After spending time in Vietnam- exploring the bustling streets of Hanoi, taking day trips to Ninh Binh and Lan Ha Bay, and wandering through the mountains and terraced rice fields of Sapa– it was time to head to our second Southeast Asian country: Laos! Our first stop was Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its remarkably well-preserved old town, golden Buddhist temples, and blend of traditional Lao and French colonial architecture. It had a completely different feel from Vietnam, and we loved slowing down and soaking it all in. Keep reading to learn about our time wandering through the temples and exploring the charming streets of Luang Prabang.
About Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is located in northern Laos, set at the meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers and surrounded by lush green hills. Despite its UNESCO status and reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful cities, it’s actually very small, with a population of only around 50,000 people. Once the royal capital of Laos, it remains one of the country’s most historically and culturally significant cities, shaped by centuries of Buddhist tradition that is mixed with a French colonial influence.
We flew directly from Hanoi to Luang Prabang (having first made a bus trip from Sapa in the north straight to the Hanoi airport), making it an easy transition between the two countries. We had specifically chosen to stay at Villa Oasis because of its central location in the historic center, which meant everything we wanted to see was within easy walking distance.
Most of the major temples, restaurants, cafés, and attractions are just a few blocks from one another, making Luang Prabang incredibly easy to explore on foot. For destinations farther outside the city, like Kuang Si Waterfall, tuk-tuks and taxis are plentiful, and you’ll likely be asked more than once if you’d like a ride there!
When we stepped out in the morning to start exploring, it felt like we had stepped into an entirely different world. The pace slowed, the traffic faded, and golden temple roofs seemed to appear around every corner. Instead of the constant buzz of motorbikes, we found very quiet streets, saffron-robed monks, and peaceful courtyards that invited us to slow down and simply take it all in. But it was hot! Very hot. Soooooo hot. Traveling to Southeast Asia during the rainy season is no joke!
National Museum
We began our day at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum in Luang Prabang. Built in 1904 for King Sisavang Vong during the French colonial period, the palace offers a fascinating glimpse into Laos’ royal history. Unlike the grand European palaces we often picture, this residence feels surprisingly modest, blending traditional Lao architecture with subtle French influence.
Before entering, we had to follow a dress code and store our belongings in lockers, which immediately set a respectful tone for the visit. Just before going inside the palace we also had to remove our shoes. Photography isn’t allowed inside, allowing everyone to focus on the experience rather than their cameras. As we wandered through the preserved rooms, we saw everything from the royal family’s living quarters to beautifully decorated reception rooms. My favorite was the impressive throne room, with red and gilded details.
Inside the museum, we wandered through preserved reception rooms, royal living quarters, and displays of ceremonial objects and diplomatic gifts presented to the Lao royal family by countries around the world. It was fun to see the moon rock gifted by the United States during President Richard Nixon’s administration. There’s also an impressive collection of Buddha statues on display. It was really interesting to have this look into the life of the former royalty of Laos. We also learned that the monarchy came to an end in 1975, when the communist Pathet Lao took control of the country and the royal family was removed from power. That is when the palace changed into a museum instead of a royal residence.
Exploring the grounds of the royal museum
There was much more to explore than just the former palace itself. Just outside stands Haw Pha Bang, an exquisitely decorated temple built to house the sacred Phra Bang Buddha. Its shimmering golden exterior, intricate carvings, and multi-tiered roof made it one of the most beautiful buildings we saw in the city.
Nearby, a large bronze statue of King Sisavang Vong overlooks the palace grounds, and we also explored a separate building housing the royal family’s vintage cars alongside beautifully decorated ceremonial chariots used to carry sacred Buddha images during important religious festivals. The peaceful gardens surrounding the palace tied everything together, making it easy to spend quite a bit of time wandering the grounds. On select evenings, the National Theatre on the palace grounds also hosts the Phralak Phralam, a traditional Lao dance performance. Unfortunately, our visit didn’t line up with a performance, but it would be a wonderful addition to any visit. Even so, the palace grounds provided the perfect introduction to Luang Prabang’s royal history and Buddhist traditions.
Walking through a UNESCO world heritage city
After exploring the palace grounds, we set off to wander the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Luang Prabang. In 1995, the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkable preservation and unique blend of traditional Lao architecture and French colonial influences. Walking through the quiet streets, it was easy to see why. Ornate Buddhist temples sit alongside charming colonial buildings, while cafés, boutiques, and family-run guesthouses fill the spaces in between. Despite being one of Laos’ most visited destinations, Luang Prabang has managed to maintain a relaxed, small-town feel.
One of my favorite parts of the city was simply wandering without a plan. Nearly every street seemed to reveal another temple, colorful flowers spilling over garden walls, or a peaceful courtyard tucked away from the road. It felt less like sightseeing and more like slowing down to appreciate the atmosphere. Whether we were admiring the architecture, watching monks quietly move between temples, or stopping for a coffee along the way, Luang Prabang really invites visitors to take their time and enjoy the journey.
