique of fine handicrafts. Located at the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, Lao, PDR, TAEC has been the single independent resource centre that is dedicated to the country's diverse and multiple ethnic groups. Established back in 2006, the TAEC preserves, collects and interprets the traditional arts and the lifestyles of the ethnic groups. This Centre has further expanded to include the growing collection of ethnic minority artefacts, a library, and TAEC Cafe for the special events. Back in July 2014, the TAEC opened TAEC Boutique, the stand-alone shop that featured the finest hand-crafted items from the minority artisans. In Luang Prabang the visit to the TAEC is justified and a must do. One can extend the visit for a cup of coffee and delicious French pastry at the Le Patio Café and stop by Museum’s Shop for purchasing their fair-trade handicrafts. |
The Vientiane night market (‘Night Market’, the ‘Night Market Riverside’, or the ‘Riverside Market’) is basically a makeshift outdoor market, which disappears and reappears every night, along banks of River Mekong River, in vicinity of park Chao Anouvong. This night market reflects a reddish shade due to bulbs illuminating hundreds of positions in the market of theRed awnings. Though the night market is aimed mostly for tourists, the local population also joins the night market. The Luang Prabang Night Market perhaps has most extensive collection of handicrafts, with wide range of textiles, carvings, clothing, quilts, basketry, and much more. There are stalls selling mobile accessories and also other gadgets related to music and kind. The only thing which isn’t sold is food; however, there are a chain of restaurants on the other side of that street. The night market has always been a good place for buying souvenirs of Vientiane or for other souvenirs. The night market Opens every day at 18:00 to 22:00, 20:00. |
Luang Prabang is blessed with some dense forest and hilly landscape offering good outdoor activity options. The location is also celebrated as UNESCO Word Heritage Site and three ethnic tribes have made their home in the surrounding mountains. From cascading waterfalls to sanctuaries, there are many options to explore. As a part of outdoor activities, you can spend the day at one of the many spas and treat yourself to a traditional massage.
There are many adventure activities to get involved into:
Trekking:
This is the must do adventure activity in Luang Prabang. Spectacular waterfalls and wildlife areas offer great option for trekking and other adventure activities. There are companies that offer and one of the popular agents is Green Discovery who offer treks from one day to several days including Luang Prabang to Ban Nong Touk.
Bowling Alley:
Though it may not be an outdoor activity, but the Bowling Alley is really fun. You can find this at some of the pubs and lounge where loud Asian pop music, local whisky and Beer Lao are as popular. You will find this in the outskirts of the city and you can arrange for the transportation in advancement and fixing right fare.
Golfing:
If you want to indulge into elite game, then Golfing is the best options that can be enjoyed with backdrop of the Mekong River and dramatic mountains. The golf club has 18-hole course on a par 72 green situated 10 minutes by car from the centre of town. The location is at Ban Houiphai in Khet Sangkhalok.
Cycling:
Mountain biking is a must in this region as you will be going through some hilly areas. One day trip is conducted by some cycling tour companies.
Kayaking and Rafting:
This is yet another adventure location done at the Ban Huay Lo Khmu village. Green Discover Laos and Vietlong Travel offer Kayaking trip at the Nam Xeuang River and Nam Khan River.
From adventure activities to exploring the Buddhist regions, there are many things to do in Luang Prabang. Some of the best things to do are:
Water sports are the major activity in Luang Prabang. There are some rivers to perform these activities. Some of the best places for water adventure in Luang Prabang are-
These places offer the best Kayaking experiences.
Kayaking is the most exciting and adventurous activity to do in Luang Prabang. There are various water adventure companies that undertake this activity. You will be accompanied from your accommodation place and offer all the assistance if doing it for the first time. If you want to do the kayaking activity in Luang Prabang then you have options like:
You will be provided with all the safety products during the kayaking water activity. The starting price for the Kayaking activity is Rs 2900/- to Rs 3500/-
Luang Prabang is blessed with mountains and trails offering good options for trekking. Whether you are doing it for the first time or experienced, trekking is the great experience. During trekking you will pass through some beautiful locations of villages and mountains. You can go for 2 days of Pha Theung Jungle trekking during which you will pass through great jungle landscape offers a great opportunity to gain a true insight into the rural life and landscape. Trekking in Ban Chomphet will take you to rural area along the mighty Mekong river.
Khmu and Hmong are another best trekking option for adventure lovers. Don't miss the Nong Kiaow and Muang Ngoi which are two difficult trekking options. Throughout the trek you'll come across the ethnic villages. Trekking to Pha Pon is another good option to get the view of Golden mountain range. Some adventure companies also undertake one day Kuang Si trekking that offers some realising sights.
The price of the trekking depends on the number of day the activities take place. The price range from Rs 2000/- to Rs 7000/-.
Cruise tour is one of the things to do in Luang Prabang during which you will enjoy view of some mountains and sea. Mekong Cruise is one of the leading cruise services that will take your various landscapes of the region. You can book for 2 days and 1 night. During this tour, you will pass through Huay Xai, Laos Village and Pakbeng. You will be also offered with lunch and dinner.
Shompoo Cruise is yet another company that specialized in Mekong river cruises. It has three traditional slow-boats. The 2 day cruise tour will take you through Houay Xay, traveling downstream to Luang Prabang, or from Luang Prabang, cruising upstream to Houay Xay.
Elephant safari is the most interesting activity to do in Luang Prabang. Elephant Village is the leading company and sanctuary that conducts the safari. During the safari, you will enjoy some thrilling activities including inside the deep forest and bathing your elephant in Nam Khan river. During the safari, you can learn how to control and feed your elephant.
Take a trek through the diverse jungle landscape and experience the breathtaking Nam Khan river and mountains in the backdrop. If you are taking up the half day elephant safari then the price will be around Rs 4000/- per person.
You can go for options like Half Day tour, 3 day tour, 2 day tour and 1 day tour.
Luang Prabang tribal village safari takes you through the home of ethnic minorities including Yuan, Hmong and Khmu. It is a one day trip will give a glance of the tribal village. The safari trip will start from Luang Prabang and passes through Ban Hath Hient, Ban Na Tan, Ban Long Lan, Ban San Xang Khong and back to Luang Prabang. Green Discovery Laos is one such company that undertakes tribal village safari tour.
Some of the tribal village are:
Each of these villages is known for their age old customs and fashion which are still prevalent. Villagers of these tribal areas have perfected the craft over centuries, passing through generation. You can even learn about the traditional medicine practices at Hmong Village.