Luang Prabang Province

LUANG PRABANG PROVINCE

LUANG PRABANG OVERVIEW

Located: Northern Laos

Total area: 16,8755 square kilometers.

Population: 451,889 (2026)

12 Districts: Luang Prabang, Xieng Ngeun, Nan, Pak Ou, Nambak, Ngoi, Pakxeng, Phonxay, Chomphet, Viengkham , Phounkhone and Phonthong.

Capital of the province: Luang Prabang

Website: www.tourismluangprabang.org（https://www.tourismluangprabang.org/）

Facebook Fanpage: Luang Prabang Tourism（https://www.facebook.com/tourismluangprabang.org）

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UNESCO World Heritage Site

Laos’ spiritual and religious centre

Well preserved buildings

Festivals

GENERAL INFORMATION

Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment. In the 14 th century, the King Fa Ngum founded the first Lao Kingdom, Lane Xang, here in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang remained the capital of Lane Xang until 1565 when the capital was moved to Vientiane. It remained to serve as the country’s spiritual and religious centre.

Visitors to Luang Prabang are charmed by the friendly atmosphere of this small town. The town itself offers several unique insights into the history of the region, through excellently preserved Buddhist temples, museum and a variety of Lao, Tai-Lue, Burmese, Chinese and Taui architecture.

The town is famous for its unique textiles and beautiful mulberry paper. Famous foods（https://www.tourismlaos.org/welcome/food-flavours/） in Luang Prabang are “ Aur Lam ” (a thick stew made with the herb “Sakhan”, meat and eggplants), “ Jaew Bong ”, a sauce made with hot chillies and buffalo skin and “ khai Pan ” dried river weed lightly fried with sesame seeds and garlic.

Some of the most visited sites（https://www.tourismlaos.org/welcome/legendary-landmarks/） in Luang Prabang Town are Wat Xieng Thong , Mount Phou Si, Wat Visounnarath , the former Royal Palace and Wat Manolom . Equally beautiful are the lesser known temples across the Mekong River in Chomphet District. You can take a 1,5 hour walk through the hills and forest opposite the main town to explore the old temple sites and peaceful environment. Just outside of the main town are the beautiful Tad Kwang Si Waterfall（https://www.tourismlaos.org/waterfalls/） , Tham Ting Caves（https://www.tourismlaos.org/caves/） , Ban Xang Hai Village and the tiered waterfall Tad Sae . Further out is muang Ngoi Kao, a quiet village located on the banks of the Nam Ou River surrounded by high karst mountains and sheer limestone cliffs. You can visit these sites on your own or use the services of one of the many tour operators based in town.

Luang Parbang celebrates all of the major Lao（https://www.tourismlaos.org/welcome/buddhism-and-belief/festivals/） Festivals in style. The largest, Pi Mai Lao or Lao New Year takes place officially from 13-15 April, but in Luang Prabang the festival often lasts a full week with a trade fair, “Miss Lao New Year” contest, parades and religious ceremonies. In late December is Hmong New Year. This is a time where the Hmong show off their finest traditional clothing, hold musical performances and other cultural ceremonies. In Luang Prabang, the annual boat races are held in late September, one month earlier than Vientiane and most other places in the country.

While in Luang Prabang, you may observe the morning alms giving ceremony（https://www.tourismlaos.org/welcome/buddhism-and-belief/） where monks walk through town in single file carrying their alms bowls to give laypeople the opportunity to offer alms and gain merit. Offerings by the people are usually comprised of sticky rice, fruit or simple traditional snacks. Known as “ Binthabat ” in Lao, this is a sacred religious ceremony. Tourists may participate in and photograph the ceremony, however, the people of Luang Prabang, especially the monks, ask that this is done in a respectful way and visitors do everything they can not to disrupt this ancient tradition.

Archaeological evidence suggests that Luang Prabang has been inhabited since at least 8,000 BC. The first Laos Kingdom, Lane Xang, was founded here in the 14 th century by King Fa Ngum after he conquered and unified the lands of modern-day Xieng Khouang , the Khorat Plateau and Luang Prabang. The city’s first contact with western emissaries occurred in the mid 17 th century during the reign of King Surigna Vongsa. After his death in 1694, Lane Xang broke up into three separate Kingdoms; Vientiane, Champasack and Luang Prabang.

By the late 19 th century Luang Prabang was under attack by marauding Black Flag bandits who destroyed many sacred Buddha images, temples and historical documents. Under King Sisavang Vong (1904-1959) a number of restoration and beautification projects were launched, many of which are still evident today. French influenced buildings began to appear in the later 1800’s, adding to the mixture of Lao, Tai-Lue, Burmese, Chinese and Tai architecture.

Luang Prabang is rich in cultural heritage, and is known as the seat of Lao culture, with monasteries, monuments traditional costumes and surrounded by many types of nature’s beauty.

