After our days in Nong Khiaw, we continued on to Luang Prabang. The city became a completely different stop compared to the smaller mountain villages we had visited earlier during the trip. Luang Prabang is a historic city with a mixture of traditional Lao culture, Buddhist temples, French colonial architecture and a relaxed pace of life.
The first thing that struck me when we arrived was how different the city felt compared to many other larger cities in Southeast Asia. Even though Luang Prabang is one of Laos' most popular tourist destinations, the pace is still quite relaxed.
The city's location between the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River also adds a lot to the atmosphere. You can walk around large parts of the city centre and always be close to the river, small streets, restaurants and temples.
One of the biggest highlights was all the temples. Luang Prabang has many Buddhist temples, and it is difficult to walk through the city centre without coming across a beautiful temple complex.
Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most famous temples and was definitely worth a visit. The architecture, details and decorated walls really show how unique the Lao temple style is.
Another thing that is strongly associated with Luang Prabang is the night market. In the evening, the streets fill with vendors selling local handicrafts, clothes, souvenirs and different types of food.
It is a perfect place to walk around after dinner. We walked among the stalls, looked at the handicrafts and tried different local dishes.
Food was a big part of the experience in Luang Prabang. There are both traditional Lao dishes and restaurants with influences from neighbouring countries. Of course, sticky rice, different noodle dishes and local specialities were things we ate several times.
One of the best days was when we travelled out to Kuang Si Falls. The waterfalls are located a short distance outside Luang Prabang and are one of the most famous natural attractions in the area.
The water is incredibly turquoise and flows down through several different levels. There are places where you can swim, and it was very nice to be able to cool down after walking around in the heat.
If you are in Luang Prabang, I definitely think Kuang Si Falls is worth spending half a day or a full day exploring. The nature around the waterfalls is just as beautiful as the waterfalls themselves.
We also wanted to experience the city from another perspective and spent some time down by the Mekong River. The river is an important part of life in the area, and it is very relaxing to sit by the water and watch the boats passing by.
After a few days in Luang Prabang, the next part of the journey started to feel especially exciting. The next stop would be Chiang Rai in Thailand, and instead of flying, we chose to do one of the most special journeys of the trip – taking a slowboat along the Mekong River.
The slowboat journey from Laos towards Thailand was something I had really been looking forward to. Instead of simply getting from point A to point B, the transportation itself became an experience.
The boat travels along the Mekong River and the landscape is constantly changing. You pass green mountains, small villages and areas where people live close to the river.
The journey takes time, but that is also the whole point. You sit on board, look out over the landscape and let time pass. After all the fast transportation during the trip, it was quite nice to simply sit down and enjoy the view.
The slowboat journey is usually divided over two days with an overnight stay in Pakbeng. This makes the journey feel more like an adventure than ordinary transportation.
The first day was spent on the Mekong River while the landscape slowly changed. When we arrived in Pakbeng in the evening, it was time to find accommodation and have dinner before the next part of the journey.
On day two, we continued by slowboat further north. The landscape was still fantastic, and it was a special feeling knowing that we were slowly getting closer to Thailand.
Eventually, we reached the border area and continued towards Chiang Rai. The slowboat journey therefore became more than just transportation – it became one of the experiences I will remember best from Laos.
Luang Prabang therefore became the perfect ending to our journey through Laos. We experienced nature, temples, food and culture before leaving the country in a truly adventurous way.
The next stop was Chiang Rai in Thailand – after two days on the Mekong River.
These are my favourites and tips from Luang Prabang
I recommend staying close to the old town. This gives you walking distance to temples, restaurants, the night market and the Mekong River.
💰 Price level: $–$$Luang Prabang is perfect for slow breakfasts and coffee breaks. Look for a café on a quiet street and take your time before heading out on the day's excursions.
💰 Price level: $1. Kuang Si Falls – Amazing turquoise waterfalls and one of the best nature experiences around Luang Prabang.
2. Wat Xieng Thong – One of the city's most beautiful and famous temples.
3. Night Market – Perfect for buying souvenirs, local handicrafts and trying different dishes.
4. Mekong River – Sit by the river in the evening and enjoy the view and peaceful atmosphere.
5. Old Town – Walk around among the temples and historic architecture.
6. Slowboat – If you are continuing towards Thailand, I strongly recommend taking the slowboat instead of flying.
We took the slowboat from Luang Prabang towards Thailand. The journey travels along the Mekong River and is usually divided over two days with an overnight stay in Pakbeng.
It takes significantly longer than flying, but the journey itself is part of the experience. The landscape along the river is fantastic.
💰 Price level: $$After two days on the Mekong River, we continued into Thailand and onwards to Chiang Rai.
It became the beginning of the next part of the journey and a new country after travelling around Laos.
💰 Price level: $–$$Luang Prabang is a really good place to try traditional Lao food. Sticky rice, noodles and different local dishes can be found almost everywhere.
The night market is also a great option if you want to try several different things during the same evening.
💰 Price level: $If you want to take the slowboat towards Thailand, it is a good idea to plan the journey in advance. Keep in mind that it is a long journey and that you will need to stay overnight along the way.
Bring water, snacks, a power bank and something comfortable to use during the journey.