Travel Guide Luang Prabang & Best Sunset in Luang Prabang

Read all the tips for in the Travel Guide Luang Prabang in Laos and, of course, that magical sunset. I soon found out that this city is known as the most fun city in Laos. So are you going to Laos? Put Luang Prabang on your itinerary and set aside a few days for it.

Travel Guide Luang Prabang – Laos

The city of Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is a city in central Laos on the Mekong River. It is also called the pearl of the Mekong and I can understand why. Fortunately, the entire city has also been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1995. Walking through the streets of this culturally rich city like this, it is nice to know that everything is being done to keep this image that way.

While travelling, I also always look for places praised by other travellers for e.g. the sunrise or sunset. Many trips you book also include these kinds of moments. It sometimes feels a bit cliché but even those moments are part of it and are sometimes really magical!

How many days for Luang Prabang?

3 days you can definitely use to explore the city and its surroundings.

Before I take you to see the beautiful sunset on Mount Phou Si, we will of course explore the town of Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang market

You have the morning market which is of course most frequented by locals. Always worth watching the local life!

You also have the night market which is super for tourists and locals. I went there every night to eat in the side street for a euro. The whole main road is cordoned off every day and turned into a big market!

Tips for your visit – Travel Guide Luang Prabang

Early morning – Tips For Luang Prabang

Every early morning, the many monks walk through the streets of Luang Prabang to accept alms from locals.

If you go to watch this keep an appropriate distance and do not disturb them in their journey. Taking photos is of course allowed but do it from an appropriate distance and without flash.

Find local life in Luang Prabang too

Kuang Si Waterfall

This waterfall is known for its amazing bright blue colour! I also sought this one out in the morning and found it really super to walk around it. The water has that amazing colour for a reason. It is ice and ice cold! I didn’t venture into it for that reason…

But I can imagine wanting to swim in this amazing spot!

You can easily book a trip to this beautiful waterfall or take a taxi yourself. If you book a trip with a local travel agency, you will also visit a village along the way.

Read more about it – Tips for Luang Prabang – The Bright Blue Kuang Si Waterfall
Book your trip to Kuang Si Waterfall and then you’ll also grab the next caves on this list.

Pak Ou Caves

Just half an hour’s boat ride down the Mekong River you will find these caves. The boating is already fun, of course, and then into the caves that are brimming with Buddha statues.

Cookingclass at Tamnak Lao

Really, a cooking class is always super to do. You learn about local produce and gain insight into how to use it. Of all the classes I ever took, I took a little bit of it home with me. I love that! Also, you always get a booklet with all the recipes so that you can recreate what you have learned at home!

Travel Guide Luang Prabang!
I took the cooking class at Tamnak Lao Restaurant and I found it really super educational and fun!

Also book a cooking class in Luang Prabang

Visiting Temples

There are many temples to visit. Quite a few are accessible from the main street and are well worth a visit. You can already start with the temple opposite Phu Si mountain called Wat May Souvannapoumaram. If you go for a walk around Luang Prabang, you will come across temples everywhere and feast your eyes.

This temple was located a little further away from the main road.

Royal Palace

Also opposite Phu Si Mountain, you will find the imposing building, the royal palace. It is definitely worth going inside and learning a little about the background of the royals of Laos.

Across the road sits one of the Luang Prabang sights namely the Royal Palace and, of course, another Buddhist temple. This temple is Haw Pha Bang. I used the afternoon to visit these two places.

Buddhist Temple Haw Pha Bang

Sunset on Mount Phu Si – Luang Prabang

En aan het eind van zo’n mooie dag in Luang Prabang zoek je een plekje bij de Mekong rivier of op Mount Phu Si voor een geweldige zonsondergang.

And that is exactly what I did. At the end of the afternoon, I bought a ticket to go up Mount Phu Si. (Also written as Phousi) The ticket cost me 10,000 Kip which is about 2 euros (2012 price) If you know how much it costs now I’m curious to know. Online that is hard to find.

An active & healthy end to your day

There are several ways to get to the top. I chose the one on the main road. It says you go up another 190 steps from here but in my memory there were a bit more. Here you have a a viewpoint of the town of Luang Prabang and then you may go up 138 more steps for the temple What Chom Si.

There is also a nice route on the other side, this one offering more views of the surroundings.

A sunset really shouldn’t be missed in Luang Prabang

Travel Guide Luang Prabang

I got there early so I still had the place pretty much to myself. I picked a nice spot to watch the sunset from. Even without the sun already setting, it is a beautiful view.

Nam Khan river

Be aware that it is not a spot where you can go and watch the sunset quietly and alone. This place is described everywhere and so lots of people come up around this time to enjoy the view. I heard people everywhere talking about the sunset from Phu Si Mountain.

Phu Si is a hill in the middle of this super cute UNESCO town of Luang Prabang. The hill is 100 metres high and it is a local religious site. In fact, there is a temple on the hill and several Buddhist statues and sacrificial sites.

On top of Phu Si mountain, I spent an hour waiting. The view was super so I didn’t mind very much. I had something to drink and eat with me. There is obviously no shop on the mountain so that is something you have to consider. The mountain started to fill up and when the time finally came, the mountain was filled with tourists trying to catch a glimpse of the sunset.

This is a great view, isn’t it?

Most beautiful sunset in Luang Prabang

I thought it was definitely worth hiking up. It’s not that super high with only about 100 metres and with 35 degrees, it’s worth taking your time. Otherwise you’ll get to the top so sweaty 🙂

The temple standing on the mountain is nice but definitely not worth walking up for. It’s more that it stands in a great location. From inside the temple, you still had nice vistas to the outside which of course makes it very nice!

I thought it was a great way to end a wonderful day in Luang Prabang!

My tip if you also want to enjoy Luang Prabang’s most beautiful sunset. Then go up in time. As you can see below, it can get quite crowded.

The many tourists watching the sunset.

I also walked down a little earlier so I didn’t get caught in the crowd 🙂

Of course, you can also book a wonderfully relaxing Mekong Cruise.

Where to stay in Luang Prabang?

Looking for a fine hotel where you can sit outside in a green oasis of tranquillity? Then check out Golden Sun Boutique. Right in the centre of Luang Prabang but still a nice quiet spot.

Would you really like a pool at your hotel? Then check out Villa Oasis. A lovely pool and super nice hotel which can also be found in the centre of Luang Prabang. They also have bicycles there that you can use to explore the town. I did this too and found it super convenient. And, of course, is always fun to do too!

Save these tips for your trip

Also see these Laos tips

Tubing in Vang Vieng – Laos

The Mysterious Plain of Jars – Phonsavan

 Visit the Bright Blue Kuang Si Waterfall – Luang Prabang, Laos

Travel Guide Pakse – Laos / What to do near Pakse – Bolaven Plateau