Vientiane may be the capital of Laos, but Luang Prabang is the undisputed cultural center of the country. On the one hand, this is related to the numerous architectural and religious sights, on the other hand, the government has made many efforts to make Luang Prabang a popular tourist destination. These efforts paid off, and today 33 of the 58 adjacent villages are part of the UNESCO Town Of Luang Prabang World Heritage Site. In the past, the city was even the capital of Laos. At that time, it was called Xieng Thong. Luang Prabang has a population of over 56,000, including many Hmong. We enjoyed our stay, although the experience was different from the capital Vientiane, or even Vang Vieng. Luang Prabang has its flair and especially if you like cultural sites, you’ve come to the right place.
Things to do in Luang
Prabang
There are numerous cultural and natural sites in Luang Prabang. A cultural sight that you shouldn’t miss is the famous Mount Phou Si. There are also numerous temples, museums, and comparable cultural cities. Most of these are close to each other. If you’re looking for beautiful nature the Kuang Si Waterfall is worth visiting. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful waterfalls we’ve ever seen (it looks like in the pictures) and you can always combine your visit with the Bear Rescue Centre. In terms of nightlife, Luang Prabang can’t compete with Vang Vieng or Vientiane, but there are some good bars here too.
Bars and restaurants in
Luang Prabang
There are some cozy bars in Luang Prabang that you should try out if you’re looking for a place to enjoy your evening. Many of them offer a nice variety of beers and spirits. When it comes to restaurants, you have a wide choice here anyway. Most restaurants offer Lao or Western food, but also but other cuisines such as Indian are available.
Airports in Luang
Prabang
Unlike the natural wonder Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang has an airport. The Luang Prabang International Airport has only one terminal. It services domestic and international flights. Many scheduled flights are from Bangkok Airways, Lao Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, or Vietnam Airlines. The best way to get to the airport is to order a cab. Just ask your hotel, so you don’t have any stress during your departure.
Is Luang Prabang an
expensive city?
Luang Prabang isn’t too expensive, but it depends a lot on how you spend your money. The costs are comparable to Vang Vieng and Vientiane, but you should plan to spend a lot of money on sightseeing and transportation. How much you spend on your accommodation depends if you’re okay with a cheap guesthouse or if you want a fancy hotel. If you want to save money when eating out, you should just go to smaller restaurants where the locals eat. Restaurants aimed at tourists are usually much more expensive.