Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Luang Prabang
THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in Luang Prabang
Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Luang Prabang
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68 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges
Lessons & Workshops • Educational sites
Speciality & Gift Shops • Visitor Centres
What travellers are saying
- RamblingRamblerLondon, England311 contributionsIt's a ways away from town (nearly an hour drive from my hotel), but for me this was one of the highlights of my trip: the falls are really spectacular, and I really enjoyed swimming in the water pools, although they're fairly cold. It's a bit more crowded than the Tat Sae falls, but I would say also more impressive, and there's the added benefit of a really cool bear reserve, as well as an elephant sanctuary you can visit nearby, making the trip more than worth the effort.Written 30 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Patrick GMarina del Rey, CA10 contributionsAlways impressed with the Buddhist temples in Thailand and Laos, and certainly this one does not disappoint. Some great photo ops inside. Skip the Royal "Palace" and come here instead if time is short.Written 25 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- lagrandfromage24 contributionsA small but very powerful display which shows very objectively the devastation wrought on individuals, families, communities, and the economies of countries. As a Brit, I'm ashamed to say I was unaware of this amazing organisation. It does fantastic work all over the world and deserves significant support.Written 17 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rayhan M9 contributionsWe spent 3 nights in Luang Prabang during our trip to Laos and did almost a day just walking around to explore the city. Very nice place to visit.Written 29 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Miles ArcherBoca Raton, FL7,616 contributionsThere's hiking to do, which suited me just fine. I enjoyed the exercise. It was not too busy when I was here. Nice weather.Written 29 January 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ljpereAuckland, New Zealand60 contributionsThis is a great place to pick up a few souvenirs and try some street food. Lots of choices of food and big seated area at one end. The smallholders were friendly without being pushy and great place to people watch and enjoy the atmosphere.Written 1 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Patrick GMarina del Rey, CA10 contributionsMust visit if you are going to the falls. Some cool, gentle butterflies and an interesting pond with fish that nibble on your feet. Watch out for some spider webs!Written 25 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JammaxyHorsham, UK22 contributionsSpent the 2nd week in May in Luang Prabang. Temperature was up in the 40s with high humidity so not much in the way of hiking done. Used a bicycle to get around the town. The north end had the more expensive bars/hotels/restaurants.
Food from the night market was great.
The Laos people are so nice and laid back. Do you know that having spent 3 weeks in Laos…. We never heard a single car or scooter horn!!!!!!! Love itWritten 12 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Miles ArcherBoca Raton, FL7,616 contributionsThe waterfalls here are braided and stepped. It's very scenic. I have an affinity for traveling to view falls, which I've done in several countries.Written 29 January 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Patrick GMarina del Rey, CA10 contributionsWorth experience if you can get up just before dawn. Somehow we were able to do that even though we both like to sleep in. One of the best ways to feel like you are part of their community, and support their culture. Although we both bought sticky rice for the monks from local merchants, you might want to explore other ways of giving.Written 25 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- kotovamTunis, Tunisia17 contributionsTo tell you the truth, i didn't cross the bridge, not because i was scared or something, but because of time limit. I have arrived there early morning and the view of this place was just amazing. Took my best pictures and video! Very lovely stop, don't miss itWritten 5 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Steve BuckleyLondon, UK6,301 contributionsMy wife and myself are currently holidaying in Luang Prabang staying at the excellent Avani Hotel (Review to follow) and early this morning (after giving the Monk their alms) we visited the nearby Morning Market which by 0700 hours was in full swing.
The market is mainly full of a wide range of foods tipoffs but a whole host of other products. It is certainly popular and a great way to immerse yourself into the Lao Culture.
Strongly recommended!Written 9 March 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - OrderintheHouseBrisbane2,810 contributionsIn January 2020, my wife and I visited great sights in Laos including a number of very imposing, ornate Buddhist temples,during our short 5 day private Wendy Wu “Laos in Focus” tour arranged through Asia DMC Laos.
One of these temples was Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham or simply Wat Mai, adjacent to the National Museum in Luang Prabang. It is one of Luang Prabang’s largest and richly decorated temples. Its interior and exterior make good use of black and red lacquer decoration and gold leaf. Its origins date back to 1780. It was used by Laos Royalty and it is one of the few temples to survive the destruction by Chinese invaders in 1887.
The centrepiece of the temple complex is the large sim (ordination hall) highlighted by its intricate gilded stucco bas reliefs. It has a five tiered roof extending almost to the ground. We particularly liked one of the verandas added on to the original structure in 1821 containing very intricate gilded stucco bas reliefs made in the 1960’s. The reliefs depict scenes from the Ramayana (one of the two major Sanskrit (old Indo-Aryan language) epics of ancient India) and the Jatakas (any of the extremely popular stories of former lives of the Buddha) and scenes of every day life in Luang Prabang. These gilded reliefs were absolutely stunning and pleasing to the eye. We also noted the large black and gold stencilled columns supporting the veranda’s roof.
Inside the sim is a magnificent large gilded seated Buddha image in the meditation position. It is surrounded by a large number of smaller images in various mudras (hand gestures). It is a very beautiful, appealing presentation.
There were other buildings scattered about the complex including two smaller structures at the entrance which had three small gilded Buddha images in front on plinths – one in the standing position in the middle and the two at the side in the seated meditation position. These images complimented these two structures admirably. Our time here was around 30 minutes and while we would have liked to have stayed longer, our tour guide showed enough for us to realise that this is indeed a very fine temple.
Earlier in the morning we had visited the equally impressive Wat Xieng Thong followed by the National Museum. Our visit to Wat Mai completed a pleasing Lao religious and cultural trilogy.Written 2 July 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - LowderjNewcastle upon Tyne, UK11 contributionsPop in and buy Childrens books which they then donate to village schools .. lovely way to give back locallyWritten 30 March 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ZoéDubai, United Arab Emirates165 contributionsIt was my son’s 14th and so we had decided to treat him to zip lining through the jungle. When we went to book online we found a cooking course for the rest of us. The van came to pick us up from our hotel and took us there. Our journey was memorable as it was a street with hundreds of pot holes! When we got to the park my son was taken off for his adventure and joined us later to continue cooking. We were really pleased that he was just allowed to join in. The cooking class was so amazing. We often do these classes when we travel abroad but this was in a league of its own. The setting was in a rustic outside area with real fires to cook with. The food was all prepared by us under careful instructions from the manager and his helpers. Everything was so fun. We chose from a small cook book that you get to keep. We made sticky rice, which I never knew was so laborious! Lots of dishes and then at the end of our cooking experience we ate by a waterfall! It was so incredible - if you get the chance you should definitely do it. After cooking we were able to walk around the grounds and go swimming in one of the lakes. It was the highlight of our trip.Written 4 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
