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Spending Christmas away from family for the first time can feel bittersweet, but my partner and I decided to embrace the season in a new way, by creating our own traditions in Luang Prabang: Holiday Escape in Laos. To our surprise, this UNESCO-listed city had more holiday cheer than we expected, with market stalls selling Santa outfits, twinkling decorations throughout town, and a festive evening hosted by The Grand Luang Prabang where we stayed. This was all set against the stunning backdrop of the Mekong River and sunny December days, it was the perfect mix of holiday spirit and adventure we could ask for.
If you’re planning a Southeast Asia trip, this guide is my gift to you, don’t skip out on including Luang Prabang in your plans. Even a scrooge could get behind a festive getaway in Laos!
Luang Prabang: Holiday Escape In Laos Table Of Contents
Before Your Luang Prabang: Holiday Escape
 Flight |  Stay |  Do |  Drive |
| Trip.com | Agoda | Klook | Rentalcars.com |
| Apply For Your Visa In Advance | Save time and hassle by applying for your Laos visa before arrival. It’s a simple process that spares you from filling out paperwork, waiting in long lines when you land, and ensuring you have the correct amount of cash on hand. Apply for your Laos e-VISA |
| Get A Local SIM Card At The Airport | Many eSIM providers don’t cover Laos, and if they do, the service is unreliable. Grab a local SIM directly from the airport for seamless connectivity and set-up during your trip. |
| Buy Train Tickets 3 Days In Advance | Train tickets in Laos go on sale three days before departure at 6:30 AM and sell out often on the same day. I used the LCR Ticket App iPhone & Android but note that setting up an account requires a phone number from Thailand, Laos, or China to receive the verification code. A major red flag: Some online providers sell train tickets as intermediaries but don’t guarantee availability. Their sites often state that tickets are not fully confirmed until three days before departure when they attempt to secure them for you. While I am not saying they are a scam, they also can’t be used to rely on train travel. |
| Be Cautious When Riding Scooters | Laos’ roads can be rough, unpaved, and bumpy. If you plan to rent a scooter, exercise extra caution to ensure a safe ride. |
Where To Stay In Luang Prabang
| ❤️ BEST LUANG PRABANG HOTEL FOR… | Luang Prabang: Holiday Escape In Laos Hotels |
| ⭐Best Luxury Hotel | The Grand Luang Prabang Once a prince’s palace, this upscale riverfront hotel offers shuttles into town, a fitness studio, a pool, and a breakfast buffet with plenty of options. Book Your Stay At The Grand Luang Prabang |
| 🏨Best Mid-range Hotel | Luang Prabang Museum Inn A boutique option that includes a tasty breakfast, lovely rooms and Mr. Steve, a stand up guy ready to ensure you have the best stay here. Book Your Stay At Luang Prabang Museum Inn |
| 🚪Best Budget Hotel | The Jam A social, affordable stay in a central location with a beautiful poolside area perfect for lounging or making friends. Book At The Jam Mad Monkey Popular Southeast Asia hostel brand that stays consistent with comfortable accommodation and a social atmosphere. Book At Mad Monkey |
Find even more hotels to suit your needs using Agoda.
Must-See Attractions In Luang Prabang
Cultural & Historical
Witness The Morning Alms Ceremony (Sai Bat)
A deeply rooted Buddhist tradition, the morning alms ceremony happens daily at sunrise (around 5:30-5:45 AM). Locals and tourists line the streets to offer food to the saffron-clad monks, creating a peaceful and spiritual start to the day.
This happens throughout the city but there are two areas that provide various perks.
- Popular / Tourist – Google “Alms Giving Ceremony in Luang Prabang“, this is the street where most of the iconic pics that brought you to Luang Prabang are taken.
- Local / Authentic – Come to the corner of “ALLIANZ Luang Prabang” at 5:30 AM to experience a more local view of Monk Sia Bat. come here at 5:30am
To dive even deeper, consider booking a alms ceremony tour with a local for more insight on the practice and its importance to the culture and community in Laos.
Catch Sunrise From Phou Si Hill
For an unforgettable sunrise, hike to the top of Phou Si Hill. While many visit for sunset, locals recommend the morning to avoid crowds. There’s a small entry fee, but the panoramic views are worth it.
