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Luang Prabang

The former royal capital, on a peninsula between the Mekong and the Nam Khan. End of the slow boat from Huay Xai, two hours by train from Vientiane.

By Pierre-Marie Coupry · updated · sources

Huay Xai Pakbeng Luang Prabang Vientiane ← upstream downstream → Pakbeng Luang Prabang Vientiane
Laos section · km ≈ 2,890
Haw Pha Bang, the temple of the Royal Palace in Luang Prabang, lit up at nightfall

Photo by Mon Jester on Unsplash

Aerial view of Luang Prabang at sunset, a temple with golden roofs in the foreground and the Mekong behind

Photo by Shutterstock

The town of Luang Prabang among the trees, a river winding at the foot of the mountains

Photo by CJ on Unsplash

Two monks in saffron robes climb a white staircase among the trees

Photo by Deepavali Gaind on Unsplash

A long boat glides along the river, framed by branches with red blossoms

Photo by Hakan Nural on Unsplash

See all 17 photos
Sunset over the Mekong at Luang Prabang, boats moored near the bank

Photo by Teodor Kuduschiev on Unsplash

Longboats on the Nam Ou, below forested cliffs

Photo by Olivier Darny on Pexels

A white and gold temple with tiered roofs at the top of a staircase, under a blue sky

Photo by Life on the road on Unsplash

Golden stupas in front of a temple in Luang Prabang

Photo by Bo Pan on Unsplash

Tiered waterfalls in the forest near Luang Prabang

Photo by note thanun on Unsplash

Visitors on a wooden footbridge over a turquoise pool, a waterfall behind

Photo by Swapnil kulkarni on Unsplash

Luang Prabang seen from the top of Mount Phousi, the town among the trees and mountains in the distance

Photo by Colin Roe on Unsplash

Kuang Si Falls, the water dropping in tiers into turquoise pools

Photo by Hongbin on Unsplash

Buddha statues in a Pak Ou cave, open onto the Mekong

Photo by Shutterstock

The tiered roofs of Vat Xieng Thong and a stupa, under a blue sky

Photo by Hongbin on Unsplash

A boat on the river at sunset in Luang Prabang, the wooded bank behind

Photo by Andrey Zvyagintsev on Unsplash

The bamboo bridge on stilts across the Nam Khan, below a wooded bank

Photo by Shutterstock

See all 17 photos

Where on the river?
Left bank Where the Nam Khan joins the Mekong.
World Heritage?
Yes On UNESCO's list since 1995.
How many days?
3 days 4 with Kuang Si and Pak Ou.
When to go?
Nov → Feb Cool, dry season.
How to get there?
Slow boat Or train, or plane (LPQ).

The old town fits on a narrow strip of land a few streets wide. You can do everything on foot or by bike, and the river is never more than five minutes away. In the evening, the night market takes over the main street; in the morning, the town belongs to street kitchens and the boats crossing to Xieng Maen.

Things to do in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang seen from the top of Mount Phousi, the town among the trees and mountains in the distance

Photo by Colin Roe on Unsplash

Mount Phousi at sunset

Views over both rivers. Go up an hour early: the platform is small.

Kuang Si Falls, the water dropping in tiers into turquoise pools

Photo by Hongbin on Unsplash

Kuang Si Falls

Turquoise pools about thirty kilometers out, open for swimming; deep green water in the rainy season.

Buddha statues in a Pak Ou cave, open onto the Mekong

Photo by Shutterstock

The Pak Ou Caves by boat

Two hours up the Mekong to thousands of statues set into the cliff.

The tiered roofs of Vat Xieng Thong and a stupa, under a blue sky

Photo by Hongbin on Unsplash

Wat Xieng Thong

The town's best-known temple, at the tip of the peninsula, facing the confluence.

A boat on the river at sunset in Luang Prabang, the wooded bank behind

Photo by Andrey Zvyagintsev on Unsplash

Crossing to Xieng Maen

The local ferry to the right bank, its villages and its uncrowded temples.

The bamboo bridge on stilts across the Nam Khan, below a wooded bank

Photo by Shutterstock

The bamboo bridge over the Nam Khan

Rebuilt every dry season, washed away by the flood. Gone from about June to October.

Tak bat, the morning alms: it is a religious ritual, not a show. Keep your distance, no flash, and only give if you follow the custom.

Where to stay in Luang Prabang

The peninsula to walk everywhere, by the Nam Khan or near the night market; farther up the Nam Khan, a quiet resort with a pool.

The wooden building of My Dream Boutique Resort at dusk, its restaurant lit up, with a lawn and coconut palms

Photo: My Dream Boutique Resort

My Dream Boutique Resort

Ban Meung Nga · Nam Khan riverside, off the peninsula

A resort with an outdoor pool, a spa, bikes for rent and a free airport shuttle.

≈ $89 a night

Check availability on Booking Affiliate link
A wooden terrace at Maison Dalabua, two armchairs facing the tropical garden and a lotus pond

Photo: Maison Dalabua

Maison Dalabua

Ban That Luang · lotus ponds

A garden of lotus ponds, a pool and a spa, a five-minute walk from the night market and the Royal Palace.

