Luang Prabang Travel Guide

Luang Prabang (Lao: ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ, pronounced Loo-ang pah-bang and also spelled Louangphrabang) is the former capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage city.

Luang Prabang International Airport is a visa-on-arrival and e-Visa entry point. SeeLaos#Get infor details.

Luang Prabang's Old Town is only about 1.5km long and 500 meters wide, which makes it small enough to comfortably cover on foot, and this is in fact the only way to climb Phousi Hill. The city is also quite flat, which makes cycling an attractive option, although the ever-increasing traffic makes this dangerous at times.

Scooter accidents are common amongst tourists in Luang Prabang.Do not rent a scooter here if you are not experienced. The road to the Kuang Si falls is especially dangerous due to the deep pot-holes filled with loose material, sand on the road, and speeding drivers of tourist vans.

Luang Prabang has the best selection of accommodation in Laos, with something to suit every budget. There is everything from tent sites under a roof for 20,000 kip per night up to super luxury at US$1,500 per night. 300,000 kip (US$13) for a room seems to be the low end, as of late 2024.