Hike up from Sisavong Road in the centre more than 328 steps to Mount Phousi and visit Wat Phra That Chomsi, built in 1804 by King Anourathurath. From the terrace below the golod stupa (that) you have a panoramic view of the more than 30 temples in the town with gold-leaved roofs and the hills with dense forest around. Every time when the monks are pounding on their drums, you will feel as you were in meditation. Or watch the sunset over the Mekong River from here! A legend surrounds Mount Phou Si, it’s about a deep pit that led to the centre of the earth. Read, why the drums, gong and cymbals are beaten every three hours at nearby Wat Thum Thao.
South of Mount Phousi: Nam Khan River, newer parts of the town and mountains.
Northeast of Mount Phousi: Old town and Mekong river.
Buddha on Mount Phousi at Wat Chom Si
Go down now on the staircase to Phousi Road. you will come to Wat Tham Phu Si, a small cave temple, and Wat Phra Bat Nua, where you discover a yard long footprint of the Buddha.
Tad Kuang Si waterfall: Around 30 kilometres south of Luang Prabang you find this series of falls and many pools to swim in. Two buses a day (11.30 am and 1.30 pm) bring you there. You can also do a three hours trekking from the Hmong Village Ban Lang Lao to the springs of Tad Kuang Si with Greendiscoverylaos.com
Bears! Of course not dangerous for you, because they are behind a wire mesh fence. The Asiatic Black bears live at the "Free the bears rescue centre" near Tad Kuang Si, 30 kilometres south of Luang Prabang. These bears have been confiscated from poachers and traffickers. The money for their life comes from the Australian Fund Free the Bears.
Tad Sae waterfall: Go south on the road N 13 for 15 kilometers. After you have arrived in the village Bana Enesavan you hire a motor boat. After around ten minutes on the Nam Khan River you arrive at the waterfall. Tadsae has astonishing emerald water. The waterfall has three steps. From the first you walk 10 minutes to the second step, from there to the third you walk another 20 minutes. There are Ton Nong and Xang Hong trees (the elephant crying trees). Locals say, when a leave of this tree falls onto an elephant, he feels pain and cries. You can see the elephants bahting in the morning at noon and in the afternoon. Of course you can ride the elephants too.
You can also take a cycling tour from Luang Prabang to the waterfall.
Or you can do an one-hour elephant ride to the waterfall, starting at the Tiger Trail Elephant Camp. Read what The Guardian wrote obout the camp.
The Tiger Trail Elephant Camp Video:
Pak Ou Caves: In these two caves in a limestone cliff on the Mekong more than 4000 statues of Buddhas have been placed by pilgrims during the centuries. Tham Ting is some metres above the river. For Tham Phum you have to climb 226 stairs and then you need a torch, because this cave is dark. Read the wonderful adventures of Denise in the Pak Ou Caves.
Tham Ting above the Mekong
More than 4000 statues...
Entrance to Tham Phum. Look inside through the pictures of Khanh
Ban Xang Hai: This village on the Mekong, at the mouth of the Ou river, on the way from Luang Prabang to Pak Ou, is known for its rice whisky distillation. Before the people here crafted stoneware jars. Read about the stoneware kilns of the Middle Mekong region here. See Khanh's Gallery. There was a lot of change in the last years, before there were wood houses, now a lot of brick houses and many shops for tourists.
Silk Shop in Bang Xang Hai
Because Pak Ou Caves are around 20 kilometres north from Luang Prabang, you have first to take a trip, either on the street along the Mekong or on a boat. Here you get some impressions from the boat trip:
Mekong boats in Luang Prabang, waiting for you
The hills on the side of the Mekong are hidden in the mist, when you start in the morning. With the sun comes the blue sky.
There are some obstacles in the river, sometimes also trees float down the Mekong. So the boat drivers must be attentive.
Mountains in the background - Laos is rich of them
Shangri Lao Classic Explorer Camp & Expedition: Re-live the footsteps of French explorer Dr. P. Neis in the 19th century along tranquil streams and through dense jungle: You stay in a luxury tent camp (with spa, pool and jacuzzi) at the Nam Khan River near Ban Xieng Lom. There is an elephant village (with map) and with the elephants or without you do treks into the nature. See a video.
Chomphet Trek:
Explore Luang Prabang's rural life on this two-day trek into the hills of Chomphet district across the Mekong River. You pass green forests, farmers' fields, rivers, a cave and villages of three ethnic groups: Ban Houaypong, a Khamu Rok village, Ban Phuluang Tai, a Hmong community, and Ban Som, an idyllic Lao Loum village. First you drive by boat up the Mekong tu Muang Kham. Read more. You can also do a bike tour in the area. The Chomphet Hobo Map shows you the way.
Chomphet Walk: You take the car ferry from Luang Prabang across the Mekong river and start your walk on the other side of the river in Ban Xieng Mene. Read Chomphet Hike, Luang Prabang, Laos. Don't miss Wat Chomphet. Climbing the 123 steps up is well worth it. Built in 1888 by the Thais, it offers a stunning panorama view of the surrounding hills, the Mekong river and Luang Prabang town. At the top of the staircase are two stupas that house the bones of the wives of one of the former kings of Laos.
Ban Nayang Tai: With a 3 to 4 hours drive from Luang Prabang you reach Ban Nayang Tai - a traditional Tai Lue silk weaving village. Wooden houses are built on stilts and the women are spinning and weaving underneath their homes The tour is described by Kat Pegi Mana. Read also the story at Indigo Lion. You could also stay in nearby Nam Bak, in Saynambak Guesthouse.
Night Market: Sisavangrong road, the main road, turns every day from 5 pm to 11 pm into a Night Market, selling a large variety of local textiles and ethnic handicrafts. From diamonds to silk, opium pipes, artists
Morning fresh Market: On the west side of Royal Palace. Everything from pythons to silkworms, as you can read and see on mmm-yoso!!!
Phosy Market: The biggest market of Luang Prabang. You reach it by a ten minutes tuk-tuk ride out of the town. You find household items, clothes (in chinese style) and all kind of food, the products come from Laos, Thailand and China. Open every day from 7 am to 5 pm.
Chinese Market: On the street to Vientiane, across from the bus station. Here the merchants speak Chinese.
Darat Market: Uscale shops.
Hmong Market: On the corner across from the Phousi Hotel and Post Office, the handicraft market with quilted bags, pillow cases and bed spreads made mostly by Hmong. It is open during the day (the vendors then move to the night market after 5pm).