Exploring Luang Prabang’s Temples
Leaving the palace grounds, we spent the rest of the day doing exactly what Luang Prabang is best known for- wandering from temple to temple. With more than 30 Buddhist temples scattered throughout the UNESCO-listed old town, it seemed like every few blocks revealed another golden roof peeking above the trees. Rather than following a strict itinerary, we simply explored at our own pace, admiring the unique architecture and peaceful atmosphere each temple had to offer.
One of our first stops was Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, located just across from the Royal Palace Museum. Built in the late 18th century, it once served as the residence of the highest-ranking Buddhist monk in the country, and it’s the largest temple in Luang Prabang.
We continued on to Wat Sensoukharam, one of my favorite temples in the city. The striking combination of deep red walls and brilliant gold trim made it especially memorable.
We also stopped at Wat Wisunarat, the oldest operating temple in Luang Prabang. Originally built in the early 1500s, it has survived centuries of invasions and rebuilding. Nearby stands the distinctive Watermelon Stupa, named for its rounded shape, which has become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
What to expect when visiting a temple
Before visiting Luang Prabang, I pictured each temple as a single building. Instead, I quickly learned that most temple grounds are made up of an entire complex of beautifully decorated structures. In addition to the main worship hall, many include smaller chapels, shrines, monks’ living quarters, libraries for sacred scriptures, bell towers, gardens, and elaborately decorated stupas that hold relics or commemorate important people. Some even feature schools where young monks study and live. Exploring these temple complexes became just as enjoyable as admiring the main buildings themselves, as every corner seemed to reveal another intricate carving, golden roofline, or peaceful courtyard. See the video below to understand what I mean.
Another thing that surprised me was the incredible variety of Buddha statues. I had expected them all to look fairly similar, but each temple seemed to feature dozens of statues in different sizes, materials, and poses. Some were covered in gold leaf, others were carved from wood or stone, and many represented different moments in the Buddha’s life or symbolic gestures known as mudras. Some temples displayed a single large Buddha as the focal point, while others housed collections of hundreds of smaller statues. I found myself slowing down to appreciate the details, realizing there was much more to these temples than their beautiful exteriors.
Wat Xieng Thong
Eventually our walk brought us toward the tip of the peninsula, where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers meet. Sitting between these two rivers is Wat Xieng Thong, widely considered the most important and beautiful temple in Luang Prabang. Built in the 16th century, it is regarded as one of the finest examples of traditional Lao temple architecture. The sweeping rooflines seem to almost touch the ground, while intricate gold stenciling decorates nearly every surface. Around the back of the temple, the famous “Tree of Life” mosaic sparkles with thousands of pieces of colored glass, creating one of the city’s most iconic sights. The surrounding grounds are equally beautiful, with smaller chapels, ornate buildings, and peaceful gardens that encourage visitors to slow down and linger.
Although each temple had its own history and architectural style, what stood out most wasn’t any single building. It was the experience of walking between them. We passed monks quietly sweeping temple courtyards, locals arranging fresh flower offerings or burning incense. That, plus the beautifully preserved French colonial buildings standing alongside centuries-old Buddhist temples, made it such a unique experience. We saw more than just the temples I mentioned above, but rather than go into a lot of details just please enjoy the pictures.
Rivers of Luang Prabang
From the temple grounds, we walked to the confluence of the Mekong River, one of Southeast Asia’s most important waterways, and the smaller Nam Khan River, which winds through the heart of Luang Prabang. The contrast between the two rivers was striking, with each carrying its own distinct color before blending together.
As I mentioned, the Nam Khan River flows alongside the streets of Luang Prabang, and it was beautiful to see with the mountains in the background. Some people opt to take boat rides down the river.
Mount Phousi
Rising above the city, Mount Phousi is one of Luang Prabang’s most recognizable landmarks. The hill is crowned by the golden stupa of Wat Chom Si and offers panoramic views of the city and the meeting of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. We considered making the climb, but with the sweltering heat and more than 300 steps to the summit, we decided to admire it from below instead. Even from the temple grounds, the golden stupa stood out against the lush green hill, making it hard to miss.
Exploring the Morning and Night Markets
One of my favorite things about Southeast Asia is the street markets! Most cities have more than one location for the markets. There are often morning markets and night markets, and in Luang Prabang we experienced both! We came across the morning market as we were wandering the temples. This market caters more to locals than tourists, with vendors selling fresh produce, herbs, spices, flowers, and an incredible variety of fish, meats, and other ingredients used in Lao cooking. It was fascinating to see everyday life unfold as residents stopped to shop for the day’s meals.
