Although well known for its myriad golden temples, Luang Prabang also offers a host of other treats, from colonial restaurants and charming cafés to breathtaking natural wonders.

 

Luang Prabang is quiet and low-key, which makes it a great spot to enjoy lots of long lunches and indulgent dinners. Start with the many cute French bakeries around town, most sporting colonial architecture. Le Banneton (Sisavang Vong Rd., across from Wat Sop Sickharam temple) has so many travellers lounging outside eating crusty baguettes you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Paris in the summertime. The Lao coffee is thick, strong and served black or with sweetened condensed milk (from 12,000 kip/B48).

 

Obviously you need to sample some traditional Lao food during your visit, which has similarities to both Thai and Chinese cuisines. Grab a spot on the wide wooden balcony at restaurant and cooking school Tamnak Lao (Sakkaline Rd., +8 56 7125-2525), order up some say ua kway, a traditional spicy Lao buffalo sausage (35,000 kip/B140) and ask for a pot of their jeowbong—an intense green chili dip that packs a serious punch. For dinner, head to relaxed, open-air Misaiphon Restaurant (Phu Vao Rd., +8 56 7121-2888) to catch a performance of traditional Lao dance and music. Try the whole fish with herbs (55,000 kip/B220), which is perfectly moist and cooked in a fragrant mix of peanuts, lime and lemongrass. If you really want to push the boat out, enjoy the town’s French cultural legacy with a meal at fine dining restaurant L’Eléphant (Vat Nong, +8 56 7125-2482). The setting is open, elegant and airy, the food rich and flavorsome and the wine list one of the most extensive in town. Try one of the set menus (from 127,000kip/B580) for items like coq au vin and tarte tartin with warm apple, mango and pineapple.

 

 

 

 

 

Luang Prabang is so chill it borders on sleepy, so you’re hardest partying will probably be sipping a quiet beer. Your best bet is along Sisavang Vong Road near the center of town. Le Tangor Bar and Lounge (Sisavang Vong Rd., +8 56 7126-0761) is an expat hangout with dark lighting, soft jazz and a wide veranda, while Coconut Garden (directly across the road) serves Lao food and cold drinks in an open courtyard space dotted with palm trees and white umbrellas. Just remember the local curfew means bars start winding down around 11pm and close at 11:30pm on the dot.

We stayed at the swanky Le Palais Juliana Hotel (Chao Phetsalath, +8 56 7126-0417), a gorgeous resort-style property outside of town with rooms overlooking the pool and gardens. Prices start from US$189 per night (B6,000). For something more central, Villa Santi (Sakkarine Road, +8 56 7125-2157) is a beautiful colonial building with wide open rooms and shuttered windows in the heart of the temple district, making it a good spot to catch the early morning almsgiving. Prices start from US$128 (B4,000) per night.

 

 

Do

Bangkok Airways flies twice daily to Luang Prabang at 9:40am and 15:05pm.

Round-trip starts from B10,350. Thai Airways flies to Luang Prabang five times a week.

Prices start at B9,465 for a return.

Thais don’t need a visa for stays of up to 30 days but you need to go with a passport.

Citizens from most other countries can get a visa-on-arrival for B1,000 (you’ll need a passport photo, too).

The official currency in Laos is the Laotian Kip (LAK)

but the majority of shops and businesses will accept Thai baht or US dollars.

 

B1 = 250 kip

 

Save the Date

Feb 3

April 14-16

Early May

 

Temple Tour