Kuang Si Falls
Multi-tiered waterfall in forest south of town, with turquoise pools where visitors can swim. A path leads past the lower pools to the main fall, and a bear rescue centre sits near the entrance.
Luang Prabang
Kuang Si waterfalls, night markets, golden temples and morning alms-giving by monks are found in this UNESCO-listed town.
Attractive locations
Wat Xieng Thong
Sixteenth-century temple near the Mekong and one of the finest in Luang Prabang. Its sweeping roofs, gold stencil work and a glass mosaic of the tree of life are highlights. Dress modestly.
Royal Palace Museum
Former royal residence from the early twentieth century, now a museum. Rooms show throne halls, royal gifts and furnishings, and the grounds include a temple built for the revered Phra Bang image.
Phou Si
Small hill in the middle of the old town, climbed by steps to a gilded stupa and shrines. It is a favourite spot at sunset, with views across the rivers, rooftops and mountains.
Pak Ou Caves
Two limestone caves above the Mekong, packed with thousands of small Buddha statues left by worshippers. The usual way to visit is a boat trip upriver from town.
Airports
Luang Phabang International Airport LPQ
It is about 4 km in a straight line from Luang Prabang.
Oudomsay Airport ODY
It is about 89 km in a straight line from Luang Prabang.
Xieng Khouang Airport XKH
It is about 118 km in a straight line from Luang Prabang.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan18.9 °C14 mm
- Feb21.5 °C6 mm
- Mar24.1 °C31 mm
- Apr26.3 °C61 mm
- May26.4 °C121 mm
- Jun26.0 °C116 mm
- Jul25.0 °C219 mm
- Aug24.6 °C234 mm
- Sep24.5 °C127 mm
- Oct23.7 °C55 mm
- Nov21.2 °C23 mm
- Dec18.5 °C12 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Dec. Wettest months: Jul, Aug, Sep.
Costs
Prices here are about 22% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
culture
Lao New Year (Pi Mai)
Luang Prabang offers the nicest setting to watch the water festival and processions.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 191. Fire 190. Ambulance 195.
local government
Tourism Marketing and Promotion Department (Ministry of Culture and Tourism)
Helps with: Lao government department that runs the tourismlaos.org website. Its contact details are given on the site's Before You Go page for tourism enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Laos or planning a trip there.
Phone: +856-21-212248
Address: Lane Xang Avenue, Hatsadi Village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Lao PDR
Helps with: The UN migration agency, working in Laos since 2002. It gives humanitarian help to migrants, displaced people and returnees and supports the government on migration management.
Who qualifies: Migrants, displaced people and returnees. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +856 21 26 77 95
Email: iomlaopdr@iom.int
Address: UN House, 3rd Floor, Lane Xang Avenue, Vientiane
local government
Police emergency number 1191
Helps with: Reaches the police in Laos. The number comes from UK government travel advice, which also lists 021 251 128 for the tourist police in Vientiane.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 1191
local government
Ambulance emergency number 1195
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Laos. UK government travel advice also lists 030 525 7239 for the ambulance.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 1195
local government
Fire emergency number 1190
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Laos. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 1190