Adrenaline Activities,  Laos

12 Things to do in Luang Prabang, Laos, UNESCO World Heritage City

Now to get back to Luang Prabang (after a New York time out), one of my new favorite places on Earth. If you are interested in, or planning on, traveling to Southeast Asia, you MUST put Luang Prabang on your destination list (and plan on spending at least three days there, if not a week)!

  1. Spend a day visiting some of Luang Prabang’s 32 shimmering temples, most notably Vat Vixoun, Vat Xieng Thong (pictured below), and Vat Sene.

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  2. Climb Mount Phousi for sweeping panoramic views of this World Heritage City. Mount Phousi is located in the center of town. Climb the 300 steps to the summit, where golden-spired Wat Chomsi sits, in the late afternoon to watch the sunset over Luang Prabang and the Mekong.

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  3. Visit the stunning Kuang Sii Waterfalls and Bear Rescue Center. [wpvideo k9wRGEFr]© The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com
  4. Eat by candlelight with friends, exploring some of LP’s many cafes and bars with lovely outdoor spaces. Some of our favorites include: JoMa Bakery Cafe, Lao Lao Garden, Tangor, and Hive Bar.

    Candlelight dinner at Lao Lao Garden.

    ©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.comIMG_8481Breakdance show at the Hive Bar [wpvideo yG31IwGm]

  5. Channel the Hmong and other mountain tribes at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center. As you exit through the gift shop, be sure to pick up some really cool hand-made gifts. The proceeds go to the hill-tribe people who crafted them. © The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com© The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com

    © The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com

  6. © The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com© The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com© The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com© The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.comSpend the day (or half a day) washing, riding and learning to train elephants at the Elephant Village.

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  7. Shop till you drop at the local markets while cruising the streets of LP. Markets include the Phousy Market and the Hmong Night Market. ©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.comIMG_3068 ©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.comIMG_8534
  8. For the actively inclined: Cycle, Kayak or Trek. Some local outfitters include: Green Discovery LaosWhite Elephant Adventures, or Action Max Laos.
  9. Get your grub on at the night street food market. This food is no-joke. Fill your plate up, all-you-can eat for $1.00 USD!!! ©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.comIMG_3070IMG_3072IMG_3073

    Yes, that’s a pig’s head

  10. Wake up before dawn to pay homage to the monks, young and old alike. ©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.com©The Traveluster www.thetraveluster.comIMG_8547
  11. Tour the Royal Palace Museum to see an impressive collection of Buddhist art and royal Lao artifacts.
  12. Visit the famous Pak Ou Caves.

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As stated in the title, the entire city of Luang Prabang is protected as a World Heritage Site (#479).

As I write this post, I am itching to go back to this jewel-like town in Laos to do all the things I didn’t have time to do. I yearn to spend weeks there, just relaxing and taking in the laid-back, magical atmosphere, like so many people we met decided to do when they came for a week and stayed for six… or more!

So, I’m curious. Do you want to head to Luang Prabang?

For my next post, we’ll move on to Vang Vieng, the outdoor-adventure mecca, nestled in the most stunning karst mountain scenery!!

Thanks for stopping by!

♥ Lindsay

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