I visited Luang Prabang and this city reminds me of Hoi An in Vietnam, but 20 years ago. Accessibility to the country is limited which makes Laos more appealing to foreigners. Many airlines haven’t opened flights directly to LP from major cities. The most popular way to fly there and one of the only routes is through Cambodia; however, this will change soon. So definitely try and visit before this romantic, quiet mountain village becomes commercialized! This city, with its french influence, is a small village surrounded by mountains and has the mekong river running along its border. There are beautiful french cafes and hotels along the river with the most delicious croissants and coffee. Three to four days is plenty of time to see everything.
HOTEL:
*Belmond La Residence-This hotel features an infinity pool, french restaurant, beautiful spa, cooking classes, monk blessings and organized outings. It is only 2 km from the center of town and 4 km to the airport.
*Shinta Mani– This beautiful 5 star hotel has it all, a hill top pool, restaurants, fitness center, free shuttle and also free bike rentals and a spa. Riding a bike around the the city is a great way to see it all. The hotel is 20 minutes from the airport and 5/10 minutes from the center.
SIGHTS:
*Weaving Village: If you are interested in textiles, a few kilometers east of LP is the Ban Xang Khong weaving village. You can take a tuk tuk there; however, it can be difficult to find (near a shop called Ock Pop Tok on the river) . There are many homes to visit but Lao Silk Handicrafts shows the Ikat process of fabric dyeing. You can purchase handwoven silks and beautiful Indigo textiles.
*Kuangsi Waterfall– There are many waterfalls but they say the Kuang Si falls are the most beautiful. If you only choose one outing in LP, I would choose this one. It takes about 45 minutes to drive there but it is definitely worth the trek. Once there, you can hike around the falls and even swim in the pristine blue pools. There is also a cafe on the way up that you can have a coffee or snack. At the bottom there is a bear sanctuary and butterfly park to visit. The color of the water is spectacular! Try and go in the morning when it is less crowded.
*Buddhist Alms Giving Ceremony– This is such a special and unique experience, a must do when visiting LP. As the sun rises in Luang Prabang around 700 Buddhist monks depart from their various temples to gather their daily meal. 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 (usually the hotel provides this to their guests). The idea of the alms giving is for the Buddhist monks to make merit and also to collect food for their one meal of the day. Arrive around 5:30 as the monks usually show just before 6 as the sun rises. Be respectful: shoes should be off, kneeling, shoulders and legs covered, do not touch or speak to the monks and no eye contact. The best spot: take the main street in town to the roundabout and head east from the roundabout a few blocks down.
*Morning and Night Market- The morning market starts at 8 a.m. and the night market starts at 5 p.m.. You can find it all there from fruits, vegetables, spices and meat to strange insects including worms, larvae, crickets and grasshoppers. My absolute favorite food to try were these gelatinous coconut cakes called khao nom kok! They are made there and are warm and delicious! Also try the rice crepes filled with pork that are made in steamers.
*Elephant Village Sanctuary– I did not have a chance to visit here but have heard good things. It is 15 km from LP and is a sanctuary for rescued Lao elephants, many are disabled. Excursions are offered through Tiger Trail Outdoor Adventures and offer a half-day to a full day tour.
*Mekong River Cruise– This famous river flows through six countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Viet Nam. There are a variety of cruise operators that can take you for either a short day cruise or over night cruises.
FOOD:
*3 Nagas– This restaurant is a french colonial heritage house with two dining areas that serves local Lao french fusion food. It is part of a boutique hotel and you can’t miss it because it always has a red vintage car in front.
*Tamarind Restaurant-This place is an institution in LP serving local fresh food. Make a reservation.
*Le Elephant Vert– A raw vegan restaurant that gets great reviews!
*The Apsara- An old rice warehouse that has been transformed into a boutique hotel and restaurant. You can dine al fresco along the mekong river and prices are reasonable.
*525 Bar- This place is a must if you are looking for an after dinner drink!! I think it is one of the only bars in town that is open past 11 p.m.. The manager, Nicolas Calvert, will create some amazing unique cocktails and this bar has a spectacular selection of liquors, tequilas and spirits. Also great ambience!
SHOPPING:
*Anakha-the Blue House– Based out of a colonial house, this boutique sells beautiful fabrics, bedding, clothes, ceramics, etc., but it is pricey!!!
*CAMA Crafts- is a non-profit, self-help project that markets handicrafts made by Lao artisans, providing a sustainable method of income for village women that may otherwise be unavailable.
*Phai Pradith Shop-specilalises in hand-made bamboo or “mai phai” products.
**We also visited Lao Friends Hospital for Children in LP which was built by Friends Without A Border, a U.S. based NGO, that has also opened Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap. The hospital is the only pediatric hospital in Laos and provides free services to all children. If you would like to support this organization, please visit: https://fwab.org/laos/