LUANG PRABANG, LAOS
Luang Prabang is one of the coolest places I have been on my travels thus far! The energy that backpackers bring partnered with its sheer, natural beauty make this small town a must-visit. In addition to Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang is famous for its daily alms ceremony in which monks come down to collect food from local temples. Before opting to check this out, please be mindful that this is a sacred tradition and is best observed from a distance. Any way you slice it, you’ll love Luang Prabang!
Attractions:
Kuang Si Falls: I cannot say enough about these stunning waterfalls! To get here, you need to take an hour long van or tuk-tuk ride so try to go with other people. There will be drivers in town telling you that you won’t be able to get there for less than 200,000 LAK. I can’t say I blame them but don’t bite. I shared a van with others and was able to get there for 50,000 LAK ($6 USD). The entrance fee is 20,000 LAK and you can swim here! There’s a 30 minute hike up to a viewpoint and, once up top, an additional 30 minute hike to a small lagoon.
Mount Phousi (or Chom Si Hill): You can hike up this sacred hill to catch a great view and the gilded stupa of Wat Chom Si. Keep in mind that it gets really crowded near sunset.
Utopia: Chill cafe where you can read, journal, and relax. There’s also a nice view of the river here. I definitely recommend heading here if you want a few hours to kick back! I may have gotten their vegan Oreo shake once (or twice).
Night Market: On the main strip of Luang Prabang, there’s an awesome night market filled with plenty of food, souvenirs, etc. My favorite spot was a vegan buffet that doesn’t have a name; you can’t miss it! There are a ton of options to choose from and you fill your plate as much as you possibly can - and that is not an exaggeration. Then, the chef cooks it all right in front of you. All for only 10,000 LAK ($1.20 USD)!
Other spots to check out include the Royal Palace, Wat Xieng Thong, Pak Ou Caves, and Green Jungle Park (for zip-lining, rappelling, and crossing rope bridges).
Accommodation:
Mano Temple House: The only complaint here is that this hostel is located a bit outside of the city center. This town is small though so that wasn’t the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination.
Transportation:
Vang Vieng is 4 hours by bus from Luang Prabang and costs 80,000 LAK.
Phonsavan (the base city for visiting the Plain of Jars) is 8 hours by bus from Luang Prabang. Prices for this trip vary.
Vientiane is 12 hours by bus from Luang Prabang and costs 175,000 LAK.
Chiang Mai, Thailand is 12 hours by bus from Luang Prabang and costs 450,000 LAK. You can also take a 1 hour (propeller) flight from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang for between 700,000-1,000,000 LAK.
If you are looking to get to Chiang Rai, there is a two-day slow boat ride that many tourists opt for. You float along the Mekong River and tickets cost 220,000 LAK.
The above photos of me were taken by a random traveler and Freddy Freegan. Gracias, amigos!