Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang…Timeless
Go for more on your visit to Luang Prabang. The UNESCO World Heritage City oozes with history, and cultural and natural sites and activities that lure you to stay longer.
Kuang Prabang tourism Things to do

History: History comes alive in Luang Prabang. Archaeological evidence suggests that Luang Prabang has been inhabited since 8,000 BC. King Fa Ngum founded the first Lao kingdom, Lane Xang, in the 14th century, after he conquered and unified today’s Xieng Khouang Province, Khorat Plateau, and Luang Prabang...Read more.

Ethnic Diversity: Take time to meet some of Luang Prabang’s 12 ethnic groups. You can easily visit villages with Khmu, Hmong, Tai Dam, Tai Lue, Phou Noi, and Yao. The Khmu came to Laos thousands of years ago, with many settling in Luang Prabang. They rely on the forest for growing rice, hunting and gathering, and...Read more.

Things to Do: Trek to ethnic villages and waterfalls, or go off road on a bike. Try kayaking, or take a handicraft class. Hop on a river cruise or fly on a zip line. Go enjoy all of Luang Prabang. Trek through Luang Prabang’s nature with a local guide, and overnight in ethnic villages. Tour operators offer several options, from challenging...Read more. 

Top Attractions: Check out Luang Prabang’s ancient temples, architecture, craft villages, caves, waterfalls, and nature parks. Examine the elaborate décor under a long sweeping roof at Vat Xieng Thong at the tip of the city’s peninsula. Built in 1560, during the early Lane Xang era, the “Golden City Monastery” stands as Luang...Read more.

Getting There: You can easily reach Luang Prabang by air, road, or boat from several domestic and regional cities. A growing number of airlines have direct flights to Luang Prabang from Southeast Asian hubs including Bangkok, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. North Asia also launches direct flights from Seoul...Read more.

Getting Around: From the e-bus to cycles to boats to walking, you’ll find plenty of ways to get where you want to go in Luang Prabang. Several modes of transportation connect tourists between their accommodation and Luang Prabang’s attractions. An official counter at the airport offers rides (LAK50,000) in modern vehicles...Read more.

Where to Stay: Enjoy great accommodation with character, whatever your budget. Immerse yourself in the Luang Prabang UNESCO experience by staying at a hotel reflecting the city’s heritage. Enjoy morning coffee from a personal terrace overlooking a garden with lotus ponds or a balcony perched on the Mekong Riverbank...Read more.

Travel Guide: It’s easy to navigate Laos’ #1 tourism city, from getting to Luang Prabang to its hotels, restaurants, and transportation to the many sites. Luang Prabang wears the crown as the top tourist destination in Laos. The UNESCO World Heritage City remains rooted in its past as the Lane Xang Kingdom’s capital and...Read more.

 

Luang Prabang…Timeless

Getting to Luang Prabang

Getting around Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang Accommodation