Visit Luang Prabang’s Stunning Temples
With over 30 temples in the city, don’t miss these three:
- Wat Xieng Thong – The most famous temple, known for its intricate mosaics and golden details.
- Wat Mai – Located near the Royal Palace, this temple is a blend of grandeur and tranquility.
- Wat Visounnarath – One of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang, featuring a unique lotus-shaped stupa.
Outdoor & Nature
- One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Laos, surrounded by lush forest about a 45 minute ride from Luang Prabang. While more touristy compared to Tad See, the main falls are breathtaking and perfect for a dip but expect a crowd to watch you. Buy a roundtrip mini bus ticket.
- From the ticket office they drive you on a mini shuttle bus to the entrance of the falls passing through a small village.
- A short hike (540 steps / about 20 mins at a steady pace) leads to another pool area that is smaller, quieter but less impressive. Bugs stung us here as it’s more shaded.
- A quieter alternative with pools to swim in that is about a 30 minute ride from the city center.
- It is best visited during the rainy season when water levels are higher and in the afternoon when the tours have ended for the day.
- We rode our scooter here and paid for parking, walked to the edge of the river and paid for our entrance fee which includes a short boat ride to where the waterfall is located.
- Bring or buy snacks in the area before you hop on the boat as there are no food vendors in the falls, which I personally enjoyed as it made this feel even less touristy.
- Make this a full day adventure that includes kayaking and biking with this Tad Sea Adventure Tour.
Cruise Along The Mekong River
A Mekong River cruise is a must. Options range from simple boat rides to sunset and dinner cruises. Watching the golden hues reflect on the water is pure magic.
Check timings and book your dinner sunset cruise.
Explore The Pak Ou Caves
Take a scenic boat ride to these famous caves, home to thousands of Buddha statues. The journey along the Mekong adds to the experience. This Half Day Pak Ou Tour includes kayaking for a fun day out.
Local Experiences Worth Trying
Give Back At Big Brother Mouse Center
A great way to connect with locals, Big Brother Mouse is a community lead initiative lets travelers help Laotian students practice their English. There are a few ways to show your support and the community highlight in Laos that I wish I could have done more during my stay in Luang Prabang.
- English practice times are from 9am-11am or 5pm to 7pm.
- If you want to volunteer for the day in a village school, arrive at 9am sharp. An optional donation of $10 is suggested to cover the cost of fuel and food. You return back into the city at 4pm.
- Visit the center and make a purchase or attend one of their events. (Always changing)
Shop And Eat At The Morning & Night Markets
The morning market is a great spot for fresh produce and local snacks, while the night market (6 PM – 11 PM) offers handicrafts, souvenirs, and street food. If you are a foodie like me, consider adding the below food activities to your itinerary.
Get Hands-on At An Organic Farm
Similar to the Old Phuket Farm experience I had in Phuket, visitors at The Living Land Farm can learn about rice farming and traditional agriculture.
Check availability at The Living Land Farm
Relax At A Laos Spa & Sauna
Unwind with a traditional Lao massage, body scrub, or facial at a fraction of Western prices.
Where To Eat In Luang Prabang
| Bamboo Café – ຮ້ານກາເຟ ແບມບູ່ | Lovely little spot to grab food either on your way to or from Kruang Se falls and enjoy a meal among the rice fields in decorative huts. |
| C’est La Vie | A riverside café serving brunch and homemade ice cream. |
| Bamboo Garden | Delicious and popular spot for authentic Laotian cuisine. |
| Saffron Coffee | The best place for ethically sourced, locally grown coffee. |
| 525 The Terrace | Cute bar along the river perfect for sunset drinks. |
| Aromdee Nature Shop (Coffee & Natural Products) | Coffee shop that supports local agriculture communities and rural areas. |
Useful Laos Travel Resources
This Luang Prabang: holiday escape in Laos article just keeps giving. As an added bonus, below are a few useful resources to build out your trip in Laos even more including a tourist map that will be worth adding to your Google Maps collection.
Laos Girl Takes Mundo Google Map
Add even more destinations in Asia during your trip!
Discover more destinations in my Travel Guides Section for destinations like Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand.
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