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LUANG PRABANG PROVINCE on Google Map

TOURIST DESTINATION

XIENGTHONG TEMPLE (Wat Xieng Thong)

Built during the 16th century by King Saya Setthathirath and completed in 1560, Xieng Thong Temple is one of the most interesting examples of traditional Lao art and Buddhist architecture. The ornate carved and gilded funeral vehicle of the former king is kept in one of the buildings in the temple grounds. It is well worth visiting and paying your respects to this temple while in Luang Prabang. This temple was used to organize the highest Royal Ceremonies and houses the bones of King Sisavangvong. The intricate golden facades, colorful murals, glass mosaics and unique threetiered roof make this one of the most beautiful temples in Asia. Located on the main street at the end of the peninsular, when you walk from the Luang Prabang Tourism Information Center just about 10 minutes and at the left hand side. Open daily 08:00–17:00, Admission Fee: 30.000kip/person

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XIENGTHONG TEMPLE (Wat Xieng Thong) on Google Map

ALMS GIVING CEREMONY

The UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang is the perfect place to see one of the most sacred Lao traditions, the Buddhist Alms Giving Ceremony. Despite being a highly revered ritual for locals, visitors are encouraged to be involved as long as a level of respect is maintained throughout. Alms giving takes place daily as the sun rises, beginning on the main street of Luang Prabang before spreading out to all the side streets. You should buy your offerings (usually food) in advance and arrive with plenty of time to spare as it’s considered very offensive to disrupt the ceremony once it has commenced. Follow the guidance of the locals by kneeling down ready to give your offering to the monks; most common gifts include rice, fresh fruit and traditional sweet snacks. The idea of the alms giving is for the Buddhist monks to make merit and also to collect food for their one meal of a day.

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ALMS GIVING CEREMONY on Google Map

CARUSO CREATIONS LUANG PRABANG

An international icon of Lao design for almost three decades, Caruso is the very essence of creativity. From marvelous ebony objects, often edged with pure silver, to the finest silk, you’ll find the country’s finest craftsmanship in this elegant boutique. Each piece has been reinterpreted with a modern touch using traditional forms. It’s impossible to leave the boutique without falling in love with an object. The master craftsmen’s workshop is open to the public. Daily worldwide shipments. Address: 60 Sakkarine Road, Ban Vat Sene, Luang Prabang

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CARUSO CREATIONS LUANG PRABANG on Google Map

THAT CHOMSI – PHOUSI MOUNTAIN

Incredible Mountain it’s located in centre of town visitors will need to climb 328 zigzag stairs up to the top of the Mountain from there you will see a perfect 360 panoramic view of the whole city. Mount Phousi is Luang Prabang Holy Mountain, and at its very top sites the 20 m high Wat Chomsi stupa. Located in the center of Luang Prabang’s old town with the Mekong River on one side, and Nam Khan River on the other.

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THAT CHOMSI – PHOUSI MOUNTAIN on Google Map

TRADITIONAL ARTS AND ETHNOLOGY CENTER

Visiting this professionally presented three-room museum is a must to learn about northern Laos’ various hill-tribe cultures, especially if planning a trek. There’s just enough to inform without overloading a beginner. If you want more information, watch the video or ask to leaf through the books of a small library cabinet in the museum’s delightful café. TAEC is within a former French judge’s mansion that was among the city’s most opulent buildings of the 1920s.

Open daily except Monday, Time: 09:00-18:00 Admission: …………. kip, Tel: +856-71-253364.

Website: www.teaclaos.org（http://www.teaclaos.org）

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TRADITIONAL ARTS AND ETHNOLOGY CENTER on Google Map

ROYAL PALACE MUSEUM

Located in the heart of Luang Prabang, the Royal Palace Museum was first constructed in 1904 in the French colonial era. Visit the museum and see the real “Prabang” Buddha image. Pha Bang lives is an easy-to-miss little room surrounded by engraved elephant tusks and three silk screens embroidered by the former queen. To find it, walk east along the palace’s exterior south terrace and peep in between the bars at the eastern end. Note that persistent rumours claims that the image on display here is stored in a vault in Vientiane. The ‘real’ one supposedly has gold leaf over the eyes and a hole drilled through one ankle.

Open daily except Tuesday, Time: 08:00-11:30, 13:30-16:00,

Entrance Fee: …………. Kip, Children under 10 free of charge.

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ROYAL PALACE MUSEUM on Google Map

SLOW BOAT & RIVER CRUISE

The waters of the Mekong have for centuries been the major highways in this region, carrying goods, people and ideas up through the heart of Laos. Even today, boat traffic is a busy part of the Mekong. If you like, charter a boat and have your own trip, stopping and looking at what takes your fancy. You can dine on the river or just laze with your camera at the ready. Many popular spots are accessible by boat (some, like a Tad Sae Waterfall and Tham Ting Cave are only accessible by boat). Consider, too, simply hiring a boat to cross the Mekong to visit Chomphet district for a great perspective on the city from across the river. Or take a spectacular sunset cruise to relax and take in the natural beauty.

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SLOW BOAT & RIVER CRUISE on Google Map

LUANG PRABANG NIGHT MARKET

Luang Prabang night market (night bazar) is something you simply can’t miss when visiting this UNESCO world heritage city.

The market is open daily from 17:00-22:00. It is located along Sisavangvong Road from the Royal Palace Museum.

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LUANG PRABANG NIGHT MARKET on Google Map

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