Luang Prabang is a city located in north central Laos, about 340 kilometers from Laos’ capital Vientiane. LP is home to beautiful temples, some of the prettiest waterfalls in Southeast Asia and a place where food lovers will feast. A visit to this little gem of a town is a must when visiting Laos, and here’s what you can do in a day.
The local market
Start your day with breakky at the local market in the heart of Luang Prabang, open from 6am till 10pm. For just 10.000 Kip (around 1,15 USD) you can get a delicious fresh fruit shake. A mouthwatering sandwich with avocado, egg, chicken, salad, cheese, or whatever you like is just 15.000 Kip! Not only is the local market food lovers paradise, it’s also a great spot to score some souvenirs.
Do go chasing waterfalls
Prepare yourself for a 40 minute ride through winding mountain roads, to visit the Kuangsi Waterfall. If you suffer from motion sickness it is wise to take the necessary precautions, because believe me: this journey’s a tough one!
Admission to this waterfall park is 20.000 Kip (around $2). Before you arrive at the waterfalls you’ll walk past a bear sanctuary. I’m never a big fan of animals living in captivity, but these big black bears have been rescued of the hands of horrible humans, leading a peaceful and happy life again.
The prettiest waterfalls you’ve ever seen
Okay. Wow. I had seen pictures of the Kuangsi Waterfalls before but it was even more beautiful in real life. And surreal! So surreal. The water is beautifully blue/green and looks so extremely inviting. And the good thing is: you are allowed to swim here! Do prepare yourselves because the water is extremely cold. Or should I say refreshing? 😉
After you’re done swimming take some more time to stroll around this beautiful place. One spot is even more beautiful than the other, and if you’re looking for that perfect instaworthy shot to make everyone at home jealous then this is it 😉
Go temple hopping
One of my personal favorite things about traveling in Southeast Asia is visiting all the beautiful temples. I love that feeling of walking into a temple: the calming scent of incense, the beautiful gold that glitters and the contagious peace and serenity. The predominant culture in Laos is Buddhism, and in Luang Prabang you’ll find over 30 temples; plenty to dedicate an afternoon of exploring to.
End the day in a perfect world
End your day in another world by having drinks and dinner at Utopia. This beautiful lounge restaurant is hidden at the end of an alley. It has a great vibe, great chill-out areas and great food. Utopia is a bit more expensive than the local places with prices ranging from 40.000 to 70.000 Kip ($5-8) but absolutely worth a visit.
With plenty to do, Luang Prabang is definitely a must-see when traveling though Laos. Enjoy your trip! 🙂
All pictures in this article are edited with Eef’s Presets – get yours here.
❤ Eef
3 Comments
anne-marie
fantastisch mooi allemaal
ik zal het moeten doen met een gewone koude douche in plaats van een prachtige koude waterval.
evelienlangeveld
Dat is toch ook lekker mam 🙂 Doe je je ogen dicht en waan je je even in het water op de foto’s! 😘
anne-marie
ja goed idee