Things to do in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is a green town set in a curve of the river Mekong. It is very pleasant to stroll around the town, particularly in the evening when the main street is often transformed into a walking street market.
The town surrounds a little hill, which has a nice temple on top. The view from the temple over the city and the surrounding countryside is very worth the climb up. The climb up 'Phou Si' though is quite steep though, so climbing up in the evening cool weather makes it the perfect place to watch a sunset.
The main sites in the town centre are firstly 'Haw Kham', the former royal palace, and also Vat Xieng Toung a splendid old monastry situated in towards the middle of town.
Pak Ou Caves
Leaving the town on a short day trip, the first port of call has to be Pak Ou Caves, also known as 'Buddha Cave'. The caves are home to thousands of Buddha images left by pilgrim Buddhists for centuries. The entire day trip takes in scenic views of the Mekong river and a visit to local Whiskey Villages. Read a full report of what you can expect from the trip here.
Kuang Si Falls
Also definitely worth a day trip away from the town is Kuang Si Falls, about 30km from the town center. Remember to take your swimming suits, as you'll not be able to resist a dip in the nice cool running water. The waterfall has many levels, with many fantastic bathing pools, so you can easily pass a day relaxing in the water. The most impressive fall is at the top, so don't waste all your time swimming in the lower falls.
