Adventure

6 Superior Causes To Go to Luang Prabang, Laos

May 30, 2025

It’s typically neglected in favour of its extra established neighbours Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. However make no mistake – Laos is to not be missed.

If this land-locked nation is the forgotten sibling of Southeast Asia, then Luang Prabang is the underdog that can make it rise to the highest. Neglect about tourist-ridden Vang Vieng and meander up the Mekong to this laid-back gem of a metropolis. It’s excellent for you, whether or not you’re a backpacker, flashpacker, or something in between. Right here’s why:

1. The mouth-watering fusion meals

Photograph by filmlandscape.

Luang Prabang residents are large followers of sticky rice. And sticky noodles. Particularly when dipped in sticky sauce. However there’s way more to the native delicacies than this! As a former French colony, you’ll discover loads of golden brown baguettes stuffed with contemporary elements. This colonial chapter of the town’s historical past – together with influences from its neighbours – has resulted in a novel mixture of French-Indo-Chinese language cooking that foodies and philistines alike gained’t have the ability to get sufficient of. Oh, and the espresso is the most effective you’ll get wherever on the continent.

EXPLORE OUR FULL RANGE OF SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES IN LAOS HERE

2. The gorgeous forest hikes

Photograph by lkunl.

Laos doesn’t have the sprawling, smog-choked metropolises that different Asian international locations have. Inside half an hour of leaving the centre of Luang Prabang you’ll be surrounded by tree-topped hills, rice fields and the gradual movement of the Mekong River. So for the traveller who loves exploring nature and hitting the paths, there’s no higher place. Prime of the checklist is the three-ish hour trek to Kuang Si waterfalls (the place you see in all these tourism pictures of Laos), which passes indigenous villages, orchards, and rice paddies on the best way. Cool off within the falls, then go to a bear rescue centre, set as much as defend, protect and enrich the lives of Asiatic bears who’ve been rescued from trafficking, on the best way dwelling.

SPLASH ABOUT IN KUANG SI FALLS ON OUR 12-DAY CAMBODIA & LAOS ENCOUNTER TOUR – DETAILS HERE

3. The chilled out evening markets

Photograph by Natalia Schuchardt.

There aren’t many cities on the earth the place, after 5pm, streets flip into sprawling evening markets. However that’s Luang Prabang for you. Town’s intensive evening market is a spot for locals and vacationers alike to buy, eat, drink and meet. Decide up some genuine hand-crafted souvenirs (you’ll discover nothing mass-produced for vacationer {dollars} right here), relax with just a few bottles of Beerlao, snack on some hot-off-the-grill avenue meals, or simply make associates with the locals. No matter you’re into, the evening market is one thing you’ll wish to expertise each time the solar units.

4. The dazzling temples

Photograph by Suthikait Teerawattanaphan.

Luang Prabang was as soon as the royal and non secular hub of Laos. Because of this, this tiny little metropolis has 30 separate temples to its identify. They’re dotted throughout city, some nestling in facet streets and a few up within the hills with stunning views of the town and the Mekong. To not be missed are Haw Pha Bang, the temple contained in the Royal Palace which was solely accomplished in 2006; the golden-gilded Wat Xieng Thong on the finish of Luang Prabang’s outdated city, simply the town’s most stunning; and Wat Chom Si. Positioned on prime of Mount Phousi, this temple isn’t as spectacular because the others however what it lacks in opulence, it makes up for with a stellar view of the town beneath. Keep to observe the sundown for a fair higher view, however convey a torch for the 300-step descent.

5. The nice clear enjoyable!

Photograph by Em Campos.

If all you wish to do is relax with a drink or two whereas the solar goes down, Luang Prabang is the place you might want to be. And we actually imply ‘a drink or two’ – the get together scene is so laid again right here that almost all locations are shutting up store by midnight. Besides, that’s, for the bowling alley simply exterior of city. You’ll see tuk tuks heading there en masse when bars shut, and whereas it could appear a little bit random, it’s definitely worth the quick journey; this place serves up drinks and tunes effectively into the small hours. If there’s one factor Luang Prabang can educate you, it’s that bowling is ten instances extra enjoyable when new associates and tacky pop hits are concerned.

6. The hidden gem day journeys

A temple filled with gold Buddhas in a cave

Photograph by gjee.

There’s a lot in Luang Prabang to maintain any traveller entertained for days. However should you’re craving to get off the overwhelmed path, there’s a plethora of day journeys to whet your urge for food too. Most of them contain a gradual boat up the Mekong, which is a worthy expertise in itself. The Ban Pak Ou caves are an intriguing journey; they’re stuffed with intricately carved Buddha statues. Nong Kiaw is a picturesque city north of Luang Prabang with extra caves, waterfalls, hikes and journey sports activities to maintain adrenaline junkies entertained. It’s removed from a day journey, however the Conventional Arts & Ethnology Centre within the coronary heart of Luang Prabang can also be extremely really helpful should you don’t fancy straying too far.

Fancy trying out Luang Prabang for your self? Go to this vibrant metropolis on a small group journey with Intrepid – take a look at our full vary of journeys right here.

Characteristic picture by Torjrtrx by way of Shutterstock.