≈ $212 a night

Check availability on Booking Affiliate link
The wooden facade of Burasari Heritage, with its sign behind a hedge and a vintage car parked on the street

Photo: Burasari Heritage

Burasari Heritage

Old town · Nam Khan riverside

Colonial-style rooms, each with a terrace over the Nam Khan, plus a restaurant and a spa, steps from the temples.

≈ $194 a night

Check availability on Booking Affiliate link

Booking affiliate links · average nightly price checked in October 2026

Getting to and from Luang Prabang

THAILANDLAOSLuang PrabangHuay XaiPakbengNong KhiawPak Ou CavesKuang Si FallsNatural Earth LAOSLuang PrabangPakbengNong KhiawPak OuKuang SiNatural Earth
Solid line: slow boat. Diamonds: sights. Base map: Natural Earth.

By river, from upstream

Slow boat · Huay Xai → Pakbeng → Luang Prabang · 2 days

6 to 8 hours on the boat each day, overnight in Pakbeng. Expect about 400,000 LAK one way at the Huay Xai ticket office. The boat docks about 9 km from town, near Souphanouvong University.

Our guide to the Huay Xai – Luang Prabang slow boat →

Downstream, by train

Luang Prabang → Vang Vieng → Vientiane · 239 km

Six trains a day: 1 h 46 to 2 h 20 on a fast train, close to 3 hours on the slow one. The station is about fifteen kilometers from the center. No regular boat to Vientiane: the train has replaced the river on this stretch.

Tickets and schedules on 12Go Affiliate link

By plane

Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ)

No nonstop flights from the US: connect in Bangkok, Hanoi or Singapore. The airport is 4 km from the center; taxis leave from a fixed-price counter, and tuk-tuks can't pick up passengers there.

Schedules and prices checked in October 2026; check again before you go.

Luang Prabang weather and best time to visit

November to February: dry, with cool mornings. March and April: heat and smoke from crop burning. May to October: the monsoon, a high river and a green town.

Climate and Mekong water level in Luang Prabang, month by month
Month J (current month) F (current month) M (current month) A (current month) M (current month) J (current month) J (current month) A (current month) S (current month) O (current month) N (current month) D (current month)
Airhigh / low
Rainmm
20
10
35
82
142
179
288
313
195
71
23
20
Daysof rain 3261220232628231253
Mekonglevel Low Low Low Low Low Rising Rising High High Falling Low Low
Our take Ideal Ideal Fair Fair Fair Fair Difficult Difficult Fair Good Ideal Ideal
Climate and Mekong water level in Luang Prabang, month by month
Month Low – high mm River
Jan (current month) 20 Low
Feb (current month) 10 Low
Mar (current month) 35 Low
Apr (current month) 82 Low
May (current month) 142 Low
Jun (current month) 179 Rising
Jul (current month) 288 Rising
Aug (current month) 313 High
Sep (current month) 195 High
Oct (current month) 71 Falling
Nov (current month) 23 Low
Dec (current month) 20 Low
Air and rain: Open-Meteo, archive ERA5, 1991-2020 averages (retrieved October 11, 2026). Mekong level: Mekong River Commission, Luang Prabang station, median of 2020-2025, 2.9 m between the lowest and highest months. The current month is outlined.
Best time to visit Laos, month by month →

Tours to book in Luang Prabang

4 tours to book in Luang Prabang

Affiliate links GetYourGuide · Prices checked October 9, 2026

  • Pak Ou Caves cruise and Kuang Si Falls

    • 9 hours
    • Small group or private
    • 4.8/5 · 2,360 reviews

    from$52

    Availability

  • Afternoon at Kuang Si Falls and sunset cruise

    • 5 hours
    • 4.6/5 · 346 reviews

    from$35

    Availability

  • Guided tour of the UNESCO-listed town

    • 4.5 hours to 1 day
    • Small group or private
    • 4.6/5 · 237 reviews

    from$32

    Availability

  • Evening cooking class and baci ceremony

    Top rated
    • 4 hours
    • Small group, 6 max
    • 4.9/5 · 176 reviews

    from$51

    Availability

Luang Prabang FAQ

How many days should you spend in Luang Prabang?
Three days for the town, Mount Phousi and Kuang Si. A fourth for Pak Ou and the right bank.
How do you buy a train ticket to Vientiane?
Sales open 7 days before departure. At the station you need every traveler's passport and must pay in kip; the LCR Ticket app also takes Visa cards. In high season, buy as soon as sales open: trains fill up fast.
Can you swim at Kuang Si in the rainy season?
Usually, yes: Tourism Laos says most pools are open for swimming, and the site stays open all year. The water is then green or brown, and on flood days some trails and pools may close for safety. Entry is 60,000 kip, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Should you book your hotel ahead in December?
Yes. December is the month Laos gets the most long-haul visitors: 103,993 in December 2024, according to the tourism ministry. Book several weeks ahead, especially over the holidays.

Sources: climate, Open-Meteo (ERA5 archive, 1991-2020 averages); train, Seat61 (June 2026) and the LCR Ticket app; slow boat, airport and Kuang Si, Luang Prabang tourism office (July 2024) and checks in October 2026; visitor numbers, 2024 statistics of the Lao tourism ministry. Updated October 12, 2026 by Pierre-Marie Coupry.

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