After wandering around in the heat all day, we had gone back to the hotel to relax in the a/c. But as the sun began to set, we knew Luang Prabang was about to transform into a much livelier city than we had experienced during the day. In the evening the city’s famous Night Market took over the main street, with rows of red tents stretching through the historic center. It was one of the nicest markets we visited during our time in Southeast Asia. Rather than feeling crowded or chaotic, it had the same relaxed atmosphere as the rest of the city. The market was filled with locally made handicrafts, handwoven textiles, lanterns, artwork, jewelry, and souvenirs, making it a great place to shop for gifts while supporting local artisans.
There was also a large food market nearby where vendors served everything from grilled meats and fresh fruit smoothies to vegetarian noodle dishes, spring rolls, and traditional Lao specialties. We enjoyed wandering through the stalls, sampling local food, and soaking up the lively evening atmosphere. The night market had so much to offer, and it’s also where we had our first experience with a drink we came to love- BeerLao Lemon! It was a great way to spend the evening, wandering the market, trying out food and enjoying a cold drink.
Speaking of Food…
One of my favorite parts of traveling is trying the local cuisine, and Laos didn’t disappoint. While there were plenty of familiar Southeast Asian dishes on restaurant menus, we also discovered several foods that were uniquely Lao.
The standout for me was Lao khao soi. This dish shares a name with the famous Thai dish, but the Lao version is completely different. Instead of a creamy coconut curry like in Thailand, it’s a comforting tomato-based noodle soup, traditionally topped with minced meat. I was lucky enough to find a delicious vegetarian version, and it quickly became one of my favorite meals of the trip. It was rich, flavorful, and had noticeably more spice than many of the dishes we enjoyed in Vietnam.
One of the first things we noticed about Lao cuisine was the abundance of chilies. Fresh peppers were sold at markets throughout the city, and many restaurants kept bowls of fresh chilies, chili pastes, and spicy condiments on the table so diners could customize the heat of their meals. Overall, we found Lao food to be a bit spicier than what we experienced in Vietnam. In addition, being situated along the Mekong River, fresh fish also plays an important role in Lao cuisine. We saw grilled river fish, whole fish cooked over open flames, Lao sausages, skewers of grilled meats, and seafood featured throughout the night market and on restaurant menus. As a vegetarian, I stuck to the plant-based options, but it was interesting to learn more about the foods that define traditional Lao cuisine.
More food in Laos
Sticky rice, or khao niao, is the foundation of nearly every meal in Laos. Served in small woven bamboo baskets, it’s traditionally eaten by hand and accompanies everything from curries to grilled vegetables and spicy salads. Another iconic dish is laap, often considered the national dish of Laos. It’s typically made with minced meat tossed with fresh herbs, lime juice, toasted rice powder, and chilies, though vegetarian versions using mushrooms or tofu are becoming more common. We also saw plenty of tam mak hoong, the Lao version of green papaya salad, known for its bold, spicy, and tangy flavors.
One thing I especially loved about SE Asia in general was the abundance of fresh fruit. Street vendors seemed to be blending smoothies on nearly every corner, and fresh fruit juices and smoothies were available at almost every restaurant we visited or offered during our breakfast. Mango has always been one of my go-to flavors, and after spending the day wandering through temples in the tropical heat, there was nothing more refreshing than a fresh ice-cold mango smoothie.
Between the fresh fruit, flavorful noodle soups, spicy local specialties, and bustling markets, every meal became another memorable part of our time in Laos. Whether you’re an adventurous eater or have dietary restrictions like I do, Luang Prabang offers plenty of opportunities to experience the country’s unique and flavorful cuisine.
More in Luang Prabang
One destination we heard about constantly throughout the day was Kuang Si Waterfall. Everywhere we walked, tuk-tuk drivers asked if we wanted a ride there, making it clear that it’s one of the area’s most popular excursions. Although we didn’t have time to visit on this trip, its turquoise pools cascading through the jungle look absolutely stunning, and it’s at the top of my list for a future visit.
Another iconic experience we chose not to do was the early morning alms giving ceremony, often referred to as the monk walk. Before sunrise, hundreds of monks dressed in their saffron robes silently walk through the streets as local residents offer them sticky rice and other food. While visitors are welcome to observe respectfully from a distance, it’s first and foremost a sacred daily tradition rather than a tourist attraction. Even without witnessing it ourselves, learning about its significance gave us an even greater appreciation for the role Buddhism plays in everyday life throughout Luang Prabang.
Final Thoughts
Laos, and Luang Prabang in particular, offered something completely different from our time in Vietnam. Luang Prabang isn’t about checking famous landmarks off a list. Instead, it’s about slowing down and appreciating the atmosphere. While the temples were undeniably beautiful, the history fascinating, and the architecture stunning, what stayed with me most was the city’s sense of peace. After the energy of Vietnam, wandering through quiet temple grounds and peaceful streets was exactly the change of pace we didn’t know we needed.
After Luang Prabang we visited two other cities in Laos- Vang Vieng and Vientiane, stay tuned for my next blog post about those cities. Catch you soon!
-Catching Katie
