Things to do in Luang Prabang
This popular tourist city, Luang Prabang, is jam-packed with things to see and do, making it one of Southeast Asia's most renowned ‘little towns'. It was the capital of Laos until this title was taken by Vientiane, but to this day, no other city in the region can match the untapped beauty and serene atmosphere of Luang Prabang.
Tourism is the most important financial resource for the city, but even though hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to this settlement every year, Luang Prabang has been able to control the pressures for development, and continued following a largely traditional culture. However, the general Luang Prabang hotel does contain some of the modern amenities western tourists are used to.
Nevertheless, visitors will be enticed by the vast amount of activities and attractions located within and around the city of Luang Prabang. There are so many cultural and spiritual events on offer within Luang Prabang.
Giving of Alms: each morning, at the crack of dawn, the local monks parade through the city to receive their daily offerings. Local hotels and guesthouses can arrange for food and other items required if Buddhist or non-Buddhist travellers would like to participate in the daily ceremony. Otherwise, wake-up calls can be made for those visitors interested in seeing this ceremony.
Ock Pop Tok Culture Centre: visitors can take part in traditional weaving practices and other cultural activities at the Ock Pop Tok Craft Centre. Here, tourists can experience true bamboo or textile weaving, and witness traditional cultural events. The centre is just two kilometres from the centre of Luang Prabang, and is certainly worthy of half a day.
Cooking classes: there is no better way to enjoy the taste of local Laos's cuisine then by cooking it yourself…or at least attempting to cook it yourself. There are plenty of cooking classes at some of the biggest restaurants in town. For a small price, most of the classes provide ingredients, equipment, a chef, and sometimes a recipe book for participants to take home.
Vipassana Temple: for those tourists who are fascinated by Buddhist culture, joining the Alms Ceremony every morning is only the cream of the crop in Luang Prabang. The Vipassana Temple is a golden structure located close to the city. Here, monks practice Vipassana meditation, so if visiting the area, local rules must be adhered to, and noise has to be at a minimum.
Night market: like most other major cities in Southeast Asia, Luang Prabang does have an interesting might market. Here, vendors sell the typical merchandise one would expect from a night bazaar, including traditional crafts, arts, clothes, souvenirs and food. Be wary that some of the souvenirs may be made from endangered animals. Unlike Bangkok or Chiang Mai in Thailand, Luang Prabang's night markets close at 21:00 to adhere to the strict 23:00 curfew rules in the city.
Kuang Si Falls: situated just outside the city lies the fabulous Kuang Si waterfall, which is probably one of the most visited natural attractions in town. It is quite beautiful, and with the high number of tourists visiting everyday, it is quite easy to make new friends while bathing in the many waterholes around the waterfall.
Pak Ou Caves: located about an hour from the city of Luang Prabang, the Pak Ou Caves are one of the most interesting natural landmarks in Laos. Commonly known as the Buddha Caves, these rock caves are magnificent, but the upper cave is not for the faint hearted.
Trekking: there are a number of trails and tours to go trekking through the surrounding countryside of Luang Prabang. Fair Trek Project is a popular tour that focuses on the outside villages, offering traditional experiences for tourists and income for the poor villages.
About the Author
Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Luang Prabang Hotels content.
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