Things to Do in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang History

Luang Prabang’s Top Attractions

Recommended in Luang Prabang
L’Horizon Private Charters
Want to water ski through the jungle? Drop anchor and laze the day away fishing? Or, simply cruise to discover the people and places of historic Luang Prabang? For those wishing to explore Luang Prabang and its outlying sites and attractions, L’Horizon Private Charters offers a chance to do it your own way. Sleek, fast and comfortable, your own private boat will whisk you along the Mekong River to discover Laos in style on a fully customised full and half-day charters.
L’Horizon Private Charters +856 20 5997 5515
AVANI+ Luang Prabang
AVANI+ Luang Prabang is located in the heart of the tiny and ancient town of Luang Prabang, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The two-storey hotel features 53 guest rooms, each with a private balcony or terrace overlooking a garden and courtyard spread across an open-plan living area. AVANI+ Luang Prabang offers deluxe rooms, pool view accommodation and AVANI Suites. The hotel features a restaurant, bistro bar, AVANISPA, AVANIFIT gym, a 25-metre outdoor lap pool and pool bar, and multi-purpose indoor and outdoor facilities for conferences and events.
AVANI+ Luang Prabang +856 71 262333
Mekong Kingdoms
Embark on a journey of dreams and discovery on Southeast Asia's most beguiling waterway. Mekong Kingdoms is pioneering a stylish new way of exploring the Mekong: modern boats, bespoke interiors, interesting itineraries and a playful, artistic spirit. The five-vessel fleet includes the 2-cabin Gypsy for luxurious wilderness escapes, and the 13-cabin Bohème for the ultimate in cruising. Experience the Mekong’s sights and sounds and Luang Prabang's cultural sites from Play’s suspended lounge and well-stocked bar. Or, board the Nomad for a real feel of the Mekong, with a butler, champagne, and sunset views. Experience the spectacular, mysterious heart of Asia with Mekong Kingdoms.
Mekong Kingdoms +856 71 255 001
White Elephant Adventures
Based in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, White Elephant Adventures has been leading ecotourism-based home stays and hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking tours through the countryside of Laos for nearly two decades. Our aim is to take people off the tourist path on a professionally guided tour as deep into a cultural immersion as your time permits. With tours ranging from easy to challenging, we have something for everyone. We also facilitate school expedition groups and community volunteer projects.
White Elephant Adventures +856 30 578 9120
Saffron Coffee
Saffron Coffee is a profit-for-purpose enterprise, whose Lao Arabica is directly traded and sustainably sourced from more than 830 smallholder, hill tribe farming families in northern Laos. The coffee is processed, hulled, graded, hand-sorted, and roasted in Luang Prabang. Saffron Coffee’s flagship cafe - the Espresso, Brew Bar, and Roastery on the Mekong in Luang Prabang - celebrates the uniqueness of its organic, shade-grown coffee. The cafe is open 7 days a week, with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, riverside seating, and a menu that complements the quality coffee. Saffron Coffee also offers tours between November and February, allowing guests to experience the full coffee journey from "Cherry to Cup".
Saffron Coffee +856 20 5905 7849
Parasol Blanc
Located just 5 minutes from town, the iconic Parasol Blanc hotel intertwines Luang Prabang royalty, culture, and religion. The recently refurbished hotel offers 30 stylish, comfortable rooms built around lush tropical gardens and a UNESCO-protected lotus pond. All rooms present a blend of traditional Laotian design and contemporary decor with private balconies overlooking the garden. And, you’ll find all of the amenities you expect from an international standard hotel. Parasol Blanc’s White Lotus restaurant offers a unique fusion of international and Lao dishes backed by an “EthniK” fashion show featuring more than 100 traditional dresses and costumes from various Lao ethnic minorities.
Parasol Blanc +856 71 252 124
Villa Maly
A Destination unto itself in Luang Prabang’s UNESCO zone, and former home of Lao royalty, Villa Maly presents an exquisite boutique hotel, surrounded by a lush tropical garden. Built in 1938, the hotel’s “Art Deco” style and residential ambiance is prevalent throughout, with an original blend of French and British furnishings from Colonial times. Rooms are elegant and comfortable with a hint of history and creative touches. Guests can relax at the poolside, enjoy massages, travel services, and free bicycle rental. Our garden restaurant serves local and international dishes. Lao-style barbecues, known as “Sindad”, can be arranged. Light snacks and cocktails are available at our poolside bar.
Villa Maly +856 (0) 71 25 39 03
Elephant Conservation Centre
Visit the Elephant Conservation Center for an immersive experience while helping conserve Asia's most iconic species. Located on a lake in Sayabouly’s Nam Tien protected area, ECC offers a 2-day Discovery package with forest walks and encounters with elephants and mahouts, nursery and hospital visits, elephant baths, and an overnight in a bamboo bungalow. The 3-day Exploration adds training with positive reinforcement, and cognitive enrichment via playtime. The 7-day Eco Volunteering extends the experience into ECCs projects, such as recording elephant behavior, participating in enrichment activities, and producing elephant dung paper. Packages include 2.5-hour transfers to/from Luang Prabang.
Elephant Conservation Centre +856 20 9659 0665
Sofitel Luang Prabang
An easy drive from the international airport, this elegant and spacious Sofitel property is simply the best luxury hotel in Luang Prabang. Its selection of immaculately decorated suites and villas is perfectly suited to business and leisure travellers, with an exquisite balance of style, comfort and convenience that global guests have come to expect from Sofitel. Guests at Sofitel Luang Prabang will experience the best of both worlds, taking in the very best of modern comfort while appreciating the fine architecture and décor inspired by Lao artists throughout history. The swimming pool, fitness centre, and lounge provide opportunities to relax and enjoy the slow pace of life at this luxury 5 star hotel.
Sofitel Luang Prabang +856 71 260 777
3 Nagas Luang Prabang, MGallery by Sofitel
The 15 impressively spacious rooms housed in 3 Nagas' two heritage homes range from 30 to 56 sqm, and open onto either the 3 Nagas Garden or overlook the quaint town of Luang Prabang. Colonial furniture amidst traditional Lao design adds warmth and atmosphere to these rooms. Each of the 12 Deluxe rooms and 3 Executive suites are well-appointed for optimal comfort and convenience and complemented by an attached terrace or balcony, Wi-Fi, coffee and tea making facilities, a minibar and an in-room safe deposit box.
3 Nagas Luang Prabang, MGallery by Sofitel +856 71 253 888
Governor’s Grill at Sofitel Luang Prabang
Overlooking the botanical garden at Sofitel Luang Prabang hotel, Governor's Grill – the only steakhouse restaurant of its kind in Luang Prabang – makes the most of its sensational setting and ambiance with indoor and tented al fresco seating and offers a delectable fusion of traditional Lao cuisine with its distinctive spices and flavours and fine western gastronomy. The chefs are delighted to walk guests through the menu and recommend some of the premium meats and other grill selections, or something closer to home from the continental corner. Open daily from 06:30 to 22:00.
Governor’s Grill at Sofitel Luang Prabang +856 71 260 777
3 Nagas Restaurant
The aromas of lemongrass and pepper wood drift on the breeze before guests arrive at 3 Nagas Restaurant with its colonial floor tiles, 19th century maps, black-and-white photographs, silk and bamboo lanterns and quiet Lao folk music played on a wind instrument, khaen. In a town that is renowned for serving the delicious dishes, thanks in part to the former royal chefs, guests are served an amuse bouche of French soup with a Lao twist as they discover the menu’s wide array of traditional favourites, including royal specialties. The restaurant is one of the top choice for travellers seeking an authentic Lao cuisine and upscale dining experience.
3 Nagas Restaurant +856 71 253 888
Sanctuary Luang Prabang Hotel
Located in the historic heart of of Luang Prabang, between the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, the Sanctuary Luang Prabang Hotel is a haven of tranquillity on the edge of the peninsula, close to the night market with streets, temples and restaurants typical of Laos. The hotel is built around three UNESCO listed buildings in the country’s historic capital and Buddhism centre. Its charm, traditional architecture and exotic garden make it an ideal holiday resort, calm and serene, yet close to everything. Most of its architectural treasures are within walking distance of the hotel.
Sanctuary Luang Prabang Hotel +856 (0)71 213 777
Ock Pop Tok
Ock Pop Tok’s fun and meaningful learning, shopping, dining and stay experiences help visitors “Discover Laos Through Textiles!” Take hands-on weaving and natural dye classes and free tours of the weaving studio at the Living Crafts Centre. Shop at Heritage Collection for classic and vintage textiles by master weavers. Blending modern design with traditional techniques, The Boutique offers fashion and home collections. Dine on classic Lao and fusion dishes at the Silk Road Café and stay in a textile-inspired room at Mekong Villa, a restored riverside bungalow. Free tuk-tuk shuttle to each location.
Ock Pop Tok +856 071 212 597
Luang Prabang Deaf & Mute Community Handicraft Shop
Visit the Luang Prabang Deaf & Mute Community Handicraft Shop, located near the bowling alley on the road from the stadium, watch the residents weave and farm, and purchase their products. The Sisters of Charity opened the school to teach professional skills, such as traditional Lao weaving and sewing, to the deaf and mutes so they can become autonomous. Stop by in the afternoon when they are producing bags, shirts, scarfs, carpets and other fabrics you can buy in their shop, which helps support the school. While there, inspect their garden sprouting organic vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms, and see their pigs, poultry, and fish pond.
Luang Prabang Deaf & Mute Community Handicraft Shop 20 9513 4648
Dyen Sabai
Opened in 2008, Dyen Sabai restaurant offers traditional Lao food and a Lao BBQ (sindad). The restaurant is located across the Nam Khan River. You can reach Dyen Sabai by walking across the Bamboo Bridge, or on the restaurant’s free boat, when the bridge is not open. Dyen Sabai presents five different terraces with seating on floor cushions or at tables. Some seats offer beautiful views of the Nam Khan River. The restaurant attracts plenty of locals and tourists, who mix and eat together.
Dyen Sabai 856-71-410-185
Yuni Yupoun
Yuni Yupoun means “Here and There.” Opened in February 2019, Yuni Yupoun presents an innovative restaurant that offers different food from nine different countries and regions. The restaurant offers African, South and North American, Lebanese, Laotian, Thai, Creole, European, and Indian dishes. Yuni Yupoun aims to provide a menu with meals you cannot find in Luang Prabang. If you are homesick or missing a special type of food during your travels, you can find it at our restaurant. The décor represents the different countries, so please come and have a look. Yuni Yupoun is located on Luang Prabang’s main street, Sisavangvong, between Zen Spa and Miniso.
Yuni Yupoun 856-20-5634-1116
Shompoo Cruise
Cruise the Mekong in comfort on Shompoo. With 10 years’ experience in navigating the 2-day cruise between Luang Prabang and Houay Xay at the Thai border, Shompoo knows what passengers want and deliver. The spacious vessel’s rosewood-and-teak deck holds 10 tables with 40 seats. A bar and lounge occupy the back, and a sundeck sits on the bow. Shompoo’s English-speaking guide takes you to Whiskey Village and Pak Ou Caves, with hundreds of ancient Buddha statues. You’ll also visit villages, which Shompoo supports with school supplies. On-board lunches present authentic Lao cuisine, and Shompoo offers a range of accommodation options for the Pakbeng stay.
Shompoo Cruise +856 71 213 189

Luang